Santo Tomas de Castilla - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Ziggy7 · 12-10-2005, 08:32 AM

I have never been to this port in Guatemala, is there much in the way of shops, crafts, booths, bars, etc. around the dock area or is it pretty limited?

Anyone with any info. on this port ?

lucaslaw · 02-08-2006, 08:44 AM

:thumbsdow Just got back from there. It was terrible. The port is an industrial port. The water is brown, floating trash, and other debris throughout.

The port has a large garage type building with vendors inside. No car rental or scooters available. A taxi to take you somewhere will cost about $60.00 one way.

We went on a shore excursion to a four star resort for $69.00. It was very depressing. The beach was nasty. The water was disgusting. The beer was $5.00 a bottle. The only thing we got was a nice swimming pool.

This was the worst "caribbean" port I have ever seen. Maybe the rainforest tours would be okay or just stay onboard.

FlRic · 02-08-2006, 09:32 AM

When we were there we went on a Rio Dulce tour that was quite nice and very informative. While on the river we saw dugouts actually being used, then had lunch at a very nice restaurant before going on to tour some ruins. An all day affair but very nice and very senic both in the morning on the river and in the afternoon on land. Most of the other passengers we spoke to who did not go on that tour did not enjoy themselves nearly as much as we had.

Skeets · 03-16-2006, 04:22 PM

We returned 3/4/06. We did the NCL Escoba Waterfall tour and enjoyed it! It's a 25-30 minute bus ride to the area, then a hike up to the area where you can swim in the pool below a waterfall. If you go, wear old tennis shoes to go into the water...the edge is little stones and rocks. The water was cold, but very refreshing after the mostly uphill hike through the rain forest along the river. The dock area was mostly a commercial loading area. There is a large building with local handicrafts, jewelry and t shirts. You can get a cold beer or soda and snacks (for a lot less than on the ship!). When we were there, they had folk dancers and music which we enjoyed while sipping said cold drink! We didn't see any debris in the water, but after the day's excursion and back onboard, we enjoyed sitting aft and watching them load a ship with those huge containers that you see semi trucks carrying. At dinner that night, we talked with people who had done the Amatique Bay excursion and loved it, too.

lucaslaw · 03-16-2006, 10:32 PM

It's great to hear a good report after my bad one. If I ever have to go back there I will go inland and do the rainforrest.