Puerto Quetzal is the largest Pacific Ocean port in Guatemala. It is important both as a stop-off point for cruise liners and cargo traffic. Puerto Quetzal is located in the Escuintla department, alongside Puerto San Jose city, which it replaced as a port in importance to the country’s maritime traffic during the 20th century.
We took a Panama Canal Cruise and visited Guatemala and Antigua, a Spanish colonial capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site Guatemala is a fascinating country bordered by Mexico to the north and Honduras to the south while also bordering Belize and El Salvador plus two oceans.
There is a market (jade museum) and vendor stalls selling locally-made souvenirs and traditional crafts at the cruise terminal. There are also cafe bars, a restaurant, live music band performances.
The market showed that Mayan craftsmanship, including elaborate weavings, decorative stitching, and ceremonial masks, was everywhere. Mayan Paintings of local scenes and Mayan children and wood carvings were unique. There were various handmade items of traditional ponchos and caps, pashmina-like shawls, purses, pillows, and scarfs. So colorful, so beautifully hand made.
We planned to visit La Antigua and make a few stops along the way. We stopped at a roadside local fruit market along the highway. We passed a hillside coffee plantation build on volcanic soil.
We stopped at Valhalla Experimental Station Farm in San Miguel Duenas. Macadamia Nut Farm is a not-for-profit organization that gives macadamia nut trees to the local people and teaches them how to grow and harvest macadamia nuts to help them earn money.
Completely eco-friendly the owner has developed machinery to process the macadamia nuts without electricity and share his knowledge and encouragement to the local people.
Along the way to Antigua, we stopped at a small Indigenous Village; we saw a Textile presentation and collection of Hulpil shirts and blouses. A Mayan woman weaving a blanket.
On the road to Antigua, visitors will pass through a rugged mountain range and three remarkable volcanic peaks before the city emerges through the trees. The colorfully painted buildings, with interior patios filled with fountains, flowers, and benches to sit and rest your feet are delightful.
The best way to experience Guatemala is to visit Antigua, a Spanish colonial capital, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is so much to explore and so many things to do in Antigua, filled with museums, parks, shops, and restaurants. Best explored on foot, especially for passengers on a Panama Canal cruise who want to take their time absorbing and taking photos of Baroque architecture, Antigua will pull you in with her natural history and beauty.
La Merced Church, decorated with lacy white stonework, was originally a male monastery. In 1749, Juan de Dios Estrada was commissioned with the construction of the luxurious sanctuary and cloister. It was opened in 1767. The town’s central Plaza is Plaza de Arms. The Plaza is filled with trees and plants and with benches to rest on and enjoy the city. The fountain is the central point and quite beautiful and large.
Antigua is a growing tourist destination in Guatemala as it is close to Guatemala City but is much calmer and safer, with more tourist-oriented activities. It is possible to take buses from Antigua to many parts of Guatemala. We enjoyed our visit to Guatemala and Antigua; it was awesome.
