Cruises to Puerto Quetzal (Antigua)

367 Reviews
Puerto Quetzal (Antigua) (Photo:loneroc/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Puerto Quetzal (Antigua)

Puerto Quetzal -- a Guatemalan port that serves as the jumping-off point for Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the nearest town of interest, some 90 minutes away -- doesn't seem like much at first, but it can be a great option for anyone who needs a break from the hustle and bustle of the usual stops on a Panama Canal or South America itinerary.

Antigua is a lovely Spanish colonial city, easily walkable and quite charming. There are several churches to peek into, museums to browse, cafes to grab a bite at, and, if you're there in late winter you'll catch the gorgeous jacarandas in bloom. If you choose to stay in port instead of taking the long ride to Antigua, prepare for a slow-paced and pleasant day of shopping for colorful, reasonably priced trinkets; there's not much else to do.

Depending on where you dock, the view from your ship will either be industrial with tankers and cargo ships in your line of site, or scenic, with an adorable marina situated in front of the welcome center. You'll find shops and restaurants at the welcome center. Beyond that, as the maitre d' on our sailing slightly overstated, "it's Jurassic Park."

Despite its prefabricated nature and rows upon rows of vendors selling baubles and cheap mementos, the Jurassic Park-ness is precisely what makes Puerto Quetzal feel less forced and less commercial than some other ports.

  • More about Puerto Quetzal (Antigua)

  • Why Cruise to Puerto Quetzal (Antigua)?

  • Puerto Quetzal (Antigua) Cruise Port Facilities?

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15 Nights

Panama Canal

Port: San Diego • Cabo San Lucas • Puerto Vallarta • Huatulco • Puerto Quetzal • Puntarenas • +5 more

591 reviews
Apr 6, 2024
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
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20 Nights

Transcanal Cruise

Port: Vancouver • Victoria • San Francisco • Puerto Vallarta • Puerto Quetzal • Puntarenas • +4 more

1,020 reviews
Sep 24, 2024
Princess Cruises
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15 Nights

Repo - Panama Canal

Port: Los Angeles • Cabo San Lucas • Puerto Vallarta • Manzanillo • Puerto Quetzal • Puntarenas • +4 more

1,408 reviews
Dec 6, 2024
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
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16 Nights

Transcanal Cruise

Port: San Francisco • Puerto Vallarta • Puerto Quetzal • Puntarenas • Fuerte Amador • +3 more

1,020 reviews
Sep 28, 2024
Princess Cruises
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Cruise Critic Favorite

21 Nights

Panama Canal

Port: Vancouver • San Francisco • San Diego • Puerto Vallarta • Huatulco • Puerto Chiapas • +7 more

964 reviews
Sep 29, 2024
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
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66 Nights

World Cruise

Port: Fort Lauderdale • Cartagena • Panama Canal • Puntarenas • Puerto Quetzal • Puerto Vallarta • +18 more

1,228 reviews
Jan 5, 2025
Princess Cruises
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16 Nights

Panama Canal

Port: San Diego • Puerto Vallarta • Huatulco • Puerto Chiapas • Puerto Quetzal • Puntarenas • +4 more

1,201 reviews
Oct 10, 2024
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
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15 Nights

Repo - Panama Canal

Port: Miami • Cartagena • Colon • Panama Canal • Puntarenas • Puerto Quetzal • Manzanillo • +3 more

1,408 reviews
Feb 22, 2025
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
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21 Nights

Repo - Panama Canal

Port: Seattle • San Francisco • Los Angeles • Cabo San Lucas • Puerto Vallarta • Manzanillo • +8 more

426 reviews
Oct 13, 2024
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
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15 Nights

Panama Canal - Miami

Port: Miami • Cartagena • Panama Canal • Panama City • Puerto Quetzal • Acapulco • Puerto Vallarta • +3 more

496 reviews
Nov 30, 2024
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
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15 Nights

Panama Canal - Miami

Port: Miami • Cartagena • Panama Canal • Panama City • Puntarenas • Puerto Quetzal • Manzanillo • +3 more

496 reviews
Mar 29, 2025
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
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Cruise Critic Favorite

16 Nights

Transcanal Cruise

Port: San Francisco • Puerto Vallarta • Puerto Quetzal • Puntarenas • Fuerte Amador • +3 more

1,032 reviews
Jan 20, 2025
Princess Cruises
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25 Nights

Repo - Panama Canal

Port: Tampa • Cartagena • Colon • Panama Canal • Puntarenas • San Juan • Puerto Quetzal • +10 more

2,044 reviews
Apr 3, 2025
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
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20 Nights

Panama Canal

Port: Vancouver • Santa Barbara • San Diego • Puerto Vallarta • Huatulco • Puerto Chiapas • +6 more

1,201 reviews
Oct 6, 2024
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
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14 Nights

Panama Canal

Port: Fort Lauderdale • Cartagena • Panama Canal • Panama Canal • Puntarenas • Puerto Quetzal • +3 more

1,201 reviews
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
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More about Puerto Quetzal (Antigua)

Why Cruise to Puerto Quetzal (Antigua)?

Pros:

Nearby Antigua boasts volcanoes, museums and stunning architecture

Cons:

The port itself is purpose-built for cruisers; enterprising and pushy locals all sell similar wares

Bottom Line:

There's fun to be had, but it requires leaving the immediate port area

Puerto Quetzal (Antigua) Cruise Port Facilities?

If you're at the cruise terminal, all you need do is walk off your ship, and you'll pass over an open-grate bridge as you make your way to a small visitors' center, which offers local information, shore tour sign-ups, a desk that sells postcards and stamps, and performances by local musicians. Just outside, you'll find a compilation of wooden signs that serve as a directory to various areas like shops, restrooms and restaurants. Cruisers docked at the cargo pier will need to take a courtesy shuttle to the passenger terminal. The shuttle runs every 10 minutes or so.

Good to Know?

Persistent locals can try your patience if you just want to stroll around the shops inside the visitors' center to browse without buying. They'll use high-pressure sales tactics, but a firm "no, thank you" or no, gracias usually does the trick. Also beware that prices are rarely posted on items; it's a sign that haggling is fair game. Never accept the initial price a salesperson quotes you, unless the prices are clearly marked on items from the start. If you can withstand the pressure to buy immediately, don't feel bad about checking prices elsewhere before making a purchase. Sales tactics are much less fierce in Antigua, where street vendors might follow you for a bit but will take no for an answer and vendors inside the Old Cinema Market barely try to sell you at all.

Getting Around?

The best (and most affordable) way to do get around is by booking a shore excursion. You'll also find local guides selling excursions at the visitors' center. Taxis are available, but because Antigua is 90 minutes away, they can be pricey.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The official monetary unit in Guatemala is the quetzal (named after the country's official bird), but American dollars can be used throughout Puerto Quetzal, as well as in Antigua. Be sure to have small bills available, as change might not be given back to you in U.S. currency. Also be sure that your dollars are free from even the slightest rips or tears, or they might be refused by shop owners. Credit cards are not generally accepted. If you run low on cash, an ATM is available at the welcome center.

Language?

Spanish is the primary language spoken throughout Guatemala, but most folks working in the port speak at least some English. It's still a good idea to study up on common phrases and numbers, download a translation app to your smartphone or carry a phrasebook. In Antigua, restaurant waitstaff speak some English, but most others do not.

Where You're Docked?

Puerto Quetzal has room for two cruise ships at the Marina Pez Vela: one at the cruise terminal and one at the cargo pier.


Puerto Quetzal (Antigua) Cruise Reviews
Since we don’t know much about rum, we took the Guatemalan Rum-Aged in the Clouds and Sightseeing tour which started with a very long bus ride to Antigua where we were shuttled to a jade factory (a.k.a. another jewelRead More
disudds
Did beer tasting and walk in Antigua. Antigua is well worth visitingtRead More
Herbdonna
This was our favorite port visit. The people of Guatemala were incredibly welcoming and positive. The poverty here is tremendous, yet. There were lots of smiles and clear happiness. We really enjoyed our visit to oldRead More
tnsdean
Antigua was wonderful, as long as you don't mind the long bus ride there and back. We appreciated having a tour guide while visiting Antigua, but we would have liked more time on our own. Guatemala was nicer than I eRead More
MkeCruzn

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