Santo Tomas de Castilla See, Eat and Shop
Mexico may get all the ink, but Guatemala is just as rich with Maya ruins. This UNESCO World Heritage Site on the southeastern coast stretches across 34 hectares (84 acres) to encompass a dizzying array of stone monuments, dwellings and...
At the entrance of Lake Izabal stands a stone citadel. Built in the mid-1600s by the Spanish, the imposing structure thwarted thieving pirates from attacking the lake, which was used as a storage facility for transport goods. El Castillo de San...
Guatemala's wild jungle interior is filled with adventure. Guided hikes wind through tropical flora and end up at crystalline waterfalls. There are more than 400 species of birds—including toucans and parrots—in this...
Banana production is Santo Tomás de Castilla's marquee industry. Production of bananas for the Chiquita company began in the region in the 1870s. Today, it packages more than 3 billion pounds of bananas a year. A visit to the plant shows...
Also called Matías de Gálvez, Santo Tomás de Castilla has been functioning as a leisure cruise port since 2004. Whatever you call the coastal town, it was once under Belgian rule. The European influence is most notable in the...
Garifuna culture is the big draw of this town positioned on the Dulce River. Descended from African, Island Carib and Arawak people, the Garifuna have populated this river port for more than 200 years. Rasta Mesa, a community center of sorts,...
Housed in a boutique hotel of the same name, this restaurant offers amazing water views and authentic regional cuisine. Breakfast is the best bet. Lunch and dinner menus are heavy on seafood—the ceviche, fish chowder and local bass are...
Considered the best restaurant in the eastern part of the country, this waterfront eatery, set in the Amatique Bay Resort & Marina in Puerto Barrios, showcases fusion preparations of traditional Guatemalan, Garifuna and Caribbean favorites....
Colorful embroidery, beadwork and handwoven textiles are hallmark souvenirs from Guatemala. Browse among the crafts as well as artwork, clothing and household items at this hyperlocal market in the Old Zone of Puerto Barrios, also known as Zone 1....
For an excellent array of locally crafted keepsakes, hit the Artisans' Market conveniently located inside the cruise terminal. While the handicrafts are traditionally created, the setting is a little more sterilized for visitors. Credit cards are...
