csaeroach Posted February 11, 2013 #1 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Anyone been to Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala recently who can provide information on how safe you felt at this port? We are there in March and I am unsure if we will get off the ship, as I have read some reviews that are not so great, and needing armored soldiers for the excursions? Is this still the case, as I would not feel very comfortable with this, but really do not want to spend the day on the ship. If I was going to book a tour, I would only book with Carnival and do the "Antigua, On Your Own" excursion and hiring a guide when we got to Antigua. Anyone share any information who might of done this recently, and let us know what the situation is like there now, and if this is still the case for this port? thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xbatt8 Posted February 11, 2013 #2 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I hope you get an answer to this. I am looking at the beach trip and also wonder about safety. They say that there is a security guard on the bus with you..... :eek: Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisedreamer1 Posted February 22, 2013 #3 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I noticed that you have sailed on the 4 day trip to Ensenada. Did you enjoy the cruise? Excursions? Any must does on the ship itself? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Azulann Posted March 2, 2013 #4 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Was in Port Questzal in December. It has one of the nicest ports areas for cruise ships. Lots of shops, vendor stalls, cafes, and wifi. Very clean and easy, just walk off the ship. We took a DIY trip to Antiqua. You will be dropped off at a tourist information area. Nice bathrooms, again vendor stalls and here you hire a local guide for walking tour of Antiqua. The four of us paid $10.00USD a piece. Toured Santo Domingo hotel which is embedded in the ruins of a old monastary. Went to local coffee bar and bought great coffee beans, had a lunch at a lcoal cafe overlooking the main square, had time to shop and back to the torist site for our ride back to the ship. We told our quide these were the things we wanted to do. Miquel was a young man aobut 35, spoke very good English and really was so informative aobut his town and his country. We learned alot aobut the beautiful colonial town of Antiqua. The one hour ride, takes you close to three volcanoes, through sugar cane plantations, and you get to see some of the smaller towns. It was perfectly safe, others on our cruise even did private tours and they had a good time. I would stay with the ship tour just because if there is any traffic delay on the one and only highway, it could be a problem if your private tour is late. Enjoy this port of call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anboricua76 Posted March 2, 2013 #5 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Azulann, thank you for the review. I think that is exactly what we will be doing, two more weeks and we will be on our way. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Azulann Posted March 3, 2013 #6 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Have a wonderful cruise, and come back and tell us about your port adventures.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachnut53 Posted March 3, 2013 #7 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Thanks for the details of the walking tour...we have also booked that tour. We're you able to use US dollars for your purchases and lunch or was local currency required? Other than coffee were there any good local linens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Azulann Posted March 4, 2013 #8 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Yes, you can use USD. You will see lots of great linens. Guatemala is noted for its home made cotton. Tell your guide you are interested in seeing a store that sells what you are are looking for. Most vendors had beautiful tablecloths, placemats, shirts, bags, purses, evens shoes all made in stunning colors and many patterns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted March 5, 2013 #9 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Azulan, Did it appear the traffic back to Port from Antigua was so-ooo slow that only the Ship's motorcoach would assure not being left at the Pier? I've seen YouTube Video of near-gridlock. From snowy Minnesnowta. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrokitty Posted April 6, 2013 #10 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Azulann: /we leave next week on Celebrity Infinity PAnama Canal cruise. I am very interested in Antigua as it is a UNESCO site but I am concerned about the walking. I have difficulty walking uphill and on uneven surfaces like cobblestones. How was the walking and are there places to sit and rest. Also, I saw pictures of school buses driving up the mountain..is it very steep drive? I have held off booking excursion till we board but I'd rather have your opinion than the tour director. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisedreamer1 Posted April 6, 2013 #11 Share Posted April 6, 2013 We did the do it yourself trip with the cruise line and the walking is very easy in Antigua. There are plenty of places to rest. I would say it was easy walking and no hills in the downtown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlondeKajun Posted April 6, 2013 #12 Share Posted April 6, 2013 We just went in February. We did a coffee plantation tour. We did not feel unsafe the entire time in port, had a great day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrokitty Posted April 8, 2013 #13 Share Posted April 8, 2013 We did the do it yourself trip with the cruise line and the walking is very easy in Antigua. There are plenty of places to rest. I would say it was easy walking and no hills in the downtown. Thanks cruisedreamer....because of this thread I am going to book the do it yourself tour with Celebrity as well. This is what's so great about CC and TA....I probably would not book this trip if it weren't for the information you all provided me. Thanks a bunch:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knobcreek Posted August 27, 2013 #14 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Was in Port Questzal in December.It has one of the nicest ports areas for cruise ships. Lots of shops, vendor stalls, cafes, and wifi. Very clean and easy, just walk off the ship. We took a DIY trip to Antiqua. You will be dropped off at a tourist information area. Nice bathrooms, again vendor stalls and here you hire a local guide for walking tour of Antiqua. The four of us paid $10.00USD a piece. Toured Santo Domingo hotel which is embedded in the ruins of a old monastary. Went to local coffee bar and bought great coffee beans, had a lunch at a lcoal cafe overlooking the main square, had time to shop and back to the torist site for our ride back to the ship. We told our quide these were the things we wanted to do. Miquel was a young man aobut 35, spoke very good English and really was so informative aobut his town and his country. We learned alot aobut the beautiful colonial town of Antiqua. The one hour ride, takes you close to three volcanoes, through sugar cane plantations, and you get to see some of the smaller towns. It was perfectly safe, others on our cruise even did private tours and they had a good time. I would stay with the ship tour just because if there is any traffic delay on the one and only highway, it could be a problem if your private tour is late. Enjoy this port of call. Apprieciate the info. Going over thanksgiving holidays...looking forward to it...Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Azulann Posted September 8, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Linda, How wonderful. I just loved the 15 cruise thru the canal and all the ports of call. Be sure to come back and post on this page yur experience of Guatemala. This forum can be very slow at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Blue Posted September 14, 2013 #16 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Just wanted to add that I was on the Infinity Panama Canal cruise this past April and did the self guided Antigua tour through the ship. It was a really wonderful day. We didn't hire a guide but saw quite a bit on our own. The highlight was the Cathedral de Santiago and ruins - very beautiful. We also had some local cuisine at a restaurant nearby off the main square. And we went by the market where they sell textiles, paintings etc. We felt safe the entire time. There was a security guard of sorts with a shotgun at the information center where they dropped us off but that was as close as we got to any armed guards. The only odd experience we had was the motor coach broke down on the road to Antigua. We had to sit for a bit and wait for another bus to come so we could transfer over. Then on the way back to ship the driver apparently got lost and we had to turn around and go back another way. This was no big deal to us and we had a good laugh about it. A really excellent excursion choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted September 17, 2013 #17 Share Posted September 17, 2013 We took the 'Generic Bus' from the Pier of PuertoQuetzal to Antigua about 90minutes by good paved road. Our old 'Greyhound Bus' broke down on the steep road close to a Volcano, so we watched it smoke for a while, then continued on another replacement bus. Our cruise didn't offer enough time for a Full Volcano Hike on our own in the Highlands...so what we did in retrospect was the best way to go. Plus, it was a cheap bus ride from the ship. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl_in_Illinois Posted October 26, 2013 #18 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Does anyone have knowledge of transportation from Puerto Quetzal to San Jose the nearby city from where the ships port is? We are aware of side trips to Antiqua but would also like to know about San Jose, how to get there and back, what there is to see/do in San Jose as we explore the town. Any thoughts will be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl_in_Illinois Posted October 26, 2013 #19 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Was in Port Questzal in December.It has one of the nicest ports areas for cruise ships. Lots of shops, vendor stalls, cafes, and wifi. Very clean and easy, just walk off the ship. We took a DIY trip to Antiqua. You will be dropped off at a tourist information area. Nice bathrooms, again vendor stalls and here you hire a local guide for walking tour of Antiqua. The four of us paid $10.00USD a piece. Toured Santo Domingo hotel which is embedded in the ruins of a old monastary. Went to local coffee bar and bought great coffee beans, had a lunch at a lcoal cafe overlooking the main square, had time to shop and back to the torist site for our ride back to the ship. We told our quide these were the things we wanted to do. Miquel was a young man aobut 35, spoke very good English and really was so informative aobut his town and his country. We learned alot aobut the beautiful colonial town of Antiqua. The one hour ride, takes you close to three volcanoes, through sugar cane plantations, and you get to see some of the smaller towns. It was perfectly safe, others on our cruise even did private tours and they had a good time. I would stay with the ship tour just because if there is any traffic delay on the one and only highway, it could be a problem if your private tour is late. Enjoy this port of call. Azulann - - would you offer information regarding how you made contact for the private transfer and tour guide from Puerto Quetzal to Antiqua. Your experience appears to be exactly what we would like to do and a ride for 4 to Antiqua is preferred to the generic bus from the ship. I am hoping that we could connect with a driver in the port. Thanks in advance. Dave K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck1949 Posted June 12, 2015 #20 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Azulann: /we leave next week on Celebrity Infinity PAnama Canal cruise. I am very interested in Antigua as it is a UNESCO site but I am concerned about the walking. I have difficulty walking uphill and on uneven surfaces like cobblestones. How was the walking and are there places to sit and rest. Also, I saw pictures of school buses driving up the mountain..is it very steep drive? I have held off booking excursion till we board but I'd rather have your opinion than the tour director. Hey there stranger..... How was your overall experience with Celebrity Infinity, and the trip to Antigua via Puerto Quetzal. We are booked for next spring, and are trying to gather any and all information ahead of time. BTW - we had to cancel our cruise in Paris due to some health issues and uncertainty of being ready to go. Hope to hear from you - either here or via e-mail when you get a few minutes. Would be interested in your recent Canadian trip also. Take care... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted June 19, 2015 #21 Share Posted June 19, 2015 I am very interested in Antigua as it is a UNESCO site but I am concerned about the walking. I have difficulty walking uphill and on uneven surfaces like cobblestones. How was the walking and are there places to sit and rest. Antigua is flat. One gentleman brought hiking poles because of the cobble stones. The central plaza has benches to rest. We were there on Good Friday with about half the population of Guatemala. On the way back to the port, traffic came to a standstill because of a rock concert next to the port. The last bus arrived hours after the ship was supposed to leave. The ship waited, after all it was a ship excursion bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachgirl111 Posted October 11, 2015 #22 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Hey there stranger..... How was your overall experience with Celebrity Infinity, and the trip to Antigua via Puerto Quetzal. We are booked for next spring, and are trying to gather any and all information ahead of time. BTW - we had to cancel our cruise in Paris due to some health issues and uncertainty of being ready to go. Hope to hear from you - either here or via e-mail when you get a few minutes. Would be interested in your recent Canadian trip also. Take care... Which Panama cruise are you doing next year? We are on the April 11-26 cruise. I would love to do a coffee plantation tour - have you researched any for this stop? I'm leery of going outside the Celebrity tours here. We had great experiences in Greece and Italy last year but I'm a bit more unsure of this part of the world..... Tami & Tom from NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck1949 Posted October 12, 2015 #23 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Which Panama cruise are you doing next year? We are on the April 11-26 cruise. I would love to do a coffee plantation tour - have you researched any for this stop? I'm leery of going outside the Celebrity tours here. We had great experiences in Greece and Italy last year but I'm a bit more unsure of this part of the world..... Tami & Tom from NC Hi there. We are on the March 27th, Miami to San Diego. Puerto Quetzal is the one port where most everyone here on CC is taking the ship's bus into town (Antigua), then either on their own or taking a tour of the Coffee Plantation. Reading other postings around here and on the Web, there appears to be only one highway into and out of the town/port and 'war stories' tell of being late getting back to the ship. (Luckily they were on the ship's bus and they held the ship for them) We (most of us here on CC) have booked private tours at all the stops before this one......but most appear to be doing things on their own for the two stops in Mexico. Hope this helps! Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polomom Posted February 20, 2016 #24 Share Posted February 20, 2016 We are on Infinity in April and considering the "Coffee Close to Nature" excursion. Anyone done that one before? How far away is the plantation? Any information would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted February 20, 2016 #25 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Antigua is flat. One gentleman brought hiking poles because of the cobble stones. The central plaza has benches to rest. We were there on Good Friday with about half the population of Guatemala. On the way back to the port, traffic came to a standstill because of a rock concert next to the port. The last bus arrived hours after the ship was supposed to leave. The ship waited, after all it was a ship excursion bus. I would NOT suggest any other way to Antigua from the Port except with the 'Antiqua On Your Own' buses. Walking other than the 6blocks to the little town square can be very steep and strenuous. I hiked 1/mile up to a lookout point over the city...think volcanic mountains. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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