csaeroach Posted October 11, 2012 #1 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Does anyone know of any tour companies for a pick up at the Puerto Quetzal Port to Antigua Guatemala? I contacted TURANSA but they want full payment upfront, and we would prefer a small deposit, or credit card # to confirm reservation and be able to pay in cash the day of the tour. Just wondering if anyone might know of other companies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 11, 2012 #2 Share Posted October 11, 2012 They have a company inside the port building also out side the building there are lots of taxi tours ..they will find you ;) It cost us $150 for the trip a couple of years ago so try to find others to share ..we had 3 of us The driver was our guide as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Azulann Posted October 12, 2012 #3 Share Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) We are taking the ship tour DIY, Antiqua. We will be dropped off at the tourist office and hire a guide fro a walking tour of Antiqua. I have been to Gautemala before on land trips. I would never risk using a private tour with only one highway from port to site. I have been in hugh traffic jams on the highways due to contruction, vehicle break downs etc. Our ship tour on the Celebrity Century is very reasonable and I have peace of mind that the ship will not leave without us. Edited October 12, 2012 by Azulann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmwg49 Posted October 13, 2012 #4 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I believe this is great advice, and why we also booked thru the ship! I think "better safe than sorry" is very sound advice on this port of call! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted October 14, 2012 #5 Share Posted October 14, 2012 We ordinarily book independent tours however Guatemala is one of those few countries where we felt it was better to book thru the ship. It may be of interest to people that our buses were escorted to Antigua by two pick-up trucks, one in front of us and the other behind....in each truck there were 5 very heavily armed soldiers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csaeroach Posted October 15, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted October 15, 2012 (edited) We ordinarily book independent tours however Guatemala is one of those few countries where we felt it was better to book thru the ship. It may be of interest to people that our buses were escorted to Antigua by two pick-up trucks, one in front of us and the other behind....in each truck there were 5 very heavily armed soldiers. Thank you so much for this information. It looks like it will be a ships excursion for us. I have researched many private tours, but do not feel comfortable with any of my responses, and tour operators wanting full payment upfront and after reading your message, we have decided it will be a ships tour or nothing.... thanks for posting! Just wondering if you felt safe in Antigua? Edited October 15, 2012 by csaeroach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussanahrose Posted October 16, 2012 #7 Share Posted October 16, 2012 (edited) Does anyone know if it is necessary to pre-book to get the Antigua on your own bus trip and do the buses run all day? Or is there usually plenty of spaces available? (we are on the Celebrity Century). Edited October 16, 2012 by sussanahrose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted October 16, 2012 #8 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Thank you so much for this information. It looks like it will be a ships excursion for us. I have researched many private tours, but do not feel comfortable with any of my responses, and tour operators wanting full payment upfront and after reading your message, we have decided it will be a ships tour or nothing.... thanks for posting! Just wondering if you felt safe in Antigua? Yes, we felt very safe in Antigua, I wouldn't go off the beaten path, there is the presence of armed guards standing in front of buildings and the street vendors are about as aggressive as I have found anywhere but it is a delightful town and should not be missed....its a real step back in time and we would go back in a heartbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 16, 2012 #9 Share Posted October 16, 2012 I did not find the street vendors very aggressive ...if you want aggressive go to Cartegena We walked all over with our taxi driver as the guide ..he took us for lunch & went off someplace Came back for us after lunch was over Took us to a local shop for water etc...we did not have local currency so he paid for the purchases...would not take our USD for payment We gave him extra for the tip to cover the purchases We stopped in a small town on the way to Antigua to see the church there ..we did not go inside as there was a service going on but we sat across the road to listen to the music Another stop on the highway to view the volcano (before it blew) No problems of any kind got back to the dock safe & sound ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperdo Posted October 20, 2012 #10 Share Posted October 20, 2012 We ordinarily book independent tours however Guatemala is one of those few countries where we felt it was better to book thru the ship. It may be of interest to people that our buses were escorted to Antigua by two pick-up trucks, one in front of us and the other behind....in each truck there were 5 very heavily armed soldiers.When did you go? My wife and I took the Antiqua On Your Own tour through the ship in May, and there was no armed guard escort. The buses did all caravan together, though. I completely agree that this is one port to do a ship's excursion. Because of the distance involved, I liked the piece of mind that the ship's tour provided. And I thought the $39 cost was very reasonable. (This was on the Coral Princess.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted October 21, 2012 #11 Share Posted October 21, 2012 We were there on the Coral in January '09. The escorts weren't that apparent in fact I really didn't know what was up until the next morning when I had breakfast with a retired British Bobby who explained to me what was going on. I will also tell you that a bus on the return to the ship broke down and was surrounded by armed guards...each of the other buses stopped and picked up some of the stranded passengers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamchops Posted January 18, 2013 #12 Share Posted January 18, 2013 We are taking the ship tour DIY, Antiqua. We will be dropped off at the touristoffice and hire a guide fro a walking tour of Antiqua. I have been to Gautemala before on land trips. I would never risk using a private tour with only one highway from port to site. I have been in hugh traffic jams on the highways due to contruction, vehicle break downs etc. Our ship's tour bus was 30 minutes late getting back from Antigua but there were 2 other buses even later. The CD told us it was cheaper to pay the extra "port fees" than to arrange transportation for 3 buses. She smiled when she said "1 bus would of been a toss-up". I knew from a previous 1 week work stay in Guatamala that it wasn't worth the risk as the ship's tour was not outrageously priced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted January 25, 2013 #13 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Csaeroach,t Check 'Go with Gus' Tours. Adrenalina Tours. Rainbow Tours etc. on the 'Web'. Now that Puerto Quetzal is getting popular with cruiselines I hear it's much more common to have legit Tour Co's such as Gus ready and waiting near the dock. So many things in LonelyPlanet or Trip Advisor on the Web now about Guatemala. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Azulann Posted January 31, 2013 #14 Share Posted January 31, 2013 yes, Gautemala is doing its best to attract more cruise ships at Puerto Quetzal. Even though it is an industrial port, it has a nice port area for the cruise ship passengers. Lots of stalls selling articles. A couple of outdoor cafes and free wifi everywhere. When we returned from Antiqua, we spent the remaining time shopping and having a cold beer. We were one of the last groups back on the ship. It was a great port of call. i know other passengers that did a private tour but they did not go to Antiqua and they did get back in plenty of time. they went to see the volcano up close . I think it depends on where you will go and how far from port you will be . Most sites are over one hour away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyer52 Posted February 17, 2013 #15 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Does anyone know of any tour companies for a pick up at the Puerto Quetzal Port to Antigua Guatemala? I contacted TURANSA but they want full payment upfront, and we would prefer a small deposit, or credit card # to confirm reservation and be able to pay in cash the day of the tour. Just wondering if anyone might know of other companies? We are arriving by cruise ship in April so following in your footsteps. I wonder what you ended up doing? Would you now recommend using the ships transfer or do you feel it was safe to pick up something at the port. There are 6 of us. Cheers Vera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbados Posted February 17, 2013 #16 Share Posted February 17, 2013 That way you're guaranteed you won't be left on the dock alone. Here is a snapshot of that road returning to the ship. A wreck delayed us almost one (1) hour! Almost had to swim...haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyer52 Posted February 17, 2013 #17 Share Posted February 17, 2013 That way you're guaranteed you won't be left on the dock alone. Here is a snapshot of that road returning to the ship. A wreck delayed us almost one (1) hour! Almost had to swim...haha Thanks for the advice..the photo tells it all. Vera :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summersong Posted September 11, 2015 #18 Share Posted September 11, 2015 We ordinarily book independent tours however Guatemala is one of those few countries where we felt it was better to book thru the ship. It may be of interest to people that our buses were escorted to Antigua by two pick-up trucks, one in front of us and the other behind....in each truck there were 5 very heavily armed soldiers. Very good to know!! Thank you for the heads up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted September 12, 2015 #19 Share Posted September 12, 2015 The "Antigua On Your Own" is a good one to book with the cruise line. :) LuLu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugaltravel Posted March 28, 2016 #20 Share Posted March 28, 2016 That way you're guaranteed you won't be left on the dock alone. Here is a snapshot of that road returning to the ship. A wreck delayed us almost one (1) hour! Almost had to swim...haha If there was an accident, wouldn't that have put both a cruise-booked transfer or an independent transfer on the same road, both being late? Not saying to not book the cruise transfer, but I don't understand the logic in this situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted March 28, 2016 #21 Share Posted March 28, 2016 We've had times in other ports where large tour buses were given the right away while taxis & cars were held back ... so that situation does happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtmtourguide Posted April 27, 2016 #22 Share Posted April 27, 2016 There is a company on the web it is http://www.shoreexcursioneer.com that only takes a deposit on credit card and the rest you pays when you got to Guatemala. Does anyone know of any tour companies for a pick up at the Puerto Quetzal Port to Antigua Guatemala? I contacted TURANSA but they want full payment upfront, and we would prefer a small deposit, or credit card # to confirm reservation and be able to pay in cash the day of the tour. Just wondering if anyone might know of other companies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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