Day 5: Santo Tomas Guatemala
@BelleStarr (61047)
United States
March 13, 2018 9:04pm CST
What can I say about this port? Nothing good I am afraid. I actually didn't take a picture of the working port that we were docked next to. It looked, sounded and smelled horrible. You could either take an excursion from the cruise line or walk to a shed and haggle for local crafts. Since I hate to dicker I didn't bother. They did sell some very pretty jade items which I know because our table mates bought some and they were lovely.
I am afraid I can not recommend this port at all, it was a waste of time.
I can now say I have been to Guatemala and I guess that should be enough!! We spent our day enjoying the sunshine and then getting a massage. I attempted a selfie which you can see is quite bad!!
12 people like this
12 responses
@DianneN (246838)
• United States
14 Mar 18
I have been there, too, and totally agree! Hopefully, like Roatan, they will develop Guatemala and make it more pleasant for tourists. We walked to that same shed and walked right back to the ship. Ha ha! Well, you tried a selfie. Where did the rest of you go? Lol!
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Mar 18
lol I can take a selfie if it is just me but Al that sweet man is clueless!! 
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Mar 18
@DianneN lol I have tried but I refer to him as "Al bighead" somehow he always gets that head too far forward lol
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
14 Mar 18
Mike and I been to Guatemala for eleven years there.Never had any problems and got to know the people very well.
We support the Children of the Dump there.Animals shelter etc.
Many good friends.Sadly will not be able to go back due to my health issues.We have noting bad about this.
But stay out of of the city.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Mar 18
Unfortunately, the port is just that a working port, not what visitors on a cruise expect. None of the excursions went to anything that tempted me to ride for hours on what I am sure are not the best roads.
@rebelann (111178)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Mar 18
At least you got 2 halves, better n what I got when I tried.
Guatemala sounds a lot like Mexico, I wouldn't waste my time at any of the seaports of Mexico but I have heard that Guadalajara is nice to visit, don't know for sure though, I've never been there.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111178)
• El Paso, Texas
19 Mar 18
I don't know many younger people who can afford cruises @BelleStarr were there young people on yours?
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
19 Mar 18
For young people, some of the Mexican ports have lots of exciting activities but I am not into excitement lol
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
14 Mar 18
thanks for the information. Is there any suggestion box where the tourists can give suggestions for improvement?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
19 Mar 18
No there isn't and it's a working port I suspect they couldn't care less what tourists think.
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
20 Mar 18
@BelleStarr Too bad, they can generate/get money from this. Ports are interesting place where people could go.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Mar 18
No it really is a waste but at least I can say I was there lol
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458111)
• Switzerland
15 Mar 18
@BelleStarr 
You are right, another flag to place on the map of "places visited".
You are right, another flag to place on the map of "places visited".1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
14 Mar 18
Sorry it wasn't good. Sad it smelt bad.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Mar 18
It smelled like diesel fuel and gasoline there were trucks coming and going all day.
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
14 Mar 18
@BelleStarr eww. I hate the smell of gas!
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48442)
• Canada
14 Mar 18
What I know of Guatemala is poverty. My uncle, who was a priest, used to go down there for several months a year. He and a group of parishioners took on developing a village. He had a lot of experience from his years in Peru, another poor country.
I understand why you wouldn't leave the ship, I wouldn't either.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Mar 18
The only thing that tempted me was a bus ride to a fort but 4 hours on a bus was not appealing at all.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Mar 18
No you're not missing a thing. I am sure the country itself may be quite attractive but this port doesn't do it justice.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
19 Mar 18
lol Yes I guess it is half a selfie and half a photo may be a seloto or a photie!! lol
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Mar 18
@BelleStarr I don't think it could be a photie! Trying saying that with a straight face! It'll have to be a seloto.
It'll have to be a seloto. 
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
14 Mar 18
Thanks for the heads up, but I have never wanted to visit this place.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
18 Mar 18
I guess Guatemala has been visited by many missionaries since the people are quite poor but I am not of that persuasion.
