One of the most important ports of Guatemala is Santo Tomas de Castilla. In the 19th century, Belgians first settled in this port city and it was only in the 1960s when the port was established. Santo Tomas de Castilla supports the Puerto Barrios, another cargo port in Guatemala. Santo Tomas used to accept only cargo ships but since 2004, the port started to accept cruise ships as well. And in the area, cruise ships are common because they have to pass Santo Tomas Port before reaching the Caribbean. Because of the addition of cruise ships in the port city, Santo Tomas de Castilla became a hot tourist spot.
Santo Tomas de Castilla does not have breathtaking beaches and amazing historical ruins but they also have their own share of tourist destinations and activities. The most popular ruins in Guatemala are the ruins found in Tikal national Park. However, Santo Tomas de Castilla also has its own ruins which are found at Quirigua. The ruins are not as grand as the Tikal ruins but they are also an important part of Guatemala’s history.
There are also fascinating sculptures from different periods which you can find near the Santo Tomas port. There are also lakes and rivers near the port such as the Dulce River and Lake Izabel. You should also check out San Felipe Spanish Fortress which is also located near the port city of Santo Tomas de Castilla. You can also visit the nearby Puerto Barrios where you can enjoy partying at nightclubs and drinking at bars.