Explore on your own rating

U.S. State Department warning: Guatemala is rated Level 3, Reconsider travel. The port is industrial, so go with a tour.

Where ships dock

  • Santo Tomás de Castilla cruise terminal, one berth in a secure commercial port (with a navy base) near Puerto Barrios, Izabal

Getting to town

There is nothing to walk to: the terminal, with its shops, an INGUAT tourist desk and usually a marimba band, sits inside a working port. Puerto Barrios is about 3 miles (5 km) away by taxi, and Livingston is reached only by boat.

Take the ship's tour, or use only pre-booked operators or the official tourist taxis at the terminal. Boats run to Livingston (about 20 to 45 minutes each way) and up the Río Dulce. Agree all prices before you set off.

Fares are as reported by the sources below and change often. Treat them as estimates.

Money & entry

Currency: Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ). U.S. dollars are often accepted for tours; carry small bills.

Entry: U.S. citizens can visit Guatemala visa-free for tourism; a valid U.S. passport is required. Check your cruise line's documents page.

Top sights nearby

  • Quiriguá Archaeological Park, Maya stelae (UNESCO; about 90 minutes by road)
  • Río Dulce canyon by boat to Livingston, a Garifuna town
  • Castillo de San Felipe de Lara on Lake Izabal (tour)
  • Siete Altares waterfalls near Livingston (tour)
  • Finca El Paraíso hot-spring waterfall (long tour)

Beaches

  • None near the port worth a visit; Livingston's beaches are small.

Safety & tips

  • U.S. State Department warning: Guatemala is rated Level 3, Reconsider travel, due to crime and terrorism (advisory issued Mar 12, 2026). San Marcos and Huehuetenango departments, Zone 18 of Guatemala City and Villa Nueva are Level 4. Izabal, where the port is, is not a Level 4 area, but stay with organised tours and don't walk around the port or Puerto Barrios. Read the advisory before you go ashore.
  • U.S. dollars are accepted in the terminal; carry small bills and some quetzales for further afield.
  • Boat trips depend on the weather in the bay: build in a margin.

Check U.S. State Department travel advisories before you sail.

⏰ Back to the ship on time

Ship's tours bring you back to the terminal. On a private trip, be back at the terminal at least 1 hour before all-aboard; the Livingston boat ride can be slow in rough water.

Ship time can differ from local time. Your ship won't wait for independent travelers.

Shore excursions that get you back on time

Prefer a guided option in Santo Tomás de Castilla? Browse shore excursions with reviews, and pick one that returns well before all-aboard.

Find Santo Tomás de Castilla shore excursions on Viator ↗

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick answers

Can you explore Santo Tomás de Castilla on your own?

A tour is the easier choice. U.S. State Department warning: Guatemala is rated Level 3, Reconsider travel. The port is industrial, so go with a tour.

How far is it from the cruise dock to town in Santo Tomás de Castilla?

There is nothing to walk to: the terminal, with its shops, an INGUAT tourist desk and usually a marimba band, sits inside a working port. Puerto Barrios is about 3 miles (5 km) away by taxi, and Livingston is reached only by boat.

Do I need a passport for Santo Tomás de Castilla?

U.S. citizens can visit Guatemala visa-free for tourism; a valid U.S. passport is required. Check your cruise line's documents page.

When should I head back to the ship in Santo Tomás de Castilla?

Ship's tours bring you back to the terminal. On a private trip, be back at the terminal at least 1 hour before all-aboard; the Livingston boat ride can be slow in rough water.

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📚 Sources