Major city · Guatemala
Puerto San José
Skip as a base: use it as a cruise port or a quick lunch stop. For a beach stay, choose Monterrico or El Paredón instead.
Puerto San José is a working port town (population 24,000) on Guatemala's Pacific coast. The main draw is the adjacent Puerto Quetzal container port and the Marina Pez Vela for cruise ships. There are no notable sights in town; the beaches are dark sand and the water is rough. Most travellers use it as a transit point or a day trip from the highlands. For a proper Pacific beach stay, head to Monterrico (40 min east) or El Paredón (1 h west).
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, rough seas)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Puerto San José110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Puerto San José, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyPuerto San José is generally safe during the day, but avoid walking alone after dark in the port area.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 1.5 h by car (110 km (68 mi)) on CA-9; the local San José Airport is regional only.).GUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 1.5 h by car (68 mi (110 km)) on CA-9; the local San José Airport is regional only.).
- Getting aroundTuk-tuks and taxis cover the town and the resort strip (Q10–30).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeQ10–20
- BeerBeer (local)Q15–25
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk ride (within town)Q10–30
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 100
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel room, a night, per roomGTQ 500
- High-end bedMid-range hotel room, a night, per roomGTQ 800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 300 · Mid GTQ 550 · High GTQ 1,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 1.5 h by car (110 km (68 mi)) on CA-9; the local San José Airport is regional only.)GUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 1.5 h by car (68 mi (110 km)) on CA-9; the local San José Airport is regional only.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Puerto San José: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tuk-tuks and taxis cover the town and the resort strip (Q10–30). A car is useful for reaching nearby beaches.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Shuttle or chicken bus via Taxisco, about 40 min
Better beaches, turtle hatcheries and nightlife.
El Paredón
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Shuttle or car via Sipacate, about 1 h
Surf beach with hostels and a laid-back vibe.
Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car or shuttle via CA-2, about 1 h
Maya ruins and the Bilbao archaeological site.
Door to door: About 2 h
Shuttle or car via CA-9, about 1.5 h
Colonial city with volcano hikes; a full-day trip from the coast.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chulamar / Likín
Resort strip with hotels and pools; about 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the port.Resort strip with hotels and pools; about 3.1 mi (5 km) south of the port.
Town centre
Basic hotels near the market and bus terminal; functional but not scenic.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q250–400 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q400–700 excl. bed
- High
- Q700+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 1 night × GTQ 500 | GTQ 500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 550 | GTQ 1,100 |
| Shuttle Guatemala City → Puerto San José, one way2 × GTQ 150 | GTQ 300 |
| Tuk-tuk ride within town1 × GTQ 15 | GTQ 15 |
| eSIM for travel, about a week2 × GTQ 100 | GTQ 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 212 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 1,164 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 2,327 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | Q10–20 |
| Beer (local) | Q15–25 |
| Fish or seafood plate | Q50–100 |
| Tuk-tuk ride (within town) | Q10–30 |
| Shuttle to Guatemala City | Q150–200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The port area is industrial; do not swim near the docks.
- Rip currents on the open Pacific coast: swim only at lifeguarded beaches or hotel pools.
- Cruise passengers: allow 30 min each way from Puerto Quetzal to the town centre.
- The local airport is not served by commercial flights; use Guatemala City.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Puerto San JoséPuerto San José
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Guatemala City; most other countries also have embassies there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tuk-tuk town centre → Chulamar: Q20–30
- Shuttle Puerto San José → Antigua: Q200–300, about 2 h
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (KWAHN-toh)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon TAHK-see)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Puerto San José. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, rough seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Puerto San José
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