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GUATEMALA THE LAND OF BEAUTY
Puerto de San Jose
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Guatemala has access to both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. We
had the opportunity to take a day trip to El Puerto de San Jose. Just one
very important piece of advice, bring your own toilet paper because you
might find yourself in a hurry and the washrooms I found, none had toilet
paper. Also it will cost you one Quetzal to use the toilet.
Puerto de San José is the complete sailors' port in the tropics,
a seedy place of ramshackle houses and thatched huts, unpaved streets,
(except for the main streets) and bars from one end of town to the other.
The port opened to commerce in 1853, and the railroad, completed in 1880,
made San José the main terminal for Pacific Ocean commerce.
Before the port was opened, much of Guatemala's trade moved through the
port of Acajutla in El Salvador. Freight coming to San José,
which lacks a sheltered harbor, is transferred from ships to lighters,
and unloaded at the long iron pier. More cargo now moves through
nearby modern Puerto Quetzal.
Across the Chiquimula Canal from the town center is the bathing area
lined with diners and cheap cabanas, many of them can be rented for under
$ 5.00 for the day. Puerto San José is fine for a quick look around,
or if you want to mix in at the sailors' bars. Otherwise, you'd do
better to take the sun at Chulamar, Likin, or Iztapa.
You will need a place to rest and to cover yourself from the sun.
this covered location was only $5.00 per day. You can also order
your drinks right on the spot. (See photo below). Whatever
you do, never leave your personal items unatended - they will vanish instantly.
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