The country aims to increase the number of cruise ships arriving Guatemalan land joining forces with other interested regions and through partnerships with companies.

According to official data "during the 2012-2013 season, the cruise segment grew by 148% in Guatemala, with the arrival of 71 boats. "

"Guatemala is also committed to strengthening regional efforts to unite Puerto Chiapas (Mexico) and Puerto Calderas (Costa Rica), the result of this joint effort, named 'Ruta Mesoamericana', could also be joined by Puerto de Huatulco (Mexico) Acajutla (El Salvador) and Puerto San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua)."

Source: Guatemala's Government Executive Branch

More on this topic

Guatemala and Cruise Tourism

May 2018

For the 2017-2018 season, the arrival of 165,000 tourists on board 120 cruise ships is expected, which will represent an increase of 33% over the previous period.

The general director of the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (Inguat), Jorge Mario Chajon, stated that "... the current cruise season that began in September and will end next August, will be the best ever in Guatemala, both terms of the arrival of vessels, as well as the number of cruise passengers and the projected foreign exchange income. 'A total of 120 cruises will arrive during the season, which is 25% more than last year'."

El Salvador: Prospects for the Cruise Season

April 2017

Following a slight rebound in 2016, the arrival of ten cruisers from six foreign companies is expected in the 2017 season, with about 5,000 tourists on board.

In 2015 tourism authorities reported the arrival of 5 cruise ships during the season, a slight improvement compared to the figures of previous years, particularly the years 2013, 2014 and 2015, in which only one cruise was recorded each season. 

Limon "Homeport" for New Cruise Line

October 2015

As of December 6, 2015 a Pullmantur ship will use the port of Limón as a base during the four months of the cruise season.

The arrival of the cruise ship in Limon is part of an agreement signed between Viajes Colón and Pullmantur, which will provide a boat for up to 1828 passengers. The cruise ship will arrive at Limon every Sunday and offer two different routes through the Caribbean.

Nicaragua Closes Good Cruise Ship Season

May 2009

The increase in cruise ship arrivals was partly due to the influenza A outbreak in Mexico because 6 cruises ships were diverted to Nicaragua.

The goal of the Nicaraguan Association of Tourism (ANTUR) for the 2008-2009 Season was 54 cruise ships and 60 arrived in Nicaraguan ports.