San Tomas de Castillo

Santo Tomas de Castillo is a port town on the Caribbean coast of Guatemala. It was developed for cargo shipping after the earthquake of February 4, 1976 severely damaged the port facilities in nearby Puerto Barrios. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Barrios>1] Now a port of call for several cruise lines, including Holland America Lines [http://www.hollandamerica.com/dest/port.do?portCode=TDE&dest=C>2] and Norwegian Cruise Lines. The wharf has a covered market nearby for visitors to purchase souvenirs and local goods. Tours inland by bus begin on the wharf as well, and taxis are available there for those wishing to explore the region.

A popular tourist destination is the Las Escobas waterfalls located in the San Gil Ecological Reserve (Cerro San Gil), approximately 20 minutes outside of Santo Tomas de Castillo.

A notable event in Santo Tomas de Castillo is when a cruise ship leaves port many of the taxis pull up on the wharf and flash their lights while a band and dancers perform. The departing cruise ship will sound its horn, answered by the taxis blowing their horns back.

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