Santo Tomás de Castilla

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Santo Tomás de Castilla is a port city in Izabal Department, Guatemala. It is located at around 15°41′60″N, 88°37′0″WCoordinates: 15°41′60″N, 88°37′0″W. It lies on Amatique Bay off the Gulf of Honduras and is administratively a part of Puerto Barrios. Santo Tomás was settled originally by Belgians in the 19th century.[1]

Starting in 2004 Santo Tomás has starting receiving cruise ships. In this poor country, this can be quite the boost to the local economy. For tourist oriented cruisers there are not beaches oriented or big-time Mayan ruins to see; this is a good place to get a taste of local Guatemalan culture. Other nearby options include the Rio Dulce, Lake Izabal, the towns of Puerto Barrios, Livingston and San Felipe, and the Mayan ruins of Quirigua.

Santo Tomás is one of two major Guatemalan ports on the Gulf coast. Guatemala has only a small coastline along the Caribbean and consequently Santo Tomás is fairly close to Belize and Honduras.