Puerto Barrios

Puerto Barrios is a seaport and the capital of the department of Izabal on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. Its population is about 40,000 people. It is also the commercial heart of the region, because it has two ports: Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla. Santo Tomás is the biggest port in the nation.

Travel to Puerto Barrios

By bus

The national bus company 'Litegua' takes you to the capital city. A trip can take 5 to 6 hours. You can choose first or second class. First class goes directly, includes one meal, and has air conditioning. A one way ticket costs (Guatemala#Money|quetzales). Second class stops several times during the trip. And it is feasible that the bus goes to Morales, that takes one more hour. One way ticket for .

By plane

• Puerto Barrios Airport IATA Flight Code: PBR 1 5.730833, -88.583889 - Puerto Barrios Airport Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos Flights from Guatemala City.

By boat

'El muelle' is the boat terminal, near to 'El Rastro' or Calle 12. You can get a boat to Punta de Palma and Livingston (Guatemala) | Livingston, and also to Punta Gorda (Belize) | Punta Gorda in Belize.

Boat service from Punta Gorda (Belize) | Punta Gorda in Belize to Puerto Barrios might run less frequent in low season (July/August). It runs at least at 13:00 and 14:00. Cross the immigration in Punta Gorda and move on to the dock. Tickets have to be bought at a booth near immigration, ask the security. Exit fee of Belize#Money|BZ$30 + BZ$7.50 is charged. Boats to Puerto Barrios (1hr) go to Livingston (30min) first, where you can get off as well. Immigration in Puerto Barrios is just up the street of the dock. From Puerto Barrios there are taxis that will take you to the border for about US$9 per person. People will approach you at the dock, but regular taxis are just at the exit of the dock. Probably also Buses available. At the Honduras side of the border at Corintho there are also buses and taxis (100 Honduras#Money|lempira) to take you to Puerto Cortez in Honduras. Omoa is a great little town to head to.

Get Around

You can take a bus or taxi. The bus costsQ and taxi costs QQ, but for tourists it may cost a little more.

There is only one route that goes from the Central Market, in Puerto Barrios; to San Agustín, in Santo Tomás de Castilla. The bus stops don't have signals most of the time, so you must have to know the place where you are coming down.

To travel more widely, taxis are best. But be careful. Taxis must have an identification number on both doors. Also, you can negotiate the payment with the driver. Most of the time, this isn't necessary; but like you don't know the city and you don't have your own car, you will have to do it sooner or later. Most of the time, a "carrera" will cost you betweenQ0 or ; depending on where you are going.

Assaults are very common in the nation, but Puerto Barrios is a relatively safe city, but be careful with taxis at night. Take them in well illuminated places and if you can, guide them to your destination and ask them not to pick up anyone else. This will cost you a bit more, but you won't get ruined.

English is not widely spoken, you will have to communicate with the rest of the people by using Spanish.

Things to Do

One of the most visited places is a local river called "Las Escobas". Its in the cerro San Gil, outside the urban area of Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla. The river is famous for its crystalline water and is very cold. It's in the middle of the jungle, but is extremely simple to reach it by a road or walking. Now "Las Escobas" has been reconstructed into a beautiful hiking and swimming area. If you're an adventurer and like to hike and there is a hiking trail, of course you have to be careful with the surrounding for there might be snakes and other amphibians.

The river has several natural pools, and they look like paradise.

But check the weather report before going there. If it has been raining in recent days and the water will be dirty. It's not polluted, but it isn't nice to take a bath in.

If you don't feel like traveling for a few hours then you can just stay inside the city. There you can walk to the two parks that the city has. One is located in the old part of Puerto Barrios, its name is Tecun Uman. This park is right in front of the "Hotel del Norte." Cars and motocycles can go to a paved terrace overlooking the ocean called "El Malecon". "Reina Barrios" is another park on the opposite site. There is a large outside theatre shaped like a shell, known as "La Concha Acústica".

Now if you feel like cooling off from the hot sun and there is a mall called "La Pradera" located outside Puerto Barrios going to Santo Thomas. There you can find a foodcourt with McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant), Pollo Campero, Domino's Pizza, Saritas (ice cream parlor), and many more different stationeries. There are clothing stores such as Gap, Adidas (currently on the BDS List so for the time don't purchase any Adidas products), and other local stores. There is also a game place near the foodcourt where you can play arcade games, air hockey, and ride a small carousel.

Puerto Barrios is a very nice place to hang around, to meet local residents, enjoy the small citylife, go dancing.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Puerto Barrios

Another location you may want to visit is Amatique Bay and the only downside is that, people are required membership to get it.

Halal Restaurants in Puerto Barrios

Seafood is typical of the city. One of the best restaurants is restaurant Safari. It's located in the neighborhood "El Rastro". Safari is a nice, warm, cozy restaurant that is right beside the beach. There you can order traditional plates like tapado, camarones a la plancha, ceviche and many others.

Another typical Garifuna-plate is Rice and beans, which has Rice, beans, coconut cream and Meat.

Other restaurants are El Castillo, Fogón Porteño, Pepin Burger,Restaurante y Cafeterìa MAXIM and Doña María and some others that have special things like churrascos or Tortillas de harina.

If you like Cuban food, you can go to La Habana Vieja. This restaurant is located on 8th avenue between 7th and 6th streets. You can eat the best pieces of Meat in there.

If you want to try a typical of the entire country; you can go to Pollo Campero (Country Chicken) It's located in 8th street and 7th avenue, next to the Central Market. This is an international chain of restaurants like Kentucky Fried Chicken, but has the special Guatemalan flavour.

If what you are looking for is for 1st class cuisine, go to the Mar Brissa hotel or to Amatique Bay hotel. The finest restaurants in town. Both of them are a little far away form downtown, but is extremely simple to get to them.

For sure you should try the fresh fruits that are sold in the local market. Papaya, mango, melon, pineapple and many others like you've never eaten before. You should also taste the 'licuados', juices and milkshakes that refreshes very well in the tropical heat. One of the most famous places is a disco, called La Colombina Forever. There you can find the best nightlife in the entire city. But you have to get used to crowds, smoke, and soft-drinks. The "Colombina" has two dance floors, one is right by the entrance while the other one is on the other side. Both dance floors play different types of music, but the second dance floor plays mostly Reggaeton. This club also built a boardwalk into the ocean with chairs and small huts for privacy.

Right around the junction there is another club called La Meta, short for "Metamorphosis". This club offers only one dance floor but they play different types of music. It has a terrace, and in the back it accommodates by having chairs and tables right near the ocean for nice breeze.

The tradition in this city is that Saturday is Colombina Day, while Sunday is Meta Day. That way there isn't much competition between the two.

There is a disco called "Casa Madrid".

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Puerto Barrios

Puerto Barrios - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Puerto Barrios, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Puerto Barrios. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Puerto Barrios and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Puerto Barrios. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Puerto Barrios. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPuerto Barrios: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Puerto Barrios.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Puerto Barrios: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Puerto Barrios, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Puerto Barrios.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Puerto Barrios, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Puerto Barrios, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Puerto Barrios and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Puerto Barrios, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Puerto Barrios, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Puerto Barrios without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Puerto Barrios is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Puerto Barrios.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Puerto Barrios is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Puerto Barrios, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Puerto Barrios Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are several hotels in the city. But you have to be careful with them. The city is famous for having a lot of prostitution and you can end in a hotel that is used for it.

It's safer to use hotels that are big. The may be a little more expensive than others, but you won't get ruined. Some of them are:

• Valle Tropical
• Mar Brissa
• Puerto Libre
• Hotel del Puerto

You can also hospedate in Hotel del Norte is a beautiful hotel that is more than 100 years old is in the old downtown of Puerto Barrios and is close to the City Hall and the Central Market. But it is close to the port, so there's a lot of traffic and dust.

Travel Next

You can take boats that go every day to places like Punta de Palma, one of the most beautiful beaches in the nation. But be careful. You may find that the beach is full of garbage after a holiday. Another beautiful beach is Punta de Manabique, which is at the end of the Bahia de Amatique.

• You can also go to Livingston (Guatemala) | Livingston. This small town has an important "garífuna" community. It's also a good place to eat and dance. You will find typical things like bracelets to take home.
• There are at least two daily boats from Puerto Barrios to Punta Gorda (Belize) | Punta Gorda in Belize, one around 9-10AM & one at 2PM and they costQ00. You may be charged an unofficial stamping out fee of by the Guatemalan immigration officers in the office by the port. Be sure to ask them for a receipt.

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