Puerto Quetzal (Port Code: GTPRQ), located along Guatemala's southern Pacific coast, has emerged as the country's primary deep-water port in the region. Situated just 3.2 kilometers from Puerto San José and a mere 8 kilometers from the nearest airport, this modern facility combines strategic location with advanced infrastructure.
The port features 802 meters of berthing space within protected harbor areas formed by east and west breakwaters, with maximum depths reaching 11 meters. This configuration allows Puerto Quetzal to accommodate diverse vessel types. Despite being a relatively new development, the port boasts comprehensive facilities including four main berths and one roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) berth measuring 30 meters long by 25.5 meters wide. Its material handling capabilities include forklifts with 36-ton lifting capacity and tugboats generating up to 588kW of power.
Operational efficiency stands as a hallmark of Puerto Quetzal. The port handles 60 tons of steel products per hour, maintains a 20-ton/hour rate for general cargo, and achieves an 8-container/hour throughput. These capabilities support vessels with maximum deadweight tonnage of 30,000, ensuring reliable cargo movement.
As Guatemala's largest Pacific port, Puerto Quetzal serves as a critical hub for both exports and imports. Key exports flow through bananas, coffee, cotton, sugar, and meat products, while imports primarily consist of machinery, consumer goods, and construction materials. The facility also accommodates cruise ship traffic, diversifying its maritime functions.
The port's 20th century development marked a strategic shift in Guatemala's maritime infrastructure, despite operating in a tropical savanna climate characterized by average temperatures of 20°C (68°F) and annual rainfall reaching 2,000 mm - with particularly heavy precipitation between June and October. These climatic challenges notwithstanding, Puerto Quetzal maintains its position as an indispensable node in regional trade and transportation networks.
