Minneapolis, Minn.: I will be in Santo Thomas de Castillo. What are the main things I cannot miss out on seeing while in port for one day?

Al Argueta: Cruise ships on Guatemala's Pacific and Caribbean ports of call have become big business in recent years, with plans for nearly 100 ships to make landfall in Guatemala during the 2007-2008 season. Santo Tomas de Castilla, on the Caribbean side has some of my favorite attractions anywhere in Guatemala. Don't miss the Rio Las Escobas pools and surrounding Cerro San Gil rainforest, just minutes from the cruise ship terminal. Chiltepe Tours is a Gray Line affiliate offering military jeep tours between the terminal and the park. Alternatively, you can laze the day away at the pleasant Amatique Bay Resort or see the funky Garifuna town of Livingston.

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Sausalito, Calif..: We will have one day in Puerto Quetzal on our Princess cruise (Nov. 26th--I know, cruises don't let you see the country worth a damn) and wonder what you would recommend. We both speak Spanish pretty fluently, so we think we can get around OK on our own. Antigua?

Al Argueta: On the Pacific port side, I would definitely recommend a day trip to Antigua. It's easily accessible along a four-lane highway and embodies much of what makes Guatemala so darn appealing: colonial architecture, sentinel volcanoes, cobblestone streets, Mayan culture, great food and plenty of shopping. Have fun and enjoy your introduction to fabulous Guatemala. But I warn you, you'll want to come back and see more!

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Takoma Park, Md.: What is the quality of the water and beaches in Guatemala?

Al Argueta: If you're looking for something on par with the white-sand beaches of Cancun, you're in for disappointment. Guatemalan beaches can be quite lovely in their own way, but they are certainly of a different caliber. On the Pacific side, there are some very nice expanses of wide, sandy, black sand beach. My favorites are at remote Manchon Guamuchal Wetland Preserve, Sipacate and along the Iztapa-Monterrico corridor. Sipacate and Iztapa also have some excellent surfing, by the way. On the Caribbean side, the Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge (on its namesake peninsula) has deserted strands of white sand fronting the crashing waves of the Caribbean along with some more placid areas fronting an emerald lagoon as you round the cape towards the Guatemalan mainland. Playa Blanca, near Livingston has the whitest sands of any Guatemalan beach, though the water here and elsewhere along the Caribbean coast is emerald or brown (from river silt during the rainy season).

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Paso Robles, Calif.: What are the pros and cons of purchasing property in Guatemala? Is it a good place to retire? We would be interested but would rather live amongst Guatemalans and not all Americans.

Al Argueta: Your dollar will certainly go far in Guatemala, especially in construction costs. Many Americans are starting to retire in Guatemala. A good place to contact for real estate questions is Panajachel-based Terra X Real Estate, featured in the Fall 2007 issue of Outside's GO magazine.

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