port town, south-central Guatemala, situated along the Pacific Ocean. Opened in 1853, it is a roadstead with a long wharf; passengers and cargo are transferred from ships anchored 1 mile (1.6 km) offshore. It served as Guatemala's principal Pacific port until the early 1980s, when Puerto Quetzal, a cargo and cruise-ship port, took on this role. San José still handles exports of molasses, coffee, cotton, sugar, lumber, and honey. The resort of Iztapa, once a Spanish fort, lies to the east. San José is linked to Escuintla, 26 miles (42 km) to the north, and to Guatemala City by railroad and highway. Pop. (2002) 17,430.