Travel Experta’s Interesting Facts – Guatemala’s Pacific Coast

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Better known as the “Southern Coast“, This is the Guatemalans favorite place to go. Monterico, the most popular of all, is where Chapines come to bask in the sun and enjoy the black sanded, volcanic beaches.

Granted, the beaches are nowhere as beuatiful as the surrounding countries such as Mexico or Honduras. If you’re craving a beach experience, you’ll definitely have a blast here. You can try a bit of surfing, watch the sea turtles hatch and party it up with the locals!

Where is It

See the map
How’s the Weather

Hot and Humid
85 °F year-round

Places to Be

These are the most popular hot spots in this region. But for the gotta-see-it-all traveler, scroll down to the CITIES LESS TRAVELED to get the goods on this whole region.

Monterrico

Monterrico is the most popular black-sanded, volcanic beach destination in Guatemala. But it is so much more. This is also the most important and protected area for sea turtles in Guatemala. Imagine seeing a mother turtle come ashore and lay her eggs. How about holding the baby sea turtle in your hand before it goes off to sea. This nature interaction is guaranteed to leave an impression on anyone who visits here.

Can’t Miss This

* Hawaii Park (Parque Hawaii)
* Biotope Monterrico-Hawaii
* Tortuguerio Monterrico
* Turtle tours

Retalhuleu

Reu, as the locals call it, is the gateway to Guatemala‘s greatest amusement parks. If you’re not into water rides and other attractions, you can visit the nearby Mayan ruins, Takalik Abaj, or simply relax in the upper-scale accommodations quickly popping up all over the place.

Can’t Miss This

* Takalik Abaj
* Xocomil Water Park
* Xetulul Amusement Park

Puerto San Jose

The closest beach to Guatemala City and Antigua, you’ll bump heads with the locals coming here during the weekend. At one time this was Guatemala’s main shipping port, but has been displaced by the newly built Puerto Quetzal. However, this is definitely a great place for sports fishing.

Can’t Miss This

* Sail fishing
* Ostrich Farm
* Aqua Magic

So much TO SEE in the Pacific Coast Region!

Beaches

* Monterrico Beach
* Playa El Tulate
* Tilapa
* Puerto San Jose
* Chulamar
* Barra del Jiote
* Sipacate

Museums & Gardens

* Bai Museum (Museo El Bai)
* Cotzumalguapa Culture Museum (Museo Cultura Cotzumalguapa)
* Tortuguerio Monterrico
* Ostrich Farm

ESpecially for Kids

* Auto Safari Chapin
* Aqua Magic Water Park
* Xocomil Water Park
* Xetulul Amusement Park

Parks & Reserves

* Hawaii Park (Parque Hawaii)
* Biotope Monterrico-Hawaii
* Manchan Guamuchal Wetland Preserve

Ruins

* Takalik Abaj
* Bilbao Stones (Las Piedras)

So Much TO DO in the Pacific Coast Region!

Nature & Adventure Activities

* Turtle Tours
* Bird and Wildlife watching
* Surfing
* Kayaking
* Sail fishing
* Diving
* Boat tours
* Mountain Biking

Edible Tours

* Coffee tours
* Finca el Bai – Sugar Cane Plantation

Less Traveled Cities

* Sipacate
* Santa Luci­a Cotzumalguapa
* Chiquimulilla
* Escuintla
* Taxisco
* Iztapa
* La Democracia
* Las Lisas
* Puerto Quetzal