Monterrico: Travel Guide to Guatemala’s Beach Destination

Updated January 2026

This is a travel guide to visiting Monterrico, the best beach destination on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. Read about the best things to do, where to stay, how to get there, safety advice, and everything you need to plan your perfect trip to Monterrico.

Tucked away on the west coast of Guatemala is the small beach town of Monterrico. Known for its black sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and sea turtle conservation. When it comes to visiting the best beaches in Guatemala, Monterrico has to top the list.

Monterrico Guatemala attracts a large number of visitors, both foreign and locals, as it is the closest beach to Guatemala City and Antigua. To be clear, the town itself is not much to talk about, but head down any of the tiny dirt roads and you will find a plethora of hotels and a breathtaking beach.

I first visited Monterrico for the beaches and laid-back vibe, but what really stole my heart was watching the baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean, a small but unforgettable slice of Guatemalan life.

While Guatemala is not generally considered a ‘relax on the beach’ destination, coastal towns like Monterrico, El Paredon and Livingston are becoming increasingly popular. Monterrico has however, retained its charm as a surprisingly unspoiled destination, despite its growing popularity,

Whether you’re coming to soak up the sun, experience a turtle release, or explore local markets and mangroves, this guide will show you how to get there, where to stay, and what to do. Monterrico is one of the most beautiful beaches in Guatemala and is the easiest to access. I’ve also included updated tips for shuttles, accommodations, and must-see spots to help you plan your visit like a pro.

Why you should visit Monterrico Guatemala

The iconic jet black volcanic sand beaches of Monterrico stretch untouched for miles. Monterrico is wild and untamed and maintains that feeling of finding an untouched gem while traveling.

Yet of course with a number of hotels to choose from, Monterrico, in its wildness, does not lack modern amenities.  The sleepy laid back town of Monterrico, when coupled with its breathtaking natural beach, makes visiting this town a must-do while exploring Guatemala.

For those who love sea turtles and have always wanted to witness nesting or to take part in the releasing of turtles, Monterrico is one of the best destinations in Central America to partake in this magical experience.

If you’re looking to spend a few days relaxing at a beach while on your Guatemalan adventure, Monterrico is the best place to stop. You can grab a beach umbrella, take a nap, splash in the water, enjoy the tropical vibes and see what might just be the best sunsets in the country.

Things to do in Monterrico

Monterrico is all about slowing down and leaning into simple, meaningful experiences. While it’s not packed with attractions, what it offers feels deeply connected to the land, wildlife, and local way of life.

Relax on the Best Beach in Guatemala

What better place to dig your toes into the sand and soak up the sun then Monterrico Guatemala! Monterrico is a true beach destination so lay your towel down and take a nap in the sun. Stress-free, you can grab a chair at a beach bar and read your book while you listen to the waves crash onto the shore.

One of the best things to do in Monterrico is to get lazy on the beach.  Be careful though, the black sand can get really hot during the afternoon! 

Swim in the ocean at Monterrico

Grab your bathing suit and take a dip in the ocean. You can’t visit the beach without jumping into the water at least once. Just spending a little time in the heat of Monterrico will have you itching to dive into the warm pacific ocean. Unleash your inner child and spend some time playing in the waves.

Be aware of the riptides and undertow in Monterrico. Stay safe by making sure you swim close to shore, and read the suggested safety advice below. This isn’t the ocean destination to test the waters. 

Take a Mangrove Tour

If you are looking for an activity to take part in, you can join one of the organized tours of the mangroves at the Hawaii-Monterrico Biotopo.

Walk to the end of the street and hire a local guide. They will take you to the estuary early in the morning around 5:00am. This is the best time to spot wildlife. You can take tours on kayaks, paddle boards, or on small non-motorized boats. You can also BOOK A MANGROVE TOUR HERE ahead of time to guarantee your place

If you only have one day to visit Monterrico, you can book a tour that leaves from Antigua! If you are going to book a tour, this is the one! Book it here!

Participate in a Sea Turtle Release

Every year hundreds of turtles come ashore in Monterrico to lay their eggs. Monterrico serves as a main nesting area for Giant Leatherback Turtles, Green Sea Turtles and Olive Ridley Turtles. Seeing turtles nesting in Monterrico is one of the main draws for visiting the area. The best time to observe nesting turtles in Monterrico is between Ausgust and December.

While in Monterrico Guatemala, you can also pay a visit to the turtle hatchery Tortugario Monterrico (CECON). Located in the heart of town, turtle eggs are reburied to hatch under protection and are released when they are ready.  It is here where you will learn more about turtles and conservation.

During the turtle hatching season, conservationists and volunteers release newborn turtles back to the sea everyday before sunset. You can pay GTQ 10 to the sanctuary to release your own turtle. Show up around 5:30pm.

Best season: August to December

Catch the sunset

Monterrico is home to the best sunsets in Guatemala. There is nothing better than watching the orange glow of the sunset hit the Pacific Ocean mist. It is magical. Grab a cold drink and go for a sunset beach walk, as the sand will finally be cool enough to walk on. Enjoy Guatemala’s most epic golden hour. 

Enjoy the relaxing environment

Realistically, there is not much to do in Monterrico Guatemala. It is a true lazy beach destination and for those who prefer slow travel, its a great place to spend some time in Guatemala. With sleepy beach days, hot weather, and beach bar outings, Monterrico is a great place to recharge your batteries. You will feel absolutely no pressure to do anything outside of enjoying the atmosphere, which is perfect.

Eat Fresh Seafood

Monterrico is known for simple, fresh seafood dishes. Look for small local restaurants serving grilled fish, shrimp, and ceviche. Meals are affordable and oh so flavorful.

How to get to Monterrico (Updated for 2026)

Monterrico is located on Guatemala’s Pacific coast and is most commonly reached from Antigua or Guatemala City. While it’s not difficult to get to, planning your transportion in advance makes the trip much smoother.

Tourist Shuttles and how they work

Guatemalan tourist shuttles, run by INGUAT, are the best and easiest way to travel around Guatemala. Personally I wouldn’t choose any other avenue.

To grab a tourist shuttle, all you need to do is inform the front desk at which ever hostel/hotel/resort you are staying at. All of the accommodations work with the INGUAT shuttles equally regardless of the cost of your accommodation. You can find more about transportation in Guatemala here.

Your accommodations will tell you what time the shuttle will arrive and you will pay for it at your hotel.

Shuttle from Antigua/Guatemala City (Most Popular Option)

• Travel time: ~3–4 hours
• 2026 price: $20–30 USD one way
• Best for: Solo travelers, backpackers, first-time visitors

Shuttle from Panajachel (Lake Atitlán)

Shuttles from Panajachel to Monterrico are available, but they’re usually less frequent than routes from Antigua.

• Travel time: ~5–6 hours
• 2026 price: $35–50 USD one way
• Best for: Travelers coming directly from Lake Atitlán without backtracking

This option is convenient if you want to move straight from the lake to the coast, but booking ahead is strongly recommended due to limited daily departures.

Rent a car and drive

If you are willing, you can always rent a car to get to Monterrico. If you are driving from Antigua or Guatemala City, follow the road to Escuintla, Puerto Quetzal until you reach Monterrico. It should take you about 2 hours. Road conditions vary, but the drive to Monterrico is generally manageable.

• Rental cost: $40–70 USD per day (plus fuel)
• Best for: Confident drivers, longer trips

If you are feeling adventurous, you can also drive from Escuintla to Taxisco to La Avallena. Once in Avellena you will need to take a ferry through the Canal de Chiquimulilla. The ferry is much more adventurous than you might imagine. It’s more like a tiny barge that you drive on to that fits just one car. As you travel down the canal you see water on both sides of your vehicle and while you might think you are going to sink, you won’t. Its a great experience and a delight to watch the shoreline of the canal pass you by. 

Day tour to Monterrico from Guatemala City/Antigua

If you only have one day to explore Monterrico, you can take a one day tour from either Guatemala City or Antigua. One day is absolutely enough time to explore and get the flavour of Monterrico. So even if you are pressed for time, I still recommend adding a visit to Monterrico to your Guatemala Itinerary. 

You can also go self guided and simply book a round-trip tourist shuttle from Antigua, which leaves at 8:00am and returns 3:00pm in the afternoon. 

Monterrico Tours I would Actually Book

Day Tour Antigua to Monterrico | Book it Here!
Mangrove Tour in Monterrico | Book it Here!
Full Day Monterrico Tour | Book it Here!
Overnight Adventure Tour to Monterrico | Book it Here!

Arriving by Chicken Bus

This is my least recommended route to Monterrico beach. I personally find many people use the chicken bus experience to view poverty as tourism. However, if this is something you must do. There are direct buses that leave from Guatemala City’s Terminal Central Sur in Zone 12 to Monterrico.

Private Transfer

Hiring a private car is the fastest and most flexible option.

Travel time: ~3 hours
2026 price: $100–150 USD per vehicle
Best for: Couples, groups, travelers on a tight schedule
This option allows you to leave when you want and stop along the way.

When is the best time to visit Monterrico

Monterrico is a stunning destination in Guatemala year round. The weather and water temperatures don’t fluctuate much, so it is always a good time to visit the most beautiful beach in Guatemala.

However, if you want to see turtles nesting, then you will need to plan your trip more carefully.

The best time to visit Monterrico during the turtle season is between June and December. With August and September being the nesting months.

Best Places to Stay in Monterrico Guatemala

Monterrico is still relatively raw and under-developed but there are a good number of hotels along the beach to choose from. While you might not find extreme luxury in Monterrico, the compromise is that the price is much more reasonable. 

Monterrico is a beautiful budget-friendly destination that accommodates backpackers, family travellers, couples, and solo travellers. Here are the best places to stay in Monterrico for every type of traveller and budget.

Visit on a Weekday

Monterrico is the closest beach/beachtown to Guatemala City and Antigua. This means that locals use Monterrico as their prime vacation destination. The result is that Monterrico can get quite busy on the weekend as nationals enjoy a tropical city break on the beach. If you can, it is best to plan your trip on a week day when Monterrico is less crowded.

Budget | Hotel El Delfin

This is the obvious choice for budget travellers and backpackers. It is the most affordable hotel/hostel in Monterrico. Hotel el Delfin has a great location, friendly staff, a pool, restaurant, and an unreal beachfront terrace. You can book a private room for $21, or a dorm for $7.

Mid-Range | Hotel Pazifico en Monterrico

If you are wanting to move away from the backpacking crowd. Hotel Pazifico en Monterrico offers nice clean rooms, great amenities, good food, and an outdoor pool. It’s located right on the beach. With an excellent price, this is a great option and one of the best places to stay in Monterrico. Double rooms run for $60/night.

Luxury | Hotel Casa Real Boutique Monterrico

With beautiful grounds right on the beach, Hotel Casa Real Boutique Monterrico is the epitome of luxury in Monterrico. All for $110/night.  This hotel offers clean, chic, air-conditioned rooms, an onsite restaurant, and a gorgeous pool to swim in. Hotel Casa Real Boutique Monterrico is a beautiful and stylish hotel that is thoughtfully taken care of and is the best place to stay in Monterrico.

6 Tips for a successful visit

Bring Cash

Bring a fair amount of cash with you. While hotels generally take card, not everywhere does. There is only one ATM in town, located in the convenience store, and once it’s out of cash, it’s out of cash. It is better to be prepared. Take cash for street stands, restaurants, cafes, bars, rentals, tours and what ever else you may need it for.

The Black Sand Beaches get Hot to Walk On

Dark colours tend to absorb heat. The black volcanic sand in Monterrico can get pretty hot in the afternoon. While it is really cool to explore a jet black beach made from volcanic sand, you might have a hard time walking along the beach barefoot after 10:00am.

You won’t find pristine white sand beaches anywhere on this coast, so make sure you’re prepared with beach shoes, or do your walks in the morning or evening. Monterrico has a pretty hot climate during the day and an is even hotter beach surface. 

Swim Shallow because of the Extreme Riptides

Monterrico is famous for having unpredictable riptides. Swimmers must use caution when enjoying the ocean in Monterrico. Even if you consider yourself an above average swimmer, with riptides and huge waves crashing on the beach, it is best to swim close to shore. 

A Good Spot for Advanced Surfers

If you are an advanced surfer, then Monterrico has some great waves. However with the aforementioned dangerous swimming conditions, it can be difficult to get out to the break. These activities should be left to the professionals, or make your way toEl Paredon down the coast which is more accommodating for visitors wishing to learn to surf.

Bring Bug Spray

Monterrico is a tropical paradise on the beaches of Central America, expect bugs. Being surrounded by tropical flora in 95% humidity means there can be a few mosquitos, gnats, noseeums, what ever you choose to call them. When the sun starts to set, and the witching hour arrives, you’ll want to make sure you have enough bug spray to douse yourself with.

How Many Days Should you Spend in Monterrico

While it is possible to visit Monterrico in just one day, this is something I only recommend to those pressed for time. If you can, it is recommended that you plan to stay in Monterrico for 2 to 3 nights. With travel on either side, this give you two full beach days. The perfect number of days to unwind and relax while enjoying the hot sun and warm ocean breeze. 

Is Monterrico Guatemala Safe?

While some parts of Guatemala are still considered unsafe, towns like Monterrico, which rely on tourism are reasonably safe to visit.

During the day you should feel comfortable exploring the area. However you should be more careful after dark wandering through poorly lit areas. It is best to stay in busy spots and to have a buddy.

It is also extremely important to understand that Monterrico’s beach is known for unpredictable riptides and somewhat dangerous conditions for swimming. Even if you consider yourself a good swimmer, it is still best to stay close to the shore and don’t go out too deep. 

Monterrico Vs. El Paredon: The Great Debate. Which Guatemalan Beach Town is Better for you?

Monterrico and El Paredon are the two most visited beach towns in Guatemala. This is due to their proximity to Antigua and Guatemala City. You might be wondering if you should visit both towns and If not, which of these two beach towns are right for you?

Realistically, visiting both towns on the same trip is unnecessary. From both a scenery and activity perspective, these two towns are more alike than different. There are a few things that separates them, but either way you will have a pleasant experience.

Both towns are small, taking no more than twenty minutes to cross, however Monterrico’s resorts span a larger distance outside of town. The scenery of both beaches are the same and they both experience strong currents. Both have epic sunrises and sunsets, and have nesting turtles.

Montericco is the original Guatemalan beach destination so it can get a little crowded. It’s a favourite to the locals while El Paredon is more favoured by backpackers. If your goal is to immerse yourself in local culture, Monterrico is the choice. 

El Paredon is a popular surfer and backpacker destination. There are tons of english speaking instructors and employees. Due to the fact that El Paredon is an up and coming destination, there are no larger hotels or resorts here. This means you will be staying in hostels and boutique hotels with smaller pools, and higher prices due to the traveling crowd.

There are a number of international restaurants in El Paredon, where Monterrico is more typically Guatemalan. El Paredon is easier to get to from Lake Atitilan but Monterrico is a quicker trip from Antigua and Guatemala City. Regardless of which town you choose, the highlights are going to be similar, and you are going to have a great time, so pick one. 

El Paredon is Guatemala’s only surf destination. If you’re looking for backpacker vibes, this laid back town down the road from Monterrico is for you! I have a complete guide to visiting El Paredon which you can find here that includes places to stay, where to eat and things to do.

Monterrico Quick FAQ

Is Monterrico Worth Visiting?

Monterrico isn’t the kind of beach destination with tons of resorts, nightlife, or polished tourist infrastructure, which is exactly why it’s special. This is a place where time slows down, days revolve around the tides, and the beach feels raw and real.

I loved Monterrico for its contrast to Guatemala’s highlands. After time in Antigua or Lake Atitlán, the heat, black sand beaches, and laid-back pace felt grounding. Watching sea turtles being released at sunset was easily one of the most meaningful experiences I had in the country.

If you’re looking for pristine white-sand beaches and luxury amenities, Monterrico may not be for you. But if you value local experiences, wildlife, and off-the-beaten-path travel, it’s absolutely worth the trip.

Whether you’re planning a short coastal escape from Antigua or adding Monterrico to a longer Guatemala itinerary, taking the time to visit is well worth it, especially if you stay overnight and experience the town beyond a quick day trip.

👉 Save this guide for later when you’re planning your Guatemala route
👉 Book your transport or tours in advance to secure the best prices
👉 Have you been to Monterrico? I’d love to hear about your experience, DM me on Instagram and let’s chat!

Where to go After

If you’re planning to stay in Guatemala, from Monterrico the next best step is to explore Lake Atitlan and it’s 11 towns. This epic lake is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and is just a short distance/shuttle from Monterrico. Here is a quick guide to visiting Lake Atitlan to help you choose which town to stay in.

From Monterrico you can also head into Antigua, the tourism hot spot of the country. Here you can soak up culture and food in one of the prettiest colonial towns in Central America. This is also where you catch the famous erupting volcano hike up Acatenango. 

If your are on a beach holiday and looking for the next best beach destination, Belize is just a short hop away. Here is a good places to start and everything you need to plan a trip to Southern Belize and Placencia!

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