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Town in Santa Rosa, Guatemala
Photo: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Monterrico is the most popular beach in Guatemala and also the closest to Guatemala City and Antigua. The beaches are full of interesting but awkward steep angles due to the strength of the pounding surf. The ocean floor here drops off very steeply after only 6-12 m (20- 40 feet), making the undertow here very strong; only strong swimmers should venture out very far. This topography also provides some nice waves for surfing. There are lifeguards on duty during the weekend. Don't forget to bring some sandals as the sand is of the black volcanic variety. It is a stunning feature for the beauty of it, but it is too hot to walk on after 10am. The beach is 15-25 m (50-80 feet) wide and stretches for miles. It is busiest(not crowded by any measure) on Sunday with mostly Guatemalans.
Johnny's Place Hotel
This new beach bar is located at Johnny's Place. It is open Fridays and Saturdays from 20:00. They have DJ and VJ with reggeaton, salsa, electro and houyse music. Cocktails are very good (ask for lady special!). The happy hour is from 20:00 till 23:00 every weekend. Spectacular fire show every Saturday with Cesar.
One of the best hotels in Monterrico
Tel +502 5812-0409, +502 4369-6900. Q190/150 double weekend/weekdays. Dorms (~Q45 per bed), private rooms, pools, traditional bungalows, deluxe bungalows and private houses. Pools, great restaurant, beach soccer and volleyball every afternoon. Accepts VISA cards with a 5% surcharge.
(owner Antonio López). Pool and a small bar. Q150 double.
By public bus: From Guatemala City to Iztapa (from the bus terminal in zona 4, 05:00-18:00 more or less every hour, 1 hour and 45 min), boat across the canal of Chiquimulilla to Puerto Viejo, and from there by bus to…
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