The Best Beaches To Visit In Guatemala

Guatemala boasts both Pacific and Caribbean coasts, as well as impressive rivers and lakes. Here are some of the best beaches to visit.

Monterrico

This popular beach town is within easy reach of Guatemala City and fills up on the weekends with city-dwellers who want some sun and sand. Visit during the week for more peace and quiet, as well as lower prices. Be careful of strong riptides if you do go swimming as there are no lifeguards here.

El Paredon

http://instagram.com/p/BdGvvMenEPv/?taken-at=402746401

Iztapa

This small port town was used by the Spanish conquistadors to build and harbor the ships used to sail to Peru. Since those heady days Iztapa has largely sunk back into anonymity, although there are good surf breaks here. You will also find great fishing, and the port draws sportfishing fans from around the world.

Playa Tilapa

Up near the Mexican border on the Pacific coast lies the isolated beach of Playa Tilapa. The breaks make it a popular destination with surfers, and there is a real sense of calm. Chat to the fishermen and buy some of their catch each morning for some amazingly fresh seafood.

Champerico

If you’ve been exploring Guatemalan Instagram, you may well have seen the famous wooden pier at Champerico. Aside from photo opportunities, the small town draws visitors for its great waves and laid-back atmosphere. It’s only a few hours’ drive from the northern city of Quetzaltenango, so you can pop down from the mountains for some hot weather.

Livingston

Over on the Caribbean coast lies the unique town of Livingston, accessible only by boat. Originally populated by the Garifuna community, the town also welcomed Mayans fleeing the civil war in the late 20th century. The mixture of cultures is fascinating, and there are good beaches to explore too.

Punta de Manabique

Some 20 kilometres north of the port city of Puerto Barrios lie the Caribbean beaches of Punta de Manabique. In 1999 the whole area was declared a wildlife reserve, and its rainforests and mangrove forests teem with life. Come here if you want to combine nature-watching with some relaxing beach time.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.