Major city · Guatemala
Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa
A half-day stop for pre-Hispanic boulder sculptures and sugar-plantation history, not a base. One night only if you need to break the Pacific coast route.
Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa (often called just Santa) is a hot, busy sugar-mill town in the Pacific Lowlands. Its draw is the cluster of pre-Hispanic stone sculptures at El Baúl, Bilbao and La Democracia, plus the small on-site museum at El Baúl. Most travellers pass through on the way between Escuintla and Mazatenango; the town itself has limited accommodation and dining.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, heavy downpours)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetySanta Lucía Cotzumalguapa is generally safe by day, but avoid walking alone after dark in the outskirts.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numberscheck110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (check) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 1.5–2 h by bus or shuttle via Escuintla).
- Getting aroundWalk the compact centre; tuk-tuks and taxis for El Baúl, Bilbao and La Democracia (negotiate the fare before you get in).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet snack (tostadas, fruit)Q10–20
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk within townQ10–20
- Budget bedBasic hotel or guesthouse room, a night, per roomGTQ 150
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel or guesthouse room, a night, per roomGTQ 300
- High-end bedBasic hotel or guesthouse room, a night, per roomGTQ 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 450 · High GTQ 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 1.5–2 h by bus or shuttle via Escuintla)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Jun (18 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the compact centre; tuk-tuks and taxis for El Baúl, Bilbao and La Democracia (negotiate the fare before you get in).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus via Escuintla and Taxisco, about 2 h
Black-sand beach and turtle sanctuary; a full day.
Retalhuleu
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus via Mazatenango, about 1.5 h
Pre-Hispanic Tak'alik Ab'aj site and Xocomil water park.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus via Mazatenango, then colectivo, about 2 h
Cloud-forest lodge and coffee fincas; better as an overnight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few basic hotels and guesthouses near the main square; limited options, book ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q350–600 excl. bed
- High
- Q600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel or guesthouse room1 × 1 night × GTQ 300 | GTQ 300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 450 | GTQ 900 |
| Tuk-tuk to El Baúl (round trip, wait time)1 × GTQ 100 · check | GTQ 100 |
| Bus to Escuintla or Mazatenango2 × GTQ 25 | GTQ 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 135 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 743 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 1,485 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Escuintla → Santa Lucía | Q15–25 |
| Tuk-tuk within town | Q10–20 |
| Street snack (tostadas, fruit) | Q10–20 |
| Set lunch (comida corriente) | Q30–50 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | Q8–12 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ice in drinks is not safe: ask for sin hielo even in chain restaurants.
- The sugar refineries operate year-round; the air can smell strongly of burnt sugar.
- El Baúl and Bilbao are on private sugar-cane land: ask permission at the plantation office or go with a local guide.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance (check)
- 1500
Pocket card
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Santa Lucía CotzumalguapaSanta Lucía Cotzumalguapa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance (check)1500
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Guatemala City; most other countries have embassies there as well.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Guatemala City → Santa Lucía: about Q40–60, 1.5–2 h (check)
- Tuk-tuk to El Baúl: Q80–120 round trip with wait (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días / Buenas tardes — Hello
- Gracias — Thank you
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- Sin hielo, por favor — Without ice, please
- ¿Dónde está el museo? — Where is the museum?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, heavy downpours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa
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