Major city · Guatemala
Monterrico
Go for 2 nights midweek: black-sand surf beach, mangrove boat and turtle releases. Skip if you want calm swimming — the drop-off and undertow are real.
Monterrico is Guatemala's closest Pacific beach to the capital and Antigua: one long strip of black volcanic sand, a canal-and-mangrove lagoon behind it, and a village that runs on seafood, hammocks and sunset. Two nights is the honest answer — one to arrive and settle, one full day for the mangrove boat and a turtle release, then leave. It is a relax-and-eat destination, not a sightseeing one, and the surf is strong enough that weak swimmers should stay shallow. Weekends fill with Guatemalan families and prices rise; midweek is quieter and cheaper.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- avoid Sep–Oct (wettest), and weekends if you want quiet
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 2
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Monterrico110 ▾
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 Monterrico, 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
- SafetyThe village is small and calm; the real risk is the water.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 or 123 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (INGUAT) (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, Guatemala City (About 2.5–3.5 h by road via Escuintla and Taxisco; no commercial airport at Monterrico.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet chicken sandwich or fried chicken with friesQ5–15
- Beercold bottle at a beach bar / tiendaQ20–35Q10–15
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk across the villagecheckQ5–15
- Budget bedHostel or budget room, a night, per personGTQ 60
- Mid-range bedBeachfront double room, a night, per roomGTQ 400
- High-end bedBeachfront double room, a night, per roomGTQ 900
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 500 · High GTQ 1,000
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, Guatemala City (About 2.5–3.5 h by road via Escuintla and Taxisco; no commercial airport at Monterrico.)
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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°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: Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Sep (20 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Monterrico: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°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
The village is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes. Tuk-tuks and pickups cover the rest; boats run on the canal to the mangrove and to the La Avellana / Puerto Viejo crossings. Bikes and horses can be hired on the beach strip.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Paredón
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3.5 h
Road via Taxisco and Sipacate, or a boat-and-road combination
Another surf village on the same coast; treat it as a separate stop, not a day return.
Puerto San José
cautionDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Road via Taxisco and Escuintla
Historic port town with a pier; limited reason to go unless you are passing through.
Door to door: 2.5–3 h
Direct shuttle from Calle Principal, usually 13:00 and 15:00 departuresDirect shuttle from Calle Principal, usually 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM departures
The standard onward leg; book a day ahead in high season.
Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa
skipDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Road via Escuintla
Sugar town with carved stones; only worth it if you are already driving that road.
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.
Beachfront strip (Calle de los Hoteles)
Hotels and restaurants facing the sand; walk to everything, but surf noise all night and the sand is too hot to cross barefoot after about 10:00.Hotels and restaurants facing the sand; walk to everything, but surf noise all night and the sand is too hot to cross barefoot after about 10:00 AM.
Calle Principal and village
Cheaper rooms, tiendas and street food; 5–10 min walk to the beach and the mangrove dock.
Lagoon side
Quieter, closer to the canal and birdlife; fewer places to eat, so you walk to the beach strip for dinner.
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
- Q350–700 excl. bed
- High
- Q700+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beachfront double room1 × 2 nights × GTQ 400 | GTQ 800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × GTQ 500 | GTQ 2,000 |
| Mangrove canal boat tour2 × GTQ 50 · check | GTQ 100 |
| Shuttle to Antigua, one way2 × GTQ 75 · check | GTQ 150 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × GTQ 100 | GTQ 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 325 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 894 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 3,575 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; transport to and from Monterrico excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Fresh coconut with the water inside | Q2–5 |
| Street chicken sandwich or fried chicken with fries | Q5–15 |
| Beachfront plate of seafood or fish | Q60–120 |
| Beer: cold bottle at a beach bar / tienda | Q20–35 / Q10–15 |
| 600 ml soft drink at a tienda | Q5–8 |
| Mangrove boat tour, about 2 hcheck | Q50–100 |
| Tuk-tuk across the villagecheck | Q5–15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The seabed drops steeply a few metres out and the undertow is strong: swim near others, never alone, and keep children shallow.
- Lifeguards are generally on duty at weekends only — check locally.
- There is one ATM in the village and it runs out of cash: bring quetzales for the whole stay.
- Card payments are limited and some places add a surcharge; treat cash as the default.
- Mosquitoes at dusk near the lagoon: bring repellent, and ask whether the room has a net.
- ATVs and light aircraft use the beach and airstrip; keep clear of both.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122 or 123
- Tourist assistance (INGUAT)
- 1500
Pocket card
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MonterricoMonterrico
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122 or 123
- Tourist assistance (INGUAT)1500
Embassy
No embassies in Monterrico; most are in Guatemala City. The US embassy is in Guatemala City (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shuttle Monterrico → Antigua: about Q75 one way, 2.5–3 h (check)
- Mangrove canal boat tour: Q50–100 per person, about 2 h (check)
- Tuk-tuk across the village: Q5–15 (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DON-de es-TA la PLA-ya)
- Quisiera un tour en lancha — I would like a boat tour (ki-SYE-ra un tour en LAN-cha)
- ¿Es seguro nadar aquí? — Is it safe to swim here? (es se-GU-ro na-DAR a-KI)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you accept cards? (a-SEP-tan tar-HE-ta)
Cash is king here: bring quetzales for the whole stay.
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 Monterrico. 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 Sep–Oct (wettest), and weekends if you want quiet · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GUA: shuttle departure windows, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: beach strip, Calle Principal, mangrove dock.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (mangrove tours, turtle releases) and eat pages with last orders.
- Surf and rain fixtures so the swim-safety and season gates can go green.