Exploring Monterrico In Guatemala (Local Guide)

Guatemala is home to some of the most pristine and beautiful towns.

We wanted to explore the natural charm of Guatemala’s locals and natural elements, which is why we took the opportunity to head to the gorgeous Monterrico.

For those residing in Guatemala, this is one of the more unique places along the Pacific coast.

During our time in Central American countries that speak English, we always had an eye towards Guatemala and its Pacific coast. We had heard good things about it and rightly so!

Monterrico is a town situated along the coast and is well-regarded for its delightful beaches. The ambiance of this town is welcoming and you are going to adore the beautiful views as the waves rustle in.

It was straight out of a postcard.

Of course, Monterrico is not just about the beaches but also the locals and volcanoes. You have people hiking for these views while others want to spend time viewing the various waterfalls in the area. There is so much natural beauty in Monterrico that you are going to get lost in all of it.

While you are not going to come here for Central American ancient ruins, you are going to want to relax on the shores here.

The views are stunning and worth it for anyone who’s in this part of the continent.

Best Time to Visit Monterrico

We know you are going to want to get the best part of Monterrico when you are coming to the Pacific coastline.

In general, we recommend coming between June and December. This is when the weather is going to be good and you are going to get to see the natural beauty flourish in Monterrico. Of course, it is okay to come throughout the year as the weather is stable here.

We feel it is better between June and December because you get to see more in Monterrico whether it has to do with the ambiance or the wildlife.

Things To Do In Monterrico

Mangrove Tours

This is one of the best tours in Monterrico and you are going to want to take them if possible.

These tours are going to be helmed by a local guide who will help take you through the area. This is going to include being able to boat through the waterways and see what the mangrove maze is all about. It’s a charming adventure and one you are going to adore when the local guide sheds light on the animals in the area.

It is always fun to do this and it’s a different experience to just sitting on the beach in Monterrico.

Beaches

For the average tourist, you are going to be coming to this side of Guatemala because you’re interested in the gorgeous beaches that are readily available to you.

Not only are the views great, but the soft sand is also going to be intriguing.

We loved the idea of a family coming here and just having a good time at a relaxing beach. The weather is great, the people are friendly, and the view is breathtaking. In a lot of ways, this is what makes Monterrico a winner for both tourists and locals.

We also took the time to head into the water for a bit as we love swimming. The water was great and it was fun to just enjoy as the waves rolled in.

Explore The Wildlife

In a country like this, you are going to get to see ample wildlife.

The wildlife in Guatemala is amazing and it’s going to be different from anything else that you have seen over the years. We loved being able to play with the turtles in the area because they have designed specific locations to take care of them

This allows you to see them in their habitat and also understand their importance in the ecosystem. You are going to get to see a wide array of turtle types in Monterrico.

How To Get To Monterrico

A lot of people are going to want to plan their trip to Monterrico by understanding how to get there as soon as possible.

In our estimation, the best option is to rent a car.

We had a great time with a rental car in Monterrico and it was fun to get to wherever we wanted without a fuss. Just fill up the tank, drive, and see whatever you want to see.

It doesn’t get better than this!

We had a great time in Monterrico and it was a lot of fun being able to drive around as much as we wanted.

Depending on where you are, it should be a 2-3 hour drive to Monterrico.

Of course, there are some regions where you are going to have to book a ferry ticket to get to Monterrico. Be prepared for this if you are in La Avallena as that is going to be how you are going to get to where you want to.

Some buses also run from the major areas around Guatemala to this side of the country. You are going to have to look up the schedule to see which bus is going to take you to Monterrico.

We highly recommend to go on a weekday.

The reason has to do with the rush and how difficult it is to find transportation if you are not renting a car in Guatemala. The best option is to go on a weekday and ensure you are going earlier in the day to avoid the rush on the beach.

We often see the locals show up at the beaches when the weekend rolls around because they also want to make the most of the gorgeous view.

Most people are going to be coming to this side of Monterrico for a day or two. This is all you are going to need as the average person is going to be heading straight to the beach. Of course, if you want to hike and/or see various parts of Monterrico then you can make it a longer trip for 3-4 days. It is up to you.

Final Thoughts

These are the details you need to be aware of when traveling to Monterrico.

We find this to be one of the most beautiful towns in Guatemala and worth taking a car or bus out to the area.

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