About Monterrico
Monterrico is a small beach town located 2.5 hours from Antigua or Guatemala City. It is known for it’s volcanic black sand beach, sea turtles, and breathtaking sunsets. There is an abundance of fresh seafood, with fresh fish and shrimp available from local fishermen. During the week, Monterrico is a quiet place to relax, enjoy a good book, and watch the sunset from your hammock. On the weekend, the town comes alive with people from all over Guatemala looking for a good time and a chance to party on the beach.
How to Get There
There are daily shuttles leaving from Antigua at 8AM and leaving Monterrico for Antigua at 4PM, making it an ideal option for a day trip. The best option for Shuttles is Monja Blanca Expeditions in Antigua (502) 7832-8798, on the same block as McDonalds, across from Picadilly Restaurant).
If you would like to come by chicken bus: Antigua-Escuintla, Escuintla-Taxisco, Taxisco-Avellana, and then in Avellana you will take a 20min small boat (lancha) through the mangroves to arrive in Monterrico.
You can also go by Antigua-Escuintla, Escuintla-Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Quetzal-Puerto Viejo, Puerto Viejo-Monterrico. Going by Taxisco is more pleasant, as it goes through the countryside and passes through the mangrove.
PRIVATE TAXI is available to / from Monterrico.
Antigua/Guatemala City/Airport Q700
Lake Atitlan Q1,000 El Salvador Q1,000
*Max 4 people
Please notify us a few days in advance to arrange pick up, 50% deposit paid by Credit Card is required for pick up. Please send an email with all details regarding pick up (address, time requested, date, how many people, etc.)
Onward Travel: El Salvador and its beaches are easily reached by chicken bus from Taxisco. It is also possible to go to Lake Atitlan, Xela, the Mexican Border, and many other places by returning to Escuintla by chicken bus.
Monterrico is a small beach town located 2.5 hours from Antigua or Guatemala City. It is known for it’s volcanic black sand beach, sea turtles, and breathtaking sunsets. There is an abundance of fresh seafood, with fresh fish and shrimp available from local fishermen. During the week, Monterrico is a quiet place to relax, enjoy a good book, and watch the sunset from your hammock. On the weekend, the town comes alive with people from all over Guatemala looking for a good time and a chance to party on the beach.
How to Get There
There are daily shuttles leaving from Antigua at 8AM and leaving Monterrico for Antigua at 4PM, making it an ideal option for a day trip. The best option for Shuttles is Monja Blanca Expeditions in Antigua (502) 7832-8798, on the same block as McDonalds, across from Picadilly Restaurant).
If you would like to come by chicken bus: Antigua-Escuintla, Escuintla-Taxisco, Taxisco-Avellana, and then in Avellana you will take a 20min small boat (lancha) through the mangroves to arrive in Monterrico.
You can also go by Antigua-Escuintla, Escuintla-Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Quetzal-Puerto Viejo, Puerto Viejo-Monterrico. Going by Taxisco is more pleasant, as it goes through the countryside and passes through the mangrove.
PRIVATE TAXI is available to / from Monterrico.
Antigua/Guatemala City/Airport Q700
Lake Atitlan Q1,000 El Salvador Q1,000
*Max 4 people
Please notify us a few days in advance to arrange pick up, 50% deposit paid by Credit Card is required for pick up. Please send an email with all details regarding pick up (address, time requested, date, how many people, etc.)
Onward Travel: El Salvador and its beaches are easily reached by chicken bus from Taxisco. It is also possible to go to Lake Atitlan, Xela, the Mexican Border, and many other places by returning to Escuintla by chicken bus.
Tours
Mangrove Tour
Q 50-100 per person, depending on time of day and number of people. A 1.5 hour trip in a boat without motor to see the sunrise and animals waking up in the mangroves. Your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel at 5AM. Bring water and your camera!
Turtle Walk
Q50-100 per person, depending on time of day and number of people. Normally a 2 hour walking trip along the beach to see turtles laying their eggs in the sand. Your guide will pick you up at the hotel at 8pm usually. Please don’t take photos as the flash can disturb the turtles and stop them from laying!
Artisanal Fishing
1 Person Q250/ 2 people Q300/ 3 or more people Q100 per person. 3.5 hours in a boat with motor to Puente Grande, learn how to fish like the locals with a hand-thrown net! We can cook whatever you catch or freeze it to take home with you.
Ocean Fishing
1-2 people Q700. About 2 hours, leaving in a boat with motor directly from the beach. Because there is no dock, this trip is only possible when the waves permit.
Luis’s Day Tour to La Barra and Parque Hawaii
$45 Adults $40 Children Including lunch, transportation and entrance to the park in Hawaii. This is a great option to see the mangroves, Parque Hawaii and La Barra (the beach where the mangroves meet the ocean).
Activities
Learn Spanish at Proyecto Linguistico Spanish School:
http://www.monterrico-guatemala.com/spanish-school.php
We have had many students stay with us while they study Spanish. The school can arrange a home-stay and they also have a 2 room bungalow with kitchen if you prefer to do your own cooking! Monterrico is a great place to study Spanish if you would like a quiet environment during the week to study.
Turtle Release
Q10 per baby turtle, released in groups on the beach, money goes toward buying eggs from the locals and other conservation projects, normally around sunset. From late July-January.
Horseback Riding
Q100 per person, 1 hour. Go for a ride at a walking pace along the beach.
ATV/4-Wheeler Rental
Prices Vary
ARCAS Park in Hawaii A turtle hatchery and mangrove conservation project located
about 20mins from Monterrico in Hawaii. They accept volunteers, especially during turtle season (July-November).
Check them out at www.arcasguatemala.com
AutoSafari Chapin Entrance to the park is Q70 Adults and Q50 Children. Located
about an hour and a half by bus, it is a safari wildlife park. The fee includes pool access and a tour through the bus in a mini-bus. Contact: 5517-1705 or their website www.autosafarichapin.com
Mangrove Tour
Q 50-100 per person, depending on time of day and number of people. A 1.5 hour trip in a boat without motor to see the sunrise and animals waking up in the mangroves. Your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel at 5AM. Bring water and your camera!
Turtle Walk
Q50-100 per person, depending on time of day and number of people. Normally a 2 hour walking trip along the beach to see turtles laying their eggs in the sand. Your guide will pick you up at the hotel at 8pm usually. Please don’t take photos as the flash can disturb the turtles and stop them from laying!
Artisanal Fishing
1 Person Q250/ 2 people Q300/ 3 or more people Q100 per person. 3.5 hours in a boat with motor to Puente Grande, learn how to fish like the locals with a hand-thrown net! We can cook whatever you catch or freeze it to take home with you.
Ocean Fishing
1-2 people Q700. About 2 hours, leaving in a boat with motor directly from the beach. Because there is no dock, this trip is only possible when the waves permit.
Luis’s Day Tour to La Barra and Parque Hawaii
$45 Adults $40 Children Including lunch, transportation and entrance to the park in Hawaii. This is a great option to see the mangroves, Parque Hawaii and La Barra (the beach where the mangroves meet the ocean).
Activities
Learn Spanish at Proyecto Linguistico Spanish School:
http://www.monterrico-guatemala.com/spanish-school.php
We have had many students stay with us while they study Spanish. The school can arrange a home-stay and they also have a 2 room bungalow with kitchen if you prefer to do your own cooking! Monterrico is a great place to study Spanish if you would like a quiet environment during the week to study.
Turtle Release
Q10 per baby turtle, released in groups on the beach, money goes toward buying eggs from the locals and other conservation projects, normally around sunset. From late July-January.
Horseback Riding
Q100 per person, 1 hour. Go for a ride at a walking pace along the beach.
ATV/4-Wheeler Rental
Prices Vary
ARCAS Park in Hawaii A turtle hatchery and mangrove conservation project located
about 20mins from Monterrico in Hawaii. They accept volunteers, especially during turtle season (July-November).
Check them out at www.arcasguatemala.com
AutoSafari Chapin Entrance to the park is Q70 Adults and Q50 Children. Located
about an hour and a half by bus, it is a safari wildlife park. The fee includes pool access and a tour through the bus in a mini-bus. Contact: 5517-1705 or their website www.autosafarichapin.com