EXPERT TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE BEST BEACHES IN GUATEMALA

1. Is Guatemala in the Caribbean?

Guatemala is located in the middle of Central America, with a long stretch of Pacific Ocean on its western edge and a small bay along the Caribbean to the east. Mexico lies to its northwest, Belize to its northeast and Honduras directly east while El Salvador hugs the country’s southeastern corner. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, with a population of around 16.6 million people and centers around the capital, Guatemala City.

2. Does Guatemala have a coastline?

While Guatemala is a largely mountainous country, it also boasts around 250 miles (400 kilometers) of coastline that’s divided between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Pacific coastline stretches for around 190 miles (300 kilometers) between El Salvador and Mexico while the Caribbean coastline hugs Amatique Bay between Honduras and Belize.

Most Guatemala’s large cities are concentrated in the highlands and along the Pacific coast, with the Caribbean scattered with small villages and town. Short and shallow rivers drain into the Pacific Ocean while larger and deeper waterways, such as the Dulce River end their journey in the Caribbean. The best beaches in Guatemala for surfing are on the Pacific Coast while the most popular of Guatemala beaches for a tropical vacation are on the Caribbean side.

3. Are there Guatemala beaches in Antigua?

No, Antigua is a highland city in southern Guatemala that’s around 50 miles (85 kilometers) or two hours’ drive from the Pacific Coast city of Puerto San Jose. Rather than being a beachside destination, Antigua is renowned for its Spanish colonial architecture, with the majority of buildings restored or rebuilt following an earthquake in 1773. It was following this natural disaster that Guatemala’s capital was moved from Antigua to Guatemala City where it still lies today.

Antigua is a popular destination for travelers wanting to delve into the local culture, with everything from handicraft workshops to Spanish language classes and salsa lessons on offer. Surrounded by volcanoes, the city is also a popular base for venturing into the great outdoors. Hiking to the crater rim of Volcán Pacaya offers an incredible opportunity to peer into its steaming belly or you can attempt the summit of the highest peak in the region, Volcán Acatenango. Antigua is also famed for its annual Semana Santa (Holy Week) parades and rituals that ignite the city’s historic churches and plazas.

4. How many Guatemala beaches does Antigua have?

Antigua doesn’t have any beaches as it’s a land-locked highland city. But it’s just under two hours’ drive from the Pacific Coast and some of the best beach resorts in Guatemala. Aside from the black sands of Puerto San Jose, you can also head to ever-popular Monterrico a short hop east. The surf beaches of Itzapa and El Paredon are also nearby and have a more laid-back atmosphere for travelers wanting to escape the crowds. If you travel further west along the Pacific Coast, you’ll arrive in the beach town of Champerico and eventually Playa Tilapa near the Mexican border.

5. What do the Guatemala beaches look like in?

When you look at pictures of Guatemala beaches, you’ll see that they contrast drastically between the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. The best Guatemala beaches along the Pacific Coast are mostly black and composed of volcanic minerals and lava fragments from the country’s active volcanoes. Black sand beaches tend to be heavier than light-colored sands and can become very hot on sunny days.

Guatemala’s Caribbean Coast beaches are generally composed of white sand, with swaying palms that give them a quintessential tropical feel. Most of the Caribbean beaches are located along a relatively protected bay while the Pacific beaches are exposed to ocean swells and renowned for their great surf.

6. Why are Guatemala beaches black?

Guatemala’s Pacific Coast beaches are mostly black due to the active volcanoes in the country. Black sand beaches are a result of dark-colored volcanic minerals and rocks (such as basalt), which have been transported over millennia from the highland regions to the coast. Most volcanic minerals are not very stable and decompose rapidly, resulting in the black sands of Monterrico and Champerico’s Guatemala beach resorts.

7. How safe is it travel to Guatemala’s beaches?

While Guatemala endured a bloody civil war from 1960 to 1996, the country is now a calm and relatively safe country to visit. Crime does still occur in both cities and coastal villages but the days of robbers targeting tourist buses and rental cars appear to be in the past.

Like much of Central America, high rates of poverty and the drug trade still impact the country and travelers should remain vigilant. Most crime revolves around pickpocketing, so avoid flaunting expensive cameras, jewelry or wallets. Traveler scams are also not uncommon, so be wary if you’re being asked for money or find yourself in a situation that doesn’t feel right.

ATM card cloning is also an issue in Guatemala, with card reading devices often attached to ATMs to collect your data, which is then used to empty your account. To be on the safe side, use ATMs inside shopping malls or supermarkets that are more difficult for criminals to tamper with.

Few (if any) beaches in Guatemala have lifeguards monitoring the water, so always swim with caution. Check at your hotel or guesthouse about rips or strong currents and never proceed into deep water unless you’re a competent swimmer who can handle the conditions. Some of Guatemala’s surf breaks are not for beginners, so never paddle out unless you’re accompanied by a guide or an experienced surfer.