Monterrico

Guatemala, Guatemala

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Monterrico is a town on the Pacific coast of Guatemala in the Santa Rosa Department, renowned for its distinctive volcanic black sand beaches and as Guatemala's most popular and closest beach destination to Guatemala City and Antigua.

The town serves as a major weekend beach resort for Guatemalan citizens and has grown increasingly popular with foreign tourists due to its laid-back atmosphere and significant sea turtle conservation efforts. Monterrico's long stretch of beach is a critical breeding ground for four species of sea turtles, and several turtle conservation organizations operate local hatcheries called "tortugarios," where visitors can participate in turtle release activities and learn about conservation.

The area is situated within the Biotopo Monterrico-Hawaii Nature Reserve, making it an important eco-tourism destination for nesting sea turtles. While the scenic black sand beach can get extremely hot underfoot and swimming conditions are not ideal—making it more of a walking beach—the town offers various attractions including Tortugario Monte Rico, CECON Turtle Hatchery, Parque Acuatico H2Olas, and water sports.