The Pacific

How to get There

The pacific Highway (CA-2) runs the length of the Pacific Coast from the Mexican border at Tecún Umán to the Salvadoran border of Pedro de Alvarado. To reach the Pacific Highway from Guatemala City, take highway CA-9 south to Escuintla. A short road runs from the Pan-American Highway via Quetzaltenango to join the Pacific-Highway near Retahuleu.

Beaches

Beaches in Guatemala is Pacific Coast are made up of black sand, derived from the volcanoes which tower inland. Several beaches such a San José, Champerico, Iztapa, Las Lisas, Chulamar, and Ocós have been favorite destinations for Guatemalans during several generations. Today other beaches such as Monterrico, Hawai, Sipacate, and Tulare have become powerful magnets for international as well as national tourists. The beaches on the Pacific Coast offer a great variety of food and lodging services. Sunsets are a must see marvel for those visiting the beaches. Beaches on the Pacific Coast are special, since they are surrounded by water on several sides and some are even islands. On the southern side, the sea splashes the beach with its waves and its fresh waters, while on the northern side the Chiquimulilla Canal or some other estuary keeps mangrove forests and unique animals. Particularly well preserved mangrove forests are found in Las Lisas, Hawai, and Manchón Guamuchal.

Nature

The Pacific Coast has a good reputation among nature lovers. Near the ocean the main attraction is the sea turtles. Several sea turtle species nest on Guatemala's Pacific beaches, and they can be seen during the nights. Marine turtles are endangered species due to changes in usage of the beaches and due to the high value of turtle eggs in the market. Due to this risk, several man-made turtle hatcheries ("tortugarios") have been put to work along the Pacific Coast. In the "tortugarios" the turtle eggs are colleted, then planted into man-made nests and finally newly born turtles are freed into the ocean. Some "torutugarios" such as CECON's in Monterrico or ARCAS's in Hawai have become interesting tourism spots. A special place for those interested in watching marine turtles is El Nance lagoon in Sipacate, on this inland lagoon turtles can be seen swimming during the day. Another huge activity for nature lovers in this region is bird watching, especially along the Chiquimulilla canal in Manchón Huamuchal private reserve. Several farms located on the volcanic slopes have developed tourism programs which allow visitors to experience life and work at with hacienda as well as to enjoy the forested areas with their fresh water springs.

Archeology

Although attention has been traditionally focused on other areas , the Pacific Coast is an important area of Guatemala's  archaeology. Tourism wise the most important site is Abaj Takalik en Retalhuleu. The site consists Takalik in Retalhuleu. The site consists of several mounds and rebuilt structures which include a sauna bath and a stela with the first recorded date on a maya monument (stela 5, 126 A.D.). Several rock sculptures with Olmec influence known as "barrigones" (fat bellies) can be seen at La Democracia's central park and museum. A monument known as Dios Mundo is located on the property of El Baul sugarmill. This monument is used by modern day Mayas for several rituals. Several other archaeological pieces collected in the area are exhibited in the main house of finca El Baul. A small but nice museum at Las Ilusiones farm houses pieces and monuments collected from nearby sites, especially the one known as Bilbao. Pieces in this museum are representative of the style known as Cotzumalguapa.

Sports

Several sporting activities are carried out on the Pacific Coast. Aquatic sports include skiing, sports fishing, surfing, and white water rafting. Other beach associated activities include beach volleyball and beach soccer, sand motorcycle ultralight flying. and triathlon. The Pacific Coast is the favorite place for parachutists in Guatemala.

Monterrico

One of the most popular destinations on the Pacific coast, The Monterrico Natural Reserve offers beaches, boat tours, birdwatching and an educational center featuring live sea turtles and iguanas.  The reserve covers 28 square kilometers, 65%of which consist of lakes, canals mangroves and saltwater marshes, all teeming with birds, fish and other wildlife. Most visitors stay in the the beachfront town of Monterrico, one of five villages located within the reserve. A paved road leads to the town of La Avellana, and from there visitors take a boat which carries them about a kilometer along the mangrove-lined, Chiquimulilla Canal to Monterrico. Facilities at Monterrico include several excellent hotels, seafood restaurants and an educational center run by San Carlos University, which also administers the natural reserve. Local fishermen will happily rent their boats for explorations of the reserve's canals and lakes, where visitors may spot both green and black iguanas, caimans and many resident and migratory birds, including Boat-billed Herons and Lesser Yellow-headed vultures. In all, more than 110 bird species have been identified at Monterrico.  The reserve's ecosystems include mangroves, with two species of mangrove trees, and dry, tropical forest.  It receives about 1,500 mm of rain each year, mostly during the months of May to October.

Guatemala World-Class Lodges, Boats and Billfishing

Just ask any serious offshore fisherman what they consider to be the most prized of fish and the answer is bound to be a billfish (sailfish or marlin). And where will you encounter billfish like no other place on the planet? Right here off the Pacific Coast of Guatemala!!! These fish are big, beautiful, aggressive on the baits, put on a spectacular show once hooked and with numbers like nowhere else, Guatemala's sailfishing is catching the attention of anglers everywhere. South of Guatemala City, a little more than an hour, double highways cruise, through spectacularly green and volcano-framed countryside, one finds the area of Puerto Quetzal and Iztapa and the prospects of what is undoubtedly the world's finest sailfishing. All Central America's Pacific waters hold sailfish, but nowhere holds greater numbers than this stretch of Guatemala coastline. Anglers have come to know this, from the great many sportfishing magazine articles and television shows that now publicize it's bounty and travel from afar to take advantage of the ultimate in offshore adventure. This ocean is alive with activity. Turtles, dolphins of all species, whales and sea birds, and the distant panorama of towering volcanoes, make the run to the fish an unforgettable one. There are days when the sailfish are found only miles off the beach and others when the sailfish rich, clear blue water is further offshore. A combination of trolled teasers and 8
inch sized natural ballyhoo baits are used. Once found, the action is intense. Sailfish average around 80 pounds but can reach well in excess of 120 pounds. Big dorado are usually available in exceptional numbers and then there is always the prospect of an enormous marlin or tasty tuna to spice up what is already a day saturated in excitement. Sailfish are top of the pyramid predators, gathering in large groups to feed on the area's abundant supply of small baitfish, squid and anchovies. The sound, movement and vibration of the boat draw their attention.

Conservation Practice

Circle hooks are the name of the game in Guatemala, with their increased hookup ratio and "corner-of-the-mouth", non-damaging hookups; they are a blessing to both angler and billfish conservation alike. Guatemala waters actually were the grounds from where scientific studies showed the benefits of the circle hook to the rest of the billfishing world. The Guatemala government is making giant strides in fisheries protection with commercial "take' of sailfish being strictly forbidden and all billfish being released in a healthy state to be enjoyed yet again another day. Once hooked, whether it is on conventional 20 lb tackle, lighter gear, or a flyfishing outif, the fish puts on a show that has to be seen to be believed. They come alive with neon, blue, purple and silver color, greyhounding for the horizon in a series of jumps. Screaming reels, bent rods and excited anglers. This is a trip for the whole family, friends and colleagues alike. Once, two, three or even four at a time, the sails persistent nature makes for a nonstop spectacle of action. No matter with whom you choose to fish, whether it is one of the internationally experienced captains who now call this home, or an experienced local crew who have grown up on these waters, the trip will be an experience never to be aqualed. Over the past 7 years, top boats have averaged 12 sailfish releases per day. In 2001 alone, Capt. Brad Philipps released a World Record shattering 2496 billfish aboard the sportsfishing vessel, "Pelagian". The numbers speak for themselves, day in and day out. 76 sailfish catch these numbers of sailfish, day in and day out. 76 sailfish released in a single day aboard a single boat, 22 sails on flyfishing tackle in a day, the list goes on. But it's not just numbers that have given Guatemalan sailfishing the acclaim it so deserves. Ease of access, internationally respected captains and crews, top of the sportshing boast, flat calm seas, unrivalled weather, world class service and the onshore amenities make any stay an unforgettable one. Whether an old hat or adventurous novice, Guatemala has what it takes to quench the thirstiest of any billfishing appetite. It's an unequalled trip of a lifetime that just has to be experienced!!!