Monterrico is the most popular beach in Guatemala and also the closest to Guatemala City and Antigua. There are nice waves for surfing, but beware of the undertow. There are lifeguards on duty during the weekend. Don't forget to bring some sandals. The sand is of the black volcanic variety and is too hot to walk on after 10am. The beach is wide and stretches for miles. It is busiest, but not crowded by any measure, on Sunday with mostly Guatemalans. Most local girls prefer to swim in sweat shorts and t-shirts, although you will find a few who brave a bikini.

Getting there
You can come by the buses going from Guatemala City to Iztapa (from the bus terminal in Zona 4, 5am-6pm, more or less every hour), by boat across the canal of Chiquimulilla to Puerto Viejo, and from there by bus to Monterrico (four buses a day). Or you can go by bus to Taxisco, another bus to La Avellana, and finally a boat to Monterrico. There are also 3 direct buses from Guatemala City to La Avellana. From Antigua you can take a direct mini-bus shuttle which leaves at 8am and returns at 3pm daily.