The 10 best beaches in Guatemala

15.08.2024 - 23:45 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 15, 2024 • 10 min read

Guatemala is famous for ruined pyramids bursting from the rainforest, evocative Spanish-built cities, colorful buses, traditional Mayan culture, satisfyingly strong coffee and dramatic volcanoes rising over silent lakes. But the beaches of Guatemala often slip under the radar.

But while Guatemala's sands may be less famous than the bewitching beaches of Mexico, El Salvador or Nicaragua, or the sand-circled islands of Belize or Honduras, there are plenty of sublime stretches of shoreline to discover. With year-round warm weather on the coast, and a long, dry season running from November to April, it's easy to find a perfect spot for soaking up the sun. 

A few tips first. When you visit Guatemala's beaches, remember to bring flip-flops or sandals. Walking across the black sands of the Pacific coast is not something you want to do barefoot – it's like walking on lava! Also bring insect repellent, as sandflies are common and chigger mites can also leave itchy bites.

While it's perfectly fine to wear a bikini to the beach, going topless is taboo. Keep an eye on your belongings – leave any valuables at your hotel, and you won't have to worry while you splash and doze. Don't let any of that put you off heading to the beach in Guatemala! Here are the best strips of sand to enjoy.

Best beach for Caribbean vibes

The best beach on Guatemala's Caribbean coast, lovely Playa Blanca is about an hour's boat ride northwest of Lívingston. In fact, the only way to get here is by boat; the easiest way to arrange a transfer is to book a tour through a travel agency in Lívingston or Puerto Barrios.

What's so special about Playa Blanca? The name means "white beach," and that's exactly what you get – a postcard-worthy stretch of pale blond sand and lots of coconut palms. Guatemala's Caribbean beaches face steady erosion, so Playa Blanca isn't very wide. You can grab a beer at the beachside restaurant and sit in the shade of a palm tree while the water practically laps at your feet.   

The beach is privately owned, so check that your tour includes the price of admission. Many tours also include a stopover at Siete Altares, a series of small waterfalls and natural rock pools set in the jungle just along the coast.  

Planning Tip: The quality of the water at Playa Blanca depends on the weather. When it's been raining, the water tends to be murkier, so it's best to come during the drier winter months.

Best beach for ecotourism

Jutting into the Caribbean, some 20km (12.5 miles) north of Puerto Barrios, the rainforests of the Punta de Manabique peninsula hide spider monkeys, howler monkeys, jaguars, tapirs and peccaries, as well as green iguanas, manatees and crocodiles in the mangroves, and more than 300