The following list highlights some of the best beaches in Guatemala. So if you are in Guatemala, I recommend visiting the following:
The Best Beaches in Central Region
Iztapa Beach, Iztapa
Address – Villa los Cocales, Iztapa, Guatemala
Google Maps Link – 13°55’42.6″N 90°42’12.2″W
Empalizada Beach, Sipacate
Address – Empalizada Beach, Sipacate, San Jose Rama Blanca, Guatemala
Google Maps Link – 13°55’35.6″N 91°11’03.2″W
Empalizada Beach is located in the town of Sipacate, in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. This beach is almost unknown to tourists since it is not easy to get to. The experience begin on the way to Empalizada Beach since you have to take a boat ride through a canal where you can spot herons and pelicans. The waves can be a bit strong, but it still a safe beach. There are a bunch of restaurants and food stores nearby with great staff, offering tasty seafood.
Port of San Jose Beach, San Jose
Address – Playa Publica, Port of San Jose Beach, Port of San Jose, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 13°54’57.1″N 90°50’51.4″W
Port of San Jose Beach is located in Puerto San José, a city in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. Extensive and relaxing, this black sandy beach is a favorite spot for families to spend a nice weekend, with activities for everyone to enjoy. The water is shallow for a few meters, with safe waves for everyone to play. There is a playground at the beach, tennis and volleyball courts, resorts, stores and great facilities. It is mostly frequented by local families, and it never gets busy or crowded.
La Caleta Beach, Quetzal
Address – Playa La Caleta, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 13°55’11.9″N 90°47’29.8″W
La Caleta Beach is located in Puerto Quetzal, on the coast of the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. With dark volcanic sand and black boulders along the coast, this beautiful beach offers dramatic views and a calm atmosphere. The water is calm, with no waves making it safe for everyone to swim, and perfectly warm for a relaxing bath. There are no restaurants nearby, but you can bring your own food and have a barbecue in the designated areas. The beach is rather remote, but it can be busy on the weekends, especially during the morning.
Santa Maria De Chulamar Beach, Port of San Jose
Address – Santa Maria De Chulamar, Port of San Jose, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 13°54’50.8″N 90°52’48.1″W
Santa Maria de Chulamar Beach is located in Puerto San José, a city in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. With soft dark sand and green areas, this picturesque beach is a great spot for nature lovers, offering stunning views of both the sunset and the sunrise. The water is shallow but the waves are strong; be careful when swimming. You can find a few seafood restaurants in the area, and there are resorts along the beach. This is a very popular beach, so keep in mind that it tends to be busy during the day, especially on weekends.
El semillero Beach, El Semillero Barra Nahualate
Address – El semillero Beach, El Semillero Barra Nahualate, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 14°02’23.7″N 91°31’31.5″W
El Semillero Beach is located in Semillero Barra Nahualate, in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. Serene and quiet, this sandy beach is a stunning spot surrounded by nature, and the perfect place to relax and disconnect. The waves are strong and not suitable for swimming, but the beach is extensive and great to play different sports. There are a few restaurants at the beach, and many stores in the area. Keep in mind that the beach is usually busy during weekend afternoons.
Palm Town Beach, Barra Madre Vieja
Address – Palm Town Beach, Barra Madre Vieja, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 13°59’47.1″N 91°25’04.4″W
Palm Town Beach is located in Barra Madre Vieja, a town in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. This remote beach is a great option to get away from a busy life, with a long stretch of dark sand for walking and jogging, and a quiet atmosphere to relax. The water is not suitable for swimming, since the waves and undercurrents are rather strong; however, the sound of the waves is perfect to sunbathe and meditate. There are no facilities or restaurants at the beach; make sure you bring everything you might need.
The Best Beaches in Metropolitan Region
Aldea El Chapetón Beach, Buena Vista
Address – Aldea El Chapetón, Buena Vista, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 13°49’52.1″N 90°20’06.5″W
Aldea El Chapetón Beach is located in Buena Vista, in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. This wide sandy beach is a lovely spot to visit with family or friends, or to relax on your own, admiring the stunning sunset. The water is calm and shallow, safe for swimming and perfect for a relaxing bath, and to the right end of the beach, you can swim in the waters of the Los Esclavos River. There are a few restaurants and resorts nearby, with friendly staff and great facilities. It never gets overly crowded, but can be busy during the weekends.
The Best Beaches in Northeast Region
Blanca Beach, Livingston
Address – Playa Blanca, Livingston, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 15°50’43.5″N 88°46’26.0″W
Blanca Beach is located in Livingston, a town on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. With white sand and quiet atmosphere, this stunning beach is a favorite spot among families to spend a great day away from the city. The water is warm and safe for everyone to swim, and the soft sand is great for sunbathing and for kids to build sand castles. There is a restaurant at the beach, and a few resorts nearby and great facilities. It rarely gets crowded, but tends to be busy during the weekends.
Capitania Beach, Livingston
Address – Capitania Beach, Livingston, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 15°49’38.6″N 88°44’51.5″W
Capitania Beach is located in Livingston, a town on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. This picturesque beach offers a wide stretch of sand and verdant trees, with many interesting spots to visit and stunning sunrise. The water is shallow and calm, making it safe for everyone to swim and perfect to relax. You can find many restaurants, accommodation, and different stores in the area; besides, the green areas are perfect for picnics. The beach is mostly frequented by locals, so it never gets crowded, but can be busy during weekends.
Amatique Bay Beach, Puerto Barrios
Address – Playa Amatique Bay, Puerto Barrios, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 15°44’56.3″N 88°34’50.0″W
Amatique Bay Beach is located in Puerto Barrios, a city on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. This active beach offers soft white sand lined by palm trees, with stunning sunrise views. The water is calm and safe for swimming; however, it gets deep rather quickly. You can get a horseback ride along the coast, or rent a kayak to explore farther from the shore. There is a resort at the beach, with a restaurant and all necessary facilities, pools and activities for everyone to enjoy. It is a very popular beach, and tends to be busy in the morning, especially during the weekend.
Santo Tomás Beach, Puerto Barrios
Address – Santo Tomás Beach, Puerto Barrios, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 15°41’39.4″N 88°37’28.3″W
Santo Tomás Beach is located in Puerto Barrios, a city on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. This picturesque stretch of sand is lined with palm trees, offering stunning views and many spots for unique photography. The waves are small and the water is shallow, making Santo Tomás Beach a safe spot for everyone to swim and enjoy. Besides, the warm weather and quiet atmosphere are perfect to sunbathe and relax. There are a few restaurants nearby, serving tasty seafood and lovely views over the beach.
Punta de Palma Beach, Macho Creek
Address – Punta de Palma, Macho Creek, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 15°45’30.1″N 88°38’40.0″W
Punta de Palma is located in Macho Creek, on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. This lovely beach offers a wide stretch of soft wide sand, the name Punta de Palma coming from the many palm trees lining the coast and giving off stunning views. The atmosphere is quiet and serene, and the clear water is calm and safe for swimming. There is a resort and a restaurant at the beach, offering fresh seafood and cool drinks; besides, you can set up a tent and camp in the area. It is mostly frequented by local families, and it can be busy during holidays.
Punta de Cocoli Beach, Guatemala
Address – Punta de Cocoli Beach, Cocolí, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 15°52’17.7″N 88°49’29.8″W
Punta de Cocolí Beach is located in Cocolí, on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. Remote and isolated, this white sandy beach is a paradisiacal spot, with a serene atmosphere and palm trees offering natural shade. The water is calm and shallow, clear and with a light blue color, safe for everyone to swim and perfect for a relaxing bath. It never gets crowded or busy, making it a great spot to sunbathe, relax and disconnect from a busy life.
The Best Beaches in Southeast Region
Monterrico Beach, Monterrico
Address – Monterrico Beach, Guatemala
Google Maps Link – 13°53’20.0″N 90°28’54.0″W
Monterrico Beach is located in Monterrico, in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. This beautiful beach with stunning black sand is popular among locals and tourist alike. Its strong waves are great for surfing but not very safe for swimming. Around the area, there are countless hotels, some restaurants and beach bars, all with great services and staff. If you head to the Tortugario CECON and make a donation for the protection of turtles, you get the chance to release baby turtles into the sea. Avoid arriving in any kind of motorized vehicle since the beach is a protected habitat for turtles.
El Ahumado Beach, El Ahumado
Address – El Ahumado Beach, El Ahumado, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 13°49’14.3″N 90°18’31.8″W
El Ahumado Beach is located in El Ahumado, in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. This extensive beach offers golden sands and a quiet atmosphere, with a warm weather for sunbathing and green areas for picnics. The waves are strong, great to play in the water and for strong swimmers. There are a few resorts in the area, and you can find a restaurant right at the entrance of the beach. It is not a popular beach, and you can always spend a relaxing day admiring the calm scenery.
The Best Beaches in Southwest Region
Tilapa Beach, Tilapa
Address – Tilapa Beach, Tilapita, Tilapa, Guatemala
Google Maps Link – 14°29’19.6″N 92°10’05.9″W
Tilapa Beach is located in Tilapita, in the Pacific Lowland s of Guatemala. This quiet beach has stunning volcanic sand, typical of beache in Guatemala. Being such a small beach on a small village, Tilapa Beach is isolated and secluted, perfect to relax and disconnect from the city life. Restaurants nearby offer delicious food, which you can enjoy as you admire a beautiful sunset.
Tulate Beach, El Tulate
Address – Tulate Beach, Tulate, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 14°09’08.5″N 91°42’50.5″W
Tulate Beach is located in El Tulate, in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. This extensive stretch of dark sand is a good option to hang out with family or friends, with a laid-back atmosphere and stunning sunset views. The water is calm with a gentle slope, making it a soft spot for everyone to swim; besides, the long stretch is great for walking and jogging, with comfortable sand for sunbathing. You can find a few resorts and stores around the town. Keep in mind that this is a popular beach, and tends to be busy during weekend afternoons.
Ocós Beach, Guatemala
Address – Playas De Ocós San Marcos, Ocos, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 14°30’27.5″N 92°11’50.1″W
Ocós Beach is located in the Ocós municipality, in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. This picturesque beach offers a wide stretch of white sand, stunning sunset views and spots for unique photography. The water is calm and safe for everyone, with a warm temperature making it comfortable for swimming. There are plenty of restaurants, accommodation and stores in the area, just a short walk away from the sand. Ocón Beach is a favorite among local families, but it tends to be busy during weekends, especially in the morning.
Churirín Beach, San José Churirin
Address – Churirín Beach, San José Churirin, Guatemala
Google Link Maps – 14°07’12.5″N 91°39’46.5″W
Churirín Beach is located in Chiquistepeque, in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala. This serene, remote beach is the perfect getaway to relax and disconnect, far from the busy city, with soft sand and green areas. The water is shallow, with small waves making it safe for everyone to swim; for this reason, Churirín Beach is a favorite spot among families. There is a hotel nearby, and a few stores in the area; you can bring your own food and enjoy a picnic at the beach. It is usually empty and quiet, and rarely gets busy.