Pacific Slope Overview

Guatemala’s Pacific Slope is a sweltering plain that contrasts sharply with the mountain vistas of the highland region. Here, on fertile land divided into vast fincas (plantations), bountiful crops like sugarcane, bananas, and rubber make a vital contribution to the nation’s economy. The Pacific Slope does not, however, usually make the tourist’s hit list. The dusty inland trade towns tend to be busy but unappealing for visitors, and the black-sand coast is too often marred by trash and debris. There are exceptions: along the busy coastal highway between the Mexican border and Guatemala City, Retalhuleu is a pleasant town with the ruins of Abaj Takalik and a few beaches nearby. Farther east, as the coast makes its way toward the border, laid-back Monterrico captivates visitors with hammock-lined stretches of fine beach and a verdant nature reserve.

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