(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“This is my first time in a long time to the Mayan Empire's pacific cost. The sand is strikingly black and unbearably hot to walk on without flip. The location south of Monterrico where I currently am is called Hawaii. The riptide undertow is nothing like I've experienced anywhere before. This is due to a steep beach break shelf that has little to no resistance slowing crashing waves right on the sand. Not a place for the novice.”
George Pleitez from UNITED STATES - 18 Apr 2014
Monterrico Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 2 votes and 2 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 2.5(1: Monterrico is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 2.0(1: Monterrico is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Guatemala - Pacific Coast. 5: the best break in Guatemala - Pacific Coast). |
Difficulty Level: 2.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 4.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Monterrico can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 4.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Monterrico, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 1.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Monterrico are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 4.5(1: Often too crowded. 5: Monterrico is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 5.0(1: Getting to Monterrico requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 5.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 5.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 5.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Monterrico for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.0(1: Camping at Monterrico is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 5.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Monterrico is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 5.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Monterrico, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 5.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Monterrico where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“I live in Monterrico 8 months out of the year. Surfing here is almost unheard of. Rarely do you see a right to left or left to right break. It usually breaks straight on. So much so that when there are the 12 footers they trap air and shoot water straight up out of the top of the breaking wave. When people want to surf the go to Puerto San Jose where the beach angle is better for wave break.”
Roger Berner from GUATEMALA - 10 Jan 2013
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