Monte Rico Travel Guide

When we first got to Monte Rico we didn't know anything and as we hit the water right away we didn't have time to investigate, so we just ate at one of the hotels, and ouch that hurt the old wallet. It still is cheap for western people, but been on the road for a while we were used to different prices.
So next day we started to search and found this little place in the village (well village, there are a few hotels and a small market and a disco restaurant. And there also behind a big hotel there is this small place with tables and chairs where you can get delicious local food and it is cheap. So we ended up having breakfast, lunch and dinner there, and I never had a bad meal.

they say that during the weekend the nightlife is good, very good, cause all the students from antigua that study spanish there are going to monte rico to relax and party, and yes it is full in the weekends. And guys, you will like this, most of the students are girls hehe.
But unfortuanatly we didn't party, cause the weekend we were there, a big thunderstorm was on, and before getting to a bar you will be completely soaked.

Dress Code: dress code???? what where you wearing on the beach during the day??? oh that, well keep it on.

There is only one way to get to Monte Rico, and that is to take a lancha (a very small boat). Just get from Guate City to one of the chicken busses, and transfer to a lancha.

Tip: when getting of the bus (especially if it isn't the end stop of the bus) Get your stuff quick, cause the drivers ain't the patient kind of people.

You are in a mangrove, in a swamp, so there will be mozzies, and lot's of them. During the day they are harmless, unless you really go in the swamp, but at dust they come out and they do sting, a lot. So use long pants and reppellent, we tried long sleev shirts aswell, but we decided we didn't wanna die of a heat stroke, so we skipped that. And even though the locals say that malaria and dengue isn't present (dengue I believe cause it ain't an urban zone) but do you want to risk it?? I don't think so.

Luggage and bags: A backpack is the best, cause there ain't a real taxi service, and the busses are real chicken busses

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: some good shoes, sandals light clothing and some cloting to cover up against the mozzies.
And don't take any fancy stuff with you, cause you won't be wearing it, it will only get dirty, VERY dirty.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: There isn't much there so take all you can and need (diarhea pills for sure)

Photo Equipment: If you wan't to photograph birds, then take a long lens, otherwise stick to the short-medium lenses, cause that is what you will be using most.
And the film should be medium to fast, cause on the boat tours i the morning you can't use a tripod.

Miscellaneous: Money, enough money

As it is on the ocean, there are waves. Very powerfull shorebreak waves. And therefor not really suited for surfing (unless on the right swell on low tide, you can get some good ones, if it ain't over 5 feet), so body boarding is the go. And then it will be pull in closeout shorebreak tubes which won't let any light through cause of the black sand, so it is a funny experience being in a pitch black tube.

ps. leatherbacks come here on the beach to lay eggs, so watch out where you walk and watch the sharks.

Equipment: just your favorite shorebreak board.