Retalhuleu

East from the Mexican border, the first town of any real interest to visitors is a rather pleasant place with a newfound importance as the gateway to some increasingly popular attractions. The most prominent of these are also Retalhuleu’s newest: the twin amusement parks of Xocomil [1], just a few minutes outside of town.

Adding to its prominence as the southern coastal region’s new recreational hub is the proximity of the ruins of Takalik Abaj [2] and some decent stretches of beach within a relatively short distance.

Commonly referred to as “Reu” by locals, the town has always been the playground of local coffee and sugarcane farmers, a fact that will be readily apparent by the prevalence of roadside hotels with sparkling swimming pools and pleasant outdoor restaurants. The weather here is warm year-round, but you can always find shelter from the scorching sun under the abundant palm trees.

Reu is becoming increasingly attractive as a hub for exploring this seldom-visited area of Guatemala. Even if amusement parks aren’t your thing, there is plenty to keep you busy here and very comfortable accommodations from which to base your explorations. At least one outfitter has begun to unravel the beauties of this pleasant sun-kissed stretch of the Pacific lowlands.

Getting to Retalhuleu

Most buses plying the Pacific Coast Highway (Carretera al Pacífico) stop in Retalhuleu’s main bus depot at 7a Avenida and 10a Calle. There are regular buses to Guatemala City [3], Quetzaltenango [4], the Mexican border, Champerico [5], and El Tulate [6].