The Pacific Coastline stretches 250km/155 mi from the Mexican border in the west to the border with El Salvador to the east and includes parts of six administrative departments.
The region is characterized by black volcanic sand beaches on the coast where water-sports are enjoyed and the mangrove swamps and lush, subtropical forests further inland where several archaeological sites can be explored.
Chiquimula is a departmental capital, set in a mining and tobacco growing region renowned for its heat. Chiquimula is a major market town for eastern Guatemala and an overnight stop for those continuing on to Honduras. Founded during the colonial era, the ruins of its church can be seen.
Basilica de Esquipulas, the largest baroque temple in Guatemala, dominates the town of Esquipulas. This 18th C structure is the center of a continental pilgrimage where the Black Christ is venerated.
La Democracia is a town where impressive Mayan sculptures can be seen arranged in the main plaza including huge stones called Olmec heads weighing up to 5 tons.
A small museum named Rubén Chávez Van Dorne has many artifacts collected locally.
Puerto Quetzal is a cruise-port which serves as a gateway to the Guatemala's inland attractions. Located on the Pacific, this new port is the first multi-purpose port in Guatemala. The Pacific coastline around Puerto Quetzal mostly black-sand beaches.
Tecuamburro, part of a chain of volcanoes, is made up of three interconnected hills: el Cerro Miraflores, at 1,943 m/6,373 ft; Cerro Peña Blanca, with an elevation of 1,800 m/5,904 ft; and the highest point, Cerro La Soledad, at 1,845 m/6,052 ft.
The sides of Cerro Peña Blanca are covered with small sulfur fumaroles.
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