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Home / Beaches / Playa de los Cristales

Playa de los Cristales

Пляж де-лос-Кристалес
Guatemala · Beach · San Pedro La Laguna
high
Best month: December

Best for

Ideal for couples and lovers of unique natural places. Suitable for swimming, kayaking and photo shoots. Not suitable for those who prefer sandy beaches.

Best month

December

Water
+20.0°C
Length
100 m
A unique beach whose "sand" is made of smoothed, colourful sea glass. It features a calm atmosphere and crystal-clear water, popular for swimming and snorkelling. Located between San Pedro and San Juan.
Surface
glass
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A unique beach whose "sand" is made of smoothed, colourful sea glass. It features a calm atmosphere and crystal-clear water, popular for swimming and snorkelling. Located between San Pedro and San Juan.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • —

Cons

  • Pebbles instead of sand, water shoes needed
  • Water can be cool
  • Limited infrastructure
  • Limited shade
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for couples and lovers of unique natural places. Suitable for swimming, kayaking and photo shoots. Not suitable for those who prefer sandy beaches.
Features
What makes this beach unique
A unique beach where the "sand" is made of smoothed, colourful pieces of sea glass. Recently upgraded with a new pier.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
glass
Sand Color
Main sand colour
multicoloured
Sand Texture
Grain size
coarse
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
pebble
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
100 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
10.0 m
Average Water Temp
+20.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+23.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.1 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November December
Season end
March April
Best month
December
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
none
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
10.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. Police patrol the area.
Dangerous creatures
jellyfish
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
1 pcs
Best restaurants

Nicks Place Las Cristalinas

International

Restaurant with a terrace and lake views, a popular spot for lunch and drinks

Nearby cuisines

International

International cuisine with lake views

Must try: Burgers, sandwiches, fresh juices
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Cash Snorkel mask
Best Time to Swim
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets over the lake.
Local Rules
Leaving rubbish is prohibited. Respect the local community.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

San Pedro La Laguna

Scenic town with restaurants, bars and Spanish schools

San Juan La Laguna

Neighbouring village with art galleries and textile cooperatives

San Pedro Volcano

Active volcano with hiking trails and panoramic lake views

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa de los Cristales: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +20.0°C, warms up to +23.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa de los Cristales: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.1 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa de los Cristales: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — pebble. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa de los Cristales: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — glass. Sand colour — multicoloured. Texture — coarse. Beach length — 100 metres.
Playa de los Cristales: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November, December. It ends in March, April. The best month for a holiday is December. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa de los Cristales: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa de los Cristales: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: jellyfish. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa de los Cristales: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: toilets, parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa de los Cristales: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Playa de los Cristales: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Nicks Place Las Cristalinas. Cuisines available: International. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa de los Cristales: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Cash, Snorkel mask.
Playa de los Cristales: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets over the lake.
Playa de los Cristales: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Leaving rubbish is prohibited. Respect the local community.
Playa de los Cristales: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa de los Cristales: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for couples and lovers of unique natural places. Suitable for swimming, kayaking and photo shoots. Not suitable for those who prefer sandy beaches.
Playa de los Cristales: what makes this beach unique?
A unique beach where the "sand" is made of smoothed, colourful pieces of sea glass. Recently upgraded with a new pier.
Playa de los Cristales: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Cons: Pebbles instead of sand, water shoes needed, Water can be cool, Limited infrastructure, Limited shade.
Playa de los Cristales: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: San Pedro La Laguna, San Juan La Laguna, San Pedro Volcano. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa de los Cristales: how do I get to the city of San Pedro La Laguna?
The beach is located near the city of San Pedro La Laguna. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for San Pedro La Laguna.

City

San Pedro La Laguna

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

December

Useful information

Country: Guatemala
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 14.700000, -91.283300

Other beaches in San Pedro La Laguna