Champerico

Champerico on the map of Guatemala

Champerico is a small town on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. It is the administrative seat of the greater community ( municipality ) in the department of Retalhuleu. In the 416 km ² large municipality of about 35,000 people.

Location and climate

The small town is located about 225 km south-west of Guatemala City and 38 km south-west of Retalhuleu on the Pacific coast, about 40 km south-east of the Mexican border. Champerico is connected by a state highway with Retalhuleu and with the slightly north of it ( at El Zarco ) leading Pacific Highway CA 2. The climate is tropical, hot, rainy season lasts from May to October.

Economy and Tourism

Champerico has long been an important port for the export of coffee. The place also had a railway connection. The once third most important port in Guatemala today is driven into irrelevance and only serves the fishing industry. However, there are plans for some time to build a terminal for cruise ships here.

Champerico and his long, dark sandy beaches are a destination for people from the area. International tourism plays only a minor role. Of importance are the public celebrations of Holy Week ( Semana Santa ) and at Christmas.

History

In the area of Champerico since the beginning of the 18th century the wood processing company champer & Co. worked, so one assumes that the name of the present town dates from this company. 1871, the Guatemalan government declared a place to "National Harbor " (Puerto Nacional), which was until 1982 as a trading port in operation. 1982 established a storm caused serious damage. Of the former port facilities no longer exists.