You can start out by taking a bus from Guatemala City to Retahuleu (which might go all the way to Puetro Champerico but if it doesn't just say "Champe!" to a bus worker and he'll gladly show you the bus you need to get on). It should take about 5 hrs but it'll be well worth the trip.
When you get off of the bus in Champe just go strait on the main street and you won't miss it, in fact just listen and you'll find it. You'll see abunch of little "ranchitos" (small beach restaurants with palm-roof decks facing the beach) all along the beach front. If you brought a car you can park it by the little ranchito where you will be eating (a decent meal will only cost you about 40 Quetzales{less than 5 US Dollars}). Be sure to get there early(6or7am)to catch the best waves. At about 3pm waves start to get a little rough and choppy, and sometimes depending on the weather, there might be some undertoe.
Overview
Atmosphere
Holy shnikys might be closest to it. When my buddy and I got there, we had a guy trying to convince us to eat at one Ranchito and another guy trying to get us to eat at the one next to it. We finally chose one and they showed us where to could change and leave our stuff. They also showed us nice cheep places to stay. This place is actually a fairly big town full of nice people. There are a couple of fishing equipement stors that recently stared carrying surf gear. You will find whatever you need there. You can pull up a chair at on of the ranchitos at about 6pm and wait for an incredible sunset. Suposidly, surfing is starting to be a big interest for lots of kids there ever since the little surf shops opened. When kids see you with a board they come up to you and ask to check out your board. most of them are learning on their own. If you go, visit one of the shops and if possible buy a Champe surf shirt or something to give them some support. They will always be welcoming and treat you as an old friend. I LOVED the milk shakes too.
General
A capital place to spend a vacation and a really fun place to surf. Just don't loose your shorts, I almost did.
Definately friendly
This place, definatly, contains the most friendly people I have met, so far, in all of Guatemala. There exists the "mi ola es su ola" vibe amougst this entire beach break. I was out a board and one of the locals let me borrow one of his brand new Santa Cruz Surftechs in he needed work for "TWO YEARS" just to save enough money to have it special ordered from the States. Unreal! I love this beach! I believe there exists some shit talk about this place in an older Lonely Planet, but it is simply not true. Esta playa esta muy tranquilo.
comment by cam, 2006-02-20 20:13:07
friendliest locals ever
ive been in champerico for a week now and since i arrived ive been treated like a king. First surf we met the national surf champ ´Macaco´ and he took us into his place saying "you are part of the surf family mi casa su casa" and we´ve been staying there since with his mates. unbelievably hospitable the town has heaps of young leaners and all of them are stoked everytime you get a wave and more often than not they let you have the better waves. these guys are living in the true spirit of sufring.
comment by anonymous, 2004-06-01 23:07:46
surf shop?
Are there any surfshops where I can rent a board??? The rate? Their homepage?
comment by eaz4@humboldt.edu, 2006-07-14 19:54:43