If you have been working extra hard...and if last night you only slept 3 hours, due to work-related stress.  Perhaps what you need is to unplug yourself from the office!

Long term exposure to stress can make you sick, but then I bet you already knew that.  When was the last time you took a vacation?  You need to rest! You deserve it!  Now, the only problem is 'where to go?'. No worries. I can help you with that.

Let me tell you about this fantastic place I went to...when I needed to get away from the 'office hum-drum'.

Monterrico!

It's a nature reserve located in Santa Rosa quite close to Antigua.  It is one of the greatest sea-shore developments in Guatemala.  If you are looking for a place to relax and become 'laid-back', this is a the place to go.  Rest in hammocks while the breeze embraces. you.

You won't even miss the office!   Trust me.  Don't know where to stay?  There are not many hotels in Monterrico but I highly recommendHotel Atelier del Mar.  If  all you want to do is swim in the hotel pool, sleep, or sun-tan, this place is perfect!  But, there is something else you can do if you like...

Help the marine turtles!

Yes, you can help save turtles. This is one of the most exciting things you can do at Monterrico. You can go to the turtle sanctuary and watch the turles lay their eggs on the beach.  You will find three different turtle species:

- Dermochelys coriacea (Baule)
- Lepidochelys olivaceae (Parlama blanca)
- Chelonia (Parlama negra)

There is also a race where you pay to host one of the turtles as it takes it's steps toward the sea.  If you are the winner and you have chosen the correct amount of steps, you will win a free dinner! So besides relaxing,  you can help save sea turtles.  There are not too many places that offer this!

And  there is also a Monterrico canal tour.  The canals here are one of the main attractions.  Now this is relaxing!  Cruising through the mangroves and swamps, admiring the the exotic flora and watching  the many different species of birds.  TheWood Stork, Great Egret, White Ibis, just to name a few.

If you are interested in the real estate business please read on... sea-shore development is alive and well here at Monterrico.  You might be able to use your purchasing power,  buy some property and build or buy a summer home.   How great would it be to have a quiet, relaxing place to 'get away to?'

Stressed?  Forget about it!  Perhaps you'll like Monterrico so much you'll start owning real estate there.  Perhaps you'll buy a couple of summer homes.  Who knows!

In case you get bored  (which I certainly doubt) you can travel to Santa Lucia.  Here Mayan art, culture, sugar cane fields, stone heads and more... are here to explore. Actually the sculptures I saw there reminded me of an Olmeca Head at Mexico.  Remember to take the time to watch the folkloric dances  as well.  My personal farvorite was "la del Inglés", which means 'the English one'!

Relax and have fun!