El Hawaii: Beach Activities and Culture

At Playa Hawaii, nature and beach themes meet an unusual story behind the name. Birdwatching, turtle releases, and fishing are listed as activities. Parque Hawaii, a protected area on the beach, is another feature. The broader destination of Santa Rosa also offers a cultural perspective rooted in Cuilapa. If you are looking for a vacation rental, you can first consider whether the beach, nature observation, or culture should shape your vacation days.

Nature and Beach at Hawaii

At Playa Hawaii, birdwatching, turtle releases, and fishing are listed as separate activities. If your interests lie especially in birds or turtles, the respective activities are a concrete starting point; fishing is another named option. A beach report also mentions the “Tortugario Hawii” and describes it as one of the most important turtle centers in the Americas. This lets you distinguish between the beach activities according to your own interests, rather than viewing them as interchangeable options.

Parque Hawaii is a 3-hectare protected area on the beach, located 2 km west of the village of Hawaii. This location provides a specific geographic reference for planning around the village.

The Story Behind the Name Playa Hawaii

The name Playa Hawaii is said to have originated more than 60 years ago. According to the story, when the village’s founder first arrived on the Pacific coast of this department, he saw a postcard of Hawaii. He noticed similarities between the landscapes pictured and the Guatemalan beach; this resemblance is said to have inspired the name. The story links the local name to a specific moment of arrival and comparison.

Cultural Heritage in Santa Rosa

One of the main cultural highlights of the broader destination of Santa Rosa is in Cuilapa. A 2026 account published by Guatemala’s Ministry of Culture and Sports describes the oral tradition surrounding the Puente de Los Esclavos in Cuilapa, Santa Rosa. The legend represents the community’s resilience; the bridge preserves five centuries of history. It is made of dressed stone, is 75 meters long and two meters wide, and has eleven arches. Its construction was imposed on the people as forced labor.

According to the oral tradition, the legend arose during the Spanish colonization of the Americas and the enslavement of the Xinka people. It tells of an old man who made a pact with the devil so that the bridge would be built in a single night. For the community, Puente de Los Esclavos symbolizes the spiritual transition to the “New Faith.”

In Cuilapa, Santa Rosa, the community brings the story to life each year through the Zarabanda, with music, dancing, and colorful clothing. The tradition connects faith, identity, and cultural heritage. In Cuilapa, Santa Rosa, the descendants of the old man in the legend maintain their own religious and cultural expressions, particularly during the Día de la Luz de la Candelaria. In this way, the bridge, the oral tradition, and the annual celebration represent different facets of cultural life in Santa Rosa.

A Vacation Rental That Fits Your Plans

When looking for a vacation rental in El Hawaii, you can define your priorities more specifically: Are you mainly interested in activities at Playa Hawaii, or in the beach and protected-area setting of Parque Hawaii? Choose the location of your accommodation based on the places you plan to visit during your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Las Lisas, Chiquimulilla, Tecuamburro, Monterrico, Cuilapa, Taxisco.

Return to the main travel overview: Santa Rosa.