El Hawaii: Beach History and Activities

Parque Hawaii is a geographic reference point: the protected area is 2 km west of the village of Hawaii. This helps you place the area in context, both by its beach-related attractions and by a specific location.

Playa Hawaii: Name History and Activities

The name Playa Hawaii is said to have originated more than 60 years ago. According to local lore, when the village’s founder first arrived on the Pacific coast of this department, he saw a postcard of Hawaii. The landscapes pictured reminded him of the Guatemalan beach; the name is said to have come from this perceived resemblance. The story centers on a personal comparison between landscapes: the founder’s impression connected the postcard image with the beach.

Birdwatching, turtle releases, and fishing are listed as activities at Playa Hawaii. These three activities have different focuses: birdwatching draws attention to birds, turtle releases to turtles, and fishing provides another connection to the beach. When choosing a hotel, you can use these interests as a guide and consider which one you would most like to shape your stay.

Parque Hawaii is a 3-hectare protected area on the beach, located 2 km west of the village of Hawaii. This gives you two distinct points of reference: the activities at Playa Hawaii and the protected area west of the village. You can consider the beach attractions and the geographic location separately when choosing your destination.

Cultural Context in Santa Rosa

In Cuilapa, Santa Rosa, stands the Puente de Los Esclavos, a cut-stone bridge measuring 75 meters long and 2 meters wide, with 11 arches. Oral tradition connects it with the community’s resilience and five centuries of history. The people were forced to build it as slave labor; according to legend, the story arose during the Spanish colonization of the Americas and the enslavement of the Xinka people.

The story tells of an old man who made a pact with the devil so the bridge could be built in a single night. The combination of historical lore and the bridge’s specific design offers two ways of understanding Puente de Los Esclavos: its dimensions and arches describe the structure, while the legend explains its cultural significance in the region.

Every year, the community brings the story to life again through the Zarabanda. It features music, dancing, and colorful clothing; the tradition connects faith, identity, and cultural heritage. The old man’s descendants maintain their own religious and cultural expressions, especially during Día de la Luz de la Candelaria. For the community, the bridge symbolizes the spiritual passage to the “New Faith.”

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

Go to the main travel overview: Santa Rosa.