For a Central American beach town, the nightlife scene in Monterrico [1] is pretty tame (weekends aside). This is certainly not your average “spring break” destination. Most places close at 10 p.m., with only a few exceptions.
The liveliest place in town is Johnny’s Place (right on the beach, tel. 4369-6900, www.johnnysplacehotel.com [2]), where the party goes until 1 A.M on weekends.
Another hotspot is El Animal Desconocido (8 p.m.–1 a.m. Thurs.–Sat.), where you can chill out to an eclectic mix of dance and rock music in a colorful atmosphere.
Another good option for a drink is Taberna El Pelícano, behind Johnny’s Place, but it also closes early.
The poolside bar at El Marlin is another popular watering hole. It sometimes closes late.
A great place to watch the sunset and enjoy a drink is Mañanitas Beach Lounge (tel. 5771-7768, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. daily), situated above the beach with a second-story patio.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/guatemala/the-pacific-coast/monterrico
[2] http://www.johnnysplacehotel.com