If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. You can book onto one of their tours or opt for kayak rental and explore for yourself. El Paredon Beach is not the typical beach to lay on all day while tanning. El Paredon Sur Camp is the first original place at El Paredon Beach, it is a great place for anyone from experienced surfers, beginners or travelers with a taste for a rustic, relaxing, hostel-style place to stay on the beach. The accommodations are varied, something for almost every . Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. If you would like to do watersports in El Paredon but dont want to surf, why not try stand-up paddleboarding? Fro. Their mission is to create locally-driven projects that ensure the educational and environmental development of El Paredn and neighbouring communities. Youre likely to either come from Antigua or at the least, youll have a stopover at Antigua to get here. The dorm rooms arent bunk beds which I see as a huge plus. This activity is one of my personal favorites. The small surf town of El Paredon, Guatemala, is safe to visit! Be aware that the streets arent always well-maintained. To soak up and immerse ourselves in different languages, cultures, tastes and traditions. Swell Guatemala (this seems to be the cool place to stay these days. Theres always something going on! After being turned away by most of the other places in El Paredon who werent very helpful at all this place was a breath of fresh air. They do have a huge sea turtle conservation project that is a must to check out if you come during the sea turtle hatching season. Its only 3 hours from Lake Atitlan or 2 hours from Antigua. There are only about 5 places to stay there (a few more options and it is growing) If you want to surf in Guatemala you need to either go early in the morning or after 5 pm There is little to no wifi in El Paredon El Paredon, Guatemala Though Guatemala does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety, El Paredon is very safe. Go for it! Read below for more weather and travel details. So dont expect too much in terms of anything really! Hotel in El Paredn Buena Vista. Yes, you should! The restaurant moved since I went there and you can also stay in, I think thats the name anyway! Everything below is something I currently use and never leave my house without. This means, from November to April. El Paredon Surf Camp is the surf camp that I went with when I was here, and they were super cool and very reasonably priced. Theres a bar and a restaurant if youre not a guest so you can always enjoy Driftwood without staying here. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. Thank you for reading my guide about El Paredon in Guatemala! For full information, please see my disclaimerhere. You can chill at their pool (excellent since the beach sand has rough water and burning sand) and use their facilities. Shuttles depart El Paredon twice a day, around 9 AM and 2 PM. While in El Paredon, you need to experience a boat ride through the mangroves and seeing the sunset on the beach at la barra which is the point where the river meets the ocean. What makes this small town so special, is the unique experiences it offers. Unlike many other surf towns in Central America, El Paredon is a very quiet one. This is due to volcanic activity. If you just speak to someone at our accommodation they will organize lessons for you. So take my advice if you are going to El Paredon, book to stay at Casa Macano Surf-Yoga! Its never far! If you are going to eat fish in Guatemala, this is the place to do it! When you arrive here it feels so remote but that is why I fell in love with this place. Plus, it has an incredible nightlife thatll make your Guatemala trip memorable! They have all the usuals, pool, food, bar, hammock hut on the beach and they often have parties and live music. This small, laidback fishing village is located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, about two hours from Antigua and three and a half hours from the capital. The nice thing about that is, you can lose yourself in your day and then when the light begins to drop and the sunset oranges appear you just drop everything and head to the beach. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The best things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala 1. Did I forget to mention its location just a few minutes walk from the beach? Make sure you take out plenty of cash before you come, because not everywhere accepts credit cards (or you might have to pay a large fee.). So if youre wanting a late lunch at 4pm you might struggle to find a place offering food at that time. Within their mission, La Choza Chula also offer local experiences that will immerse you deep into the local culture and will give you the unique chance to see and experience the way the locals do things. for nearly as long. El Paredon is super sleepy and honestly can be explored in about an hour of walking around the town. When you picture a beach, you probably imagine white-sand and turquoise waters. This tour involves hiking Volcan Acatenango where you will camp for the night then when you arrive back in Antigua they will organize all of your transport and accommodation as well as your surf lessons. You can book transport in Guatemala with them here and Guatemalan tours with them here. This museum, about 2.75km on foot or 5km by vehicle from El Bal hilltop site, comprises a very fine open-air assemblage of Pipil stone sculpture. This website uses affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link at no extra cost to you. Woman in charge ignores safety issue - Paredon Surf House. RELATED: 7 Travel Shoes for Women That Are Functional AF. Since then the ownership has changed and it is now called, After being turned away by most of the other places in, As I mentioned before there isnt that much choice BUT its probably the best food Ive eaten in, This is a popular local food place that serves some really great fish! 25 for a little surf hut, hammock out the front, outdoor shower and a 5-minute walk from the beach. There are many surf schools and accommodations that offer surf lessons and a place to rent a surfboard if you dont have your own. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. I'm Nina, and I've been climbing volcanos, basking on exotic beaches, and dabbling in new cultures since 2011. Again you can opt for a dorm room, beach shack or private room! Several places in the town offer horseback riding, but the most famous of which is Driftwood Surfer Hostel. Ive been surfing in many places around the world, including Ecuador, Morocco, Portugal, and Mexico. Here you can find tours with a guide leading the horse, or you can ride by yourself. Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. I also use Travel Insurance Master for some short vacation type trips as they are cheaper than World Nomads a lot of the time. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. If you love the beach and surfing, then El Paredon is the perfect place for you. If you are wanting to visit El Paredon then you must know there isnt a lot to do here. They are more expensive than the chicken bus but I believe safety is worth the cost, which is not outrageously high anyway. La Choza Chula offers homestays with local families. I picked one of the very last available when I booked (Sunrise Hostal) and it was perfect for what I was looking for. This small hostel is known for its rooftop restaurant and lively nightlife, thanks to the number of backpackers that arent afraid to dance all night and take too many shots of tequila. Take a bracelet making class with some of the local girls from the village. Day passes are available if you want to use their pool and arent a guest. They also offer homestays, cooking classes, and more. Welcome to our guide to El Paredon, Guatemala! El Paredon off the beaten path. Average temperatures in El Paredon vary very little. If you are looking for things to do in El Paredon at night, then make sure you head to Drift Surfer, the towns most famous beach hostel. When I visited I was super lucky to stumble upon the place as it wasnt online at all back then. If Id have had more time, Id have loved to have joined this tour and explored the mangroves and wildlife up close and personal! Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. The most popular places to stay in El Paredon are: Surf House (Bit more upmarket but on the expensive side and always full), Surf Camp (cheaper, not so nice and always full), Casa Macano Surf-Yoga(If you want to have more of a retreat-style stay I stayed here so see below for full review), Soul Food Kitchen and Guesthouse (best Thai food in Guatemala! At 34 I sold all my worldly possessions that wouldnt fit into 3 boxes or my backpack and hit the road. Finally, you can take the chicken bus from Antigua, but youll have to transfer twice and take a tuk-tuk. Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak El Paredon beach it's a black sand beach that you will pretty much have to yourself! **Intro skips a few seconds due to a re-branding of the channel**Here I show one of the best little paradises I've ever found, El Paredon, Guatemala. Our last night was on a Friday and we met multiple people coming from Guatemala City for the weekend. You wont find any sight like it anywhere else. See all of Mollies adventures and guides here. Follow your guide through Antigua's main square to learn about its colonial architecture and sleep under the shadow of Pacaya Volcano in its national park of the same name. ), However, there are several other activities in El Paredon too. There are multiple options on how to get to El Paredon, depending on where you are. Youll explore deep into the mangrove and see all the different species living there whilst learning about the importance of mangroves here in El Paredon. Youll drive past lots of birds (some of which are migrating up north to Alaska or some that are migrating down south) as pass the mouth to the ocean and then head to a place where turtles have been living for hundreds of years. Take a cooking class and learn to make local dishes so you can recreate them at home! One of the most important roles of El Paredon is the maintenance of the local sea turtle population. When he told me it was only 100Q a night I couldnt give him my money quick enough! Nesting is from June-November. Locals and tourists visit El Paredon from Antigua to relax, unwind and take a break from the busy locations surrounding it. Remember, they have a bit more of a party vibe going on, though, so as long as you know that and thats what you want, youll be right there in the action. One of those times we stopped at Zicatela and we loved it. See more information on their website here. The best time to visit El Paredon, Guatemala is during the countrys dry season. This hostel not only has a lively atmosphere for backpackers traveling in Guatemala, but it has lots of facilities that will make you stay comfortable. The town has long been a weekend retreat for locals seeking an escape from the commotion of Guatemala City and expats living in Antigua. Thanks for stopping by my blog! When I visited here this place was actually called Finka Mistia. The last option would be to take a taxi or Uber. Make friends with the local dogs, roll out a towel, cover yourself in suncream and read your book! It features an on-site restaurant serving some of the best food in El Paredon. var Latitude=13.921353;var Longitude=-91.068703;var rootSlug='el-paredon-gt';var PlaceName='El Paredon';var today = new Date();var dd = String(today.getDate()+2).padStart(2, '0');var mm = String(today.getMonth() + 1).padStart(2, '0');var yyyy = today.getFullYear();today= yyyy + '-' + mm + '-' + dd; The best times to visit El Paredon for ideal weather are. So these are the spots offering day passes. And definitely keep in mind if you book another place, the town is small and you might still here the music if youre close enough. I only have one night, which was not enough! There are so many Airbnbs to choose from in El Paredon. Every day, he is traveling and sharing his discoveries of the world through exceptional travel guides on his blog! El Paredon is a surfing beach town located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the department of Escuintla. Before or after the midday sun, take a stroll along the beach and soak up the tranquillity of El Paredon. The money will help run this site! RELATED: 15 of The BEST Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala. The 20km. The sunrise and sunset light here is heaven. Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. Driftwood is the popular hostel I mentioned at the beginning of this El Paredon travel guide. Considering I dont enjoy staying at places that have a lot of people with parties and have dorms to sleep in, I opted to have my private bungalow elsewhere. You can book a tour through La Choza Chula. Highs range from 94.6F (34.8C) and 89.3F (31.8C) with similar temperatures in the later months. The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in El Paredon. El Paredon is known as an up-and-coming destination ever since it caught the attention of many foreign surfers. If you are also looking for the best places to eat in Antigua, take a look at this post right here where I go through all my favorite restaurants, cafes, and breweries in Antigua. Many visitors will flock towards the sand to try to catch the last light of the day. Many hostels in the area have pools but if yours doesnt then you can easily get a day pass. Its highly advised to book accommodation before arriving. Its better if you drive there or take a shuttle. One of the most exciting attractions in El Paredon is the nearby mangroves in Sipacate Naranjo National Park. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) The sun gets extremely red and big. Some people would recommend using the chicken bus, but Guatemalas public transport isnt the most reliable or safe. El Nido Paredon Hotel room in El Paredon Zala House - King-Suite 2 $127 night 4.93 (27) SUPERHOST Private room in El Paredn Buena Vista Villa Maran - private room with AC and pool $98 4.98 (49) SUPERHOST Home in El Paredon BarriOceano - Barrel Cottage $150 SUPERHOST Private room in El Paredon Villa Kaikora Guesthouse in El Paredon I think its popular because of its undeniably popular location (right on the beachfront) and because word has caught on and lots of people hang out here. You will have to transfer busses and then take a tuk-tuk when you get closer to town, This doesnt save that much money and a shuttle is still more cost-effective, If you have a group of people then an uber can be a good choice. See average monthly temperatures below. I'm Phillip, an adventure enthusiast from the U.S. traveling the world full time. If you take a chicken bus, youll need to make multiple transfers or even take tuk-tuks. My goal is to help others find the experience they want out of life and to show them how to achieve it. They give you the opportunity to experience the true Guatemalan way of life. Since then the ownership has changed and it is now calledCasa Macano Surf-Yoga. The beaches in El Paredon and Monterrico are very much alike. With the endless volcanic black sand beach and the consistent waves it is a perfect destination for all types of . Its location couldnt be any more central or conveniently located on the beachfront. As a small, sleepy town, crime is really minimal. You might not get quite the array of ex-pat run juice bars and sunset cocktail joints but you are guaranteed a Guatemalan experience. We were never disappointed. This is my complete travel guide to El Paredon, Guatemala. There can be a strong current and if you go too far out it might pull you in. Depending on when you come to El Paredon, there wont be a ton of restaurants that you are used to having. If you leave from San Pedro, the shuttle will first go to Antigua then El Paredon whereas leaving from Panajachel is a straight shot. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Wear shoes on the beach. And What Not To Pack? They guarantee all visitors will have the best experience while taking a tour with them, and all profits are reinvested in their community development projects. One of the best things about Guatemala is its delicious cuisine. I didnt see the full menu but I have it on good authority that they have the best Pizza in, Board rental is about 60Q for 3 hours or 100Q for a day, I only have one night, which was not enough! If you are a bit of an adventure junky then you could also book a Summit to Surf tour through OX Expeditions. In this post, I am going to go through how to get from Antigua to the beach El Paredon, where to stay in El Paredon, what to eat and a few not-to-miss things to do. The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. Unknown to most travelers, Guatemala's best kept secret is home to some of the country's top surfers. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night. and offers the balance of tranquil vibes around the pool along with medium doses of lets get in the ocean and surf baby! You can opt for beachfront bungalows, shared dorms (perfect for solo travellers) and sea view suites! Thank you! ID LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WEVE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN! You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. You may think to yourself that you want to stay at the party hostel but in reality, the whole town congregates in one area/hostel every night. Although its only two hours from Antigua, it feels very remote and like its a world away. Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. The weather tends to be extremely hot and humid during March and April, but it cools down after sunset. We mostly ate at our hostel (Cocori) and they had amazing food. Many hotels offer classes and equipment at affordable prices, so you dont have to worry about being inexperienced. IM MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings for Guatemala; exercise a high degree of caution. there arent many options and many people book before arriving. Drfitwood hosts evening events and dinners too (you know, beer pong vibes) have a wander in and just ask one of the many staff here. 2023 Wander Her Way. More Routes from Antigua Antigua to Lanqun Antigua to San Marcos la Laguna Antigua to Lake Atitlan Antigua to El Paredon So make sure that you know what youre doing or go out with a surf camp. On average, it rains or snows a very small amount: 0 to 1 times per month. This tour involves hiking, The Solo Girls Guide To Traveling Without Fear, The Solo Girls Guide To Becoming A Digital Nomad, El Paredon Surfing Where to surf in El Paredon, book transport in Guatemala with them here. These times of year are the busiest with tourists. With how remote El Paredon is and seems, it is actually quite easy to get here. Im not joking; this town is pretty desolate! And those hippies that walk around beach towns barefooted regret all their life choices when they come here thinking they will do the same. I am certainly no stranger to adventure, outward and within. Sgueme en Instagram como JULSGOES #guatemala #beachhotel #beachlife #hotel.julsgoes | Publicar el sorteo en mi InstagramQuieres ganarte 1 noche aqu ? You cant come to the beach and not have a beach day. Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. Its a wild feeling and very unique. El Paredon is an up-and-coming destination in Guatemala. Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Since then, I have trekked through the Andes, tested my lungs at over 5,000 meters above sea level, encountered the worlds deadliest spider in the Amazon Rainforest, explored the worlds most catastrophic nuclear disaster. We recommend that you do horseback riding around sunset, so you can enjoy the beautiful colors of the falling sun as you make your way across the gorgeous black sand beaches of El Paredon. I was here for three days and it was MORE than enough time. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. This is where we stayed and we loved it! Just 60 meters away from the beach, you can run to the waves straight from your villa's doorstep. You will soon get used to it as you see no one else surfing during those other hours of the day. Categories Central America, Destinations, Guatemala, Why You NEED To Do A Tikal Tour In Guatemala. I didnt see the full menu but I have it on good authority that they have the best Pizza in Guatemala and I can safely say their breakfast waffle was the best breakfast Ive eaten in a long time. You can also email but remember the wifi isnt great there so it is always best to call. However, the beach really comes to life when sunset approaches. What Should You Pack For Guatemala? There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. Relax on the beach in El Paredon, cruise serene Lake Atitln, and visit one of Central America's . Fro. This isnt the normal beach destination that you will see in other areas around Central America. Although it had only just opened and was still a work in progress you can see the potential. The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. Ultimate Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike, The Complete Guide to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Hey, I am Sean Lau! Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. They offer the following tours: I took the turtle tour and although the turtles were pretty quiet its was a great tour and so interesting to find out more about the organization. A guide to the Acatenango volcano hike, Guatemala, The best things to do and see in Guatemala, A San Cristobal de las Casas travel guide, 10-minute inner joy visualisation and journal prompts, Goal setting: How to bring your dreams to life, What is journaling? You can expect the temperature to be between 32 and 34 Celsius, with nights being around the mid-twenties. Here are the best things to do. Other travel guides we know you will like: Global traveller @ste_marques shares with us the B, 5 DAY TRIPS FROM LISBON Its known for being an up-and-coming destination thats popular with surfers and beach bums. Watching the sun rise and the sun set is one of the best things to do in El Paredon for sure. Driftwood Surfer Hostel raises money each year to buy eggs from the poachers and donates them to the conservatory. This was during peak season in January 2022. Shuttles leave twice a day. Posted on Published: December 21, 2021- Last updated: March 12, 2022. During the day, most people prefer to spend their time in the water. Explore The Pacific Slope. Its one of the best surf spots in Guatemala, in fact, The Guardian thinks its one of the t. Where is El Paredon beach, and how do you get from Antigua to the beach? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. With no plans to stop anytime soon Im always looking for my next adventure be it attempting to surf or climbing a volcano Ill try (almost) anything once! Tourism data for this area is extrapolated based on nearby areas. The hostel is a huge part of the community in El Paredon, so if you need information about surfing, turtle release, or really about anything in El Paredon, the staff at Driftwood Surfer can help you. Here are the activities we recommend you check out: Perhaps the best thing to do in El Paredon is to go surfing. There are very few places to eat and not many hotels either. This is a good, affordable place to learn how to surf for beginners. However, the water here is a bit intimidating, so you might want to go out with somebody who can help you have more fun and be super safe. If you want a break from all the exciting activities we recommended above, then maybe youll want to just lay down on the black sand and relax for a while. Rent a board and surf! Unless youre here to really take on the surf, you probably wont need more than 2-3 days. From surfing in its bright blue waters, to seeing sea turtles, or just relaxing in top-rated hotels, you wont get bored there. If you are going to eat fish in, The owner Garry is really friendly and knows how to make some great food! Some of these days passes even come with drink vouchers. This is easily the most popular activity that people come to El Paredon to partake in. World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer. I thrive in nature, with nature and by recognising my true nature in the midst of it all. Instead, they use a washing line. Of course, Guatemala has some of the most beautiful destinations in Central America, but none of them feel quite like El Paredon. I highly recommend Paredon Surf House. Its the most affordable way to eat and 2. you get the local experience. The black sand isnt ideal for sunbathing, so you wont find any parasols or lounge chairs unless you bring your own. The sand becomes less hot which is also a great time to walk down the beach and explore. From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. There is a family-run laundry in town, but they do not have tumble dry. Message your host / accommodation ahead of time to arrange. You dont really think about Guatemala having an amazing beach scene but it does. Another option is taking an Uber from Antigua, which is what I did and it was about $55.