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? Some of the other activities you can book through them include: As you will come soon find out, partying is very popular in this area of Guatemala. You will definitely want to wear shoes while walking on the beach, or risk burning your feet. Afterwards, enjoy the food with the local family! Like many Latin-American countries, Guatemala has unique national foods that will make your mouth water. So make sure that you know what youre doing or go out with a surf camp. La Choza Chula is a popular organization that empowers communities to build sustainable futures. I know of many people who came to El Paredon for a short time, and then just never left, Here are some other random things to know before you visit, There are no ATMs in El Paredon. On my blog, you will find personal information, guides and travel tips as I share my discoveries of the world. When he told me it was only 100Q a night I couldnt give him my money quick enough! Did you find this post helpful? Tucked away and secluded from the everyday hustle and bustle, El Paredon is a hidden paradise. As I mentioned before there isnt that much choice BUT its probably the best food Ive eaten in Guatemala and the cheapest. With how remote El Paredon is and seems, it is actually quite easy to get here. Travel insurance has always been high my list of things to get before I travel but now more than ever its at the top of my list. One of the many things La Choza Chula offers is a Guatemalan cooking class. Ive got you! El Paredon is the spot to get your fix of saltwater and to soak up some beach life and surf lessons! We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the pool and intermittently walked to the beach Anahi United States of America 9.3 You can take these tours with them, and many of the accommodations I mention below also offer these tours through them. At the end of the day, this is a quiet beach town and the main activity would be surfing, chilling, and partying. The weather in El Paredon was great every single day I was there. Weather stations report no annual snow. There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. When I visited I was super lucky to stumble upon the place as it wasnt online at all back then. El Paredon is located near the Sipacate-Naranjo National Park of mangrove forests. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! When I visited here this place was actually called Finka Mistia. Your options for beaches in Guatemala are pretty slim. It was even kind of burning my feet when it got kicked into my flip flops. One of the most important roles of El Paredon is the maintenance of the local sea turtle population. Make friends with the local dogs, roll out a towel, cover yourself in suncream and read your book! Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. The accommodations here include glamping tents, bungalows, and private air-conditioned rooms. I am certainly no stranger to adventure, outward and within. Dont get me wrong though, people still want to party here. Although its only two hours from Antigua, it feels very remote and like its a world away. I think thats the name anyway! Other travel guides we know you will like: Global traveller @ste_marques shares with us the B, 5 DAY TRIPS FROM LISBON Driftwood is the place everyone talks about but I didnt see the WOW factor myself. If youve rented a car, then you can easily drive there. Many surfers come during this time as it is also one of the best times to go out. Dont come here with the wrong idea. For 120 quezales($15), I had a private one-hour lesson with Bagley. El Paredon is a small fishing village in Guatemala, with the Pacific Ocean on the South-Eas,t and the Sipacate Mangrove Nature Reserve on the North-West side. When they were open.. the food was amazing! Keep in mind parties, surf, and chilling in pools are pretty much the main things to do here and not much else. El Paredon is super sleepy and honestly can be explored in about an hour of walking around the town. Someone different is putting on an event each night and thats where you will see everyone. Please see myDisclosurefor more details. 3av 3-25, El Paredon, Sipacate, Escuintla, 05021 Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay $89 per night Feb 20 - Feb 21 0.49 mi from city center Swell Surf & Lifestyle Hotel 1 Avenida, Sipacate, Escuintla $66 per night Feb 20 - Feb 21 0.44 mi from city center 4.7/5 Exceptional! I dont think Ive ever travelled to a place where you can enjoy both sunrise and sunset from the same spot on the same day! Again you can opt for a dorm room, beach shack or private room! You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. 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. Jokes aside - El Paredon is pretty safe. 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. When you arrive here it feels so remote but that is why I fell in love with this place. Whether youre an avid surfer, yogi, beach volleyballer or beach bum, I think we can all agree that getting to enjoy the sunrise and sunset light in one day is nothing short of a dream. So take my advice if you are going to El Paredon, book to stay at Casa Macano Surf-Yoga! 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. The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. It can be a bit pricier than other parts of Guatemala but that is due in part to the location. 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. El Paredon beach it's a black sand beach that you will pretty much have to yourself! You can organize many of the activities mentioned above (like seeing the turtles or a boat tour) through La Choza Chula, a local social enterprise in El Paredon that benefits the community directly. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. The only danger in El Paredon is the strong currents that could pull in inexperienced swimmers. Your options are Thai Curry, Indian Curry or Noodles. More About Nina. If you wish to avoid the stress of driving there yourself, then the most common way to arrive at El Paredon, Guatemala is to use a tourist shuttle service. When you picture a beach, you probably imagine white-sand and turquoise waters. If youre not a guest you can get a day pass for the pool and to chill out in the gorgeous setting. They will get you to El Paredon in no time and even pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Due to its proximity to Antigua, it makes a great weekend trip. The majority of people that come in here are coming for the surf. 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. In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. It is a 2-hour drive from Antigua Guatemala, and a 3-hour drive from Guatemala City. There are some other cool activities in this area that you can do if those arent your thing. El Paredon Guatemala At A Glance El Paredon is a tinny town where you can literally walk its length in about 10 minutes! Its only 3 hours from Lake Atitlan or 2 hours from Antigua. There are very few places to eat and not many hotels either. Hey, I am Sean Lau! Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. I highly recommend Paredon Surf House. I also use Travel Insurance Master for some short vacation type trips as they are cheaper than World Nomads a lot of the time. Reviewed March 3, 2022 . La Choza Chula are a social enterprise and rely on donations/tour bookings to drive their mission another reason to book your adventures here! Tourists are unlikely to visit El Paredon in October. They give you the opportunity to experience the true Guatemalan way of life. You might also like: Acatenango Volcano Hike - The ultimate 2 day adventure in Guatemala Whether you are a big surfer or looking to relax for a few days, I highly suggest coming here. I also. Its developing quite fast there and for good reason. Your options for beaches in Guatemala are pretty slim. Our last night was on a Friday and we met multiple people coming from Guatemala City for the weekend. El Paredon off the beaten path. If 2020 taught us anything, its that you need to be prepared for anything! There can be a strong current and if you go too far out it might pull you in. This is a very small beach town, dont just show up! If you have a portable one then that is even better! and a cool outdoor space including a pool, hammocks, and airy loft. It is among the most popular destinations in the country due to its friendly locals, stunning landscape, and laid-back atmosphere. Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. For the tourist bus, its around 125Q and you can either book through the accommodation you book to stay in El Paredon, or, As mentioned earlier there arent that many places to stay in, Unfortunately, I didnt confirm a booking before I went and ended up wandering down the beach looking for somewhere to stay! Its never far! There is nothing like relaxing in a hammock in the afternoon while a breeze is cooling you off. Even though El Paredon is a small town, youll find many things to do to keep you entertained. Note that we define significant precipitation as .1 inches or more in this section. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. If Id have had more time, Id have loved to have joined this tour and explored the mangroves and wildlife up close and personal! Youll learn how to prepare Guatemalan tortillas, empanadas, ticucas, and much more! Located a little bit more inland than the rest (a 5-minute walk to the beach) it is a nice place to relax and get away from the beachfront party vibes. The small town is home to a small population, which means that no crime goes unnoticed. I saw many of the same people night after night, which made this town seem very close-knit. The town has long been a weekend retreat for locals seeking an escape from the commotion of Guatemala City and expats living in Antigua. Youll spot all the local wildlife, from ibises to herons and turtles. Between June and October (rainy season) is when youll find the biggest waves in El Paredon so do some research if surfing is something youre keen to do. If youre going to walk on the beach, walk along the wet part and run there because the dry sand will scald you on the way. The way we experience weather isnt all about temperature. From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. Firstly unless you are a good surfer and know what you are doing get at least one lesson before venturing out there on your own! 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. 7 Travel Shoes for Women That Are Functional AF. It has a stunning pool and comfortable accommodations ranging from shared rooms to private bungalows to private room with air conditioning. Like the one below. You can book onto one of their tours or opt for kayak rental and explore for yourself. Cost During the week, its a 100q tab ($13), and on weekends its 150q ($20), but you only get a 100q towards your bar tab. If you buy something through the links on this page, youre helping me pay for my next adventureso, thank you for clicking! Hotel in El Paredn Buena Vista. If you're an independent surfer with a solid experience of surfing on green waves (the unbroken waves), you'll love it here! While there isnt too much to do in El Paredon, its a good place to relax and you wont want to rush yourself, so I would recommend staying for at least two nights. It is the lowest . After witnessing the force of the waves in Puerto Escondido, further up the coast, its safe to say you want to have an idea of what to expect before you book a surf trip! Crowds naturally gather in this location come sunset so its a very social place to grab a drink and join in with the beach volleyball which, during my stay, seemed to be daily occurance. Youll be watching the sun go down after another day in paradise with everyone else in El Paredon, its a social time to be at the beach for sure! 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! Just be careful when swimming in the ocean. Two reputable organizations are El Paredon Surf Camp School El Paredon Surfing School (not online) and Pacifico Tours (not online). It is accessible via two different routes, either coming via land or via boat, travelling down the canal until you arrive at the community from the Sipacate side. Some of these days passes even come with drink vouchers. 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. 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. 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. Woman in charge ignores safety issue - Paredon Surf House. However, even though it is extremely well-known, this beach town maintains its laid-back, almost remote feeling. El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. La Choza Chula is a non-profit that empowers locals by creating authentic experiences. One of the guys staying in my dorm told me his friend broke his board the day before and so he was mostly bodyboarding because it was too crazy out there. Luckily there are a few little hammock huts along the beach, but those are for guests only; we will talk more about this in a sec! Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. Many come here to relax, surf, or party as there are honestly not many other choices! If the place youre staying doesnt have its own pool, you can get a day pass at Mellow Hostel for Q150 (which includes Q100 bar tab.) 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! The best thing about El Paredon is that there are always waves to surf. Hiking the Famous Acatenango Volcano Near Antigua, Exploring the Nature Park of Hobbitenango, Exploring the Many Hikes Lake Atitlan has to offer, KEEN Durand II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks, 10 Day Itinerary in Guatemala: The Ideal Route, 3 Week Itinerary in Peru: A Hikers Dream, 3 Week Itinerary in Colombia: A Dream Vacation, The best overall way to travel from Lake Atitlan to El Paredon is by shuttle, This shuttle takes 3 hours and you will have to get off and onto a boat for the last 10 minutes. You might not get quite the array of ex-pat run juice bars and sunset cocktail joints but you are guaranteed a Guatemalan experience. 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. There is a family-run laundry in town, but they do not have tumble dry. El Paredon lies on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, roughly two hours from Antigua and three hours from Guatemala City. The cost for this can end up being about the same as a shuttle, so thats really your best option. However, with that said, if you are the right person, you all have so much fun visiting this beach town! If you'd like, you can also opt for a visit to the sleepy beach community of Monterrico for a special wildlife experience. All rights reserved. This is a really unique experience because you really get to share and experience how the local people here in El Paredon live. I only have one night, which was not enough! They have all the usuals, pool, food, bar, hammock hut on the beach and they often have parties and live music. These are just *some* of the m. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Be sure to check the times with the two shuttle operators (NEWay and 2theOcean) to get the exact schedule. This actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise as whilst wandering down the beach I stumbled upon, When I visited here this place was actually called Finka Mistia. Usually, a third-party shuttle runs daily from Antigua to El Paredn, and the prices are usually around Q110 per person. Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). If you love the beach and surfing, then El Paredon is the perfect place for you. Its a place on the verge of becoming part of the tourist trail, things are changing quickly there and new hotels, shops, and restaurants are being built quickly. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 17 Adventurous Things To Do in Guatemala + Tips For Your Visit! 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! But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. If you want to stay a little longer I would recommend speaking to, If you are a bit of an adventure junky then you could also book a Summit to Surf tour through OX Expeditions. La Choza Chula offers homestays with local families. They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) You can book a tour through La Choza Chula. Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. 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. Finca El Zapote ofrece a sus visitantes cientos de actividades por hacer al aire libre, siendo un lugar paradisaco con vistas impresionantes. This makes El Paredon one of the best places in Guatemala to go surfing. I got the fish tacos which were amazing. Other than this it is practically not worth grabbing your board to head out there, which is sad. Since I have to eat and drink because I am human it made it very worth it! This is a good, affordable place to learn how to surf for beginners. The owner is a pretty cool guy). If youre looking for an up-and-coming destination thats good for surfing and having a good time, El Paredon is definitely perfect for you! How magical is that!? Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The best time to visit El Paredon for the best surfing conditions is between November and April. Categories Central America, Destinations, Guatemala, Why You NEED To Do A Tikal Tour In Guatemala. Nina helps people like you move around the world while making money. Driftwood Surfer is by far the most popular hostel amongst backpackers. WiFi is meh and not offered at every accomodation. Driftwood is the popular hostel I mentioned at the beginning of this El Paredon travel guide. Its the most affordable way to eat and 2. you get the local experience. A few of the hotels around El Paredon offer day passes where you can give them X amount of money, and you can use that money as your bar or food tab. Take a tour with La Choza Chula. Visitors can take in the tropical atmosphere just by walking through the elegantly-designed hotel. El Paredon might not be known for its extravagant hotels, but Kaan Surf can satisfy some of your modern needs. See more information on their website here. Many hotels offer classes and equipment at affordable prices, so you dont have to worry about being inexperienced. What a perfect way to end your trip here than to watch the amazing sunset this area has to offer. You can see turtles feeding year-round in El Paredon (and depending on the season, you might even be able to watch them hatch!) Granted its not always like that, but still, issue caution when heading out. There is no ATM! LivingOutLau is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. RELATED: 17 Adventurous Things To Do in Guatemala + Tips For Your Visit! So dont expect too much in terms of anything really! 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. There are so many Airbnbs to choose from in El Paredon. This advisory was last updated on Sep 09, 2019. Sgueme en Instagram como JULSGOES #guatemala #beachhotel #beachlife #hotel.julsgoes | Publicar el sorteo en mi InstagramQuieres ganarte 1 noche aqu ? Along with trendy and spacious rooms that offer the most comfortable sleep, there is nothing more you could want! Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. It is possible to go straight from San Pedro La Laguna instead of meeting in Panajachel but this isnt suggested. Keep in mind this town is mega small! 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. You wont find any sight like it anywhere else.

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