In most hostels, you will have the opportunity of staying at a beachfront property for a great price. Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. I've worked abroad and remotely to support my adventure travel addiction, and now I'm sharing all my travel hacks, travel job opportunities, and ways you can travel longer! They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) El Paredon is known as an up-and-coming destination ever since it caught the attention of many foreign surfers. I'm Nina, and I've been climbing volcanos, basking on exotic beaches, and dabbling in new cultures since 2011. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shuttles leave twice a day. LivingOutLau is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. 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. PeruRomaniaColombiaGuatemalaHong KongMalaysia. Anything youd add? Theyve worked on building local libraries and schools. The only company I recommend for booking transport and tours in Guatemala (other than the individuals and companies I have named) is GuateGo. But this afternoon, the beach is deserted; there are no surfers catching barrels or carving up some of Central America's cleanest waves. Your options are Thai Curry, Indian Curry or Noodles. I was here for three days and it was MORE than enough time. What To Do in El Paredon, Guatemala - Twirl The Globe Im pretty sure we have all had travel plans messed up because of COVID and not all insurers covered this. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With its close proximity to Lake Atitlan (3 hours) and Antigua (2 hours), it makes it great for weekend trips. For full information, please see my disclaimerhere. I think thats the name anyway! Just be careful when swimming in the ocean. This is my complete travel guide to El Paredon, Guatemala. Nina Ragusa is an adventurer, messy bun master, breakfast fan, and full-time travel blogger. There are some good spots along the beachfront where you can set it up. Take a bracelet making class with some of the local girls from the village. These spots are also where the parties will be if there are any. Its never far! Instead, they use a washing line. Heres what you need to know to have the perfect beach escape in El Paredon. I also recommend buying meals/snacks from local business instead of only eating at expat-owned restaurants and hotels. These months see the most precipitation with 10 to 12 days of precipitation per month. 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. Did I forget to mention its location just a few minutes walk from the beach? This is easily the most popular activity that people come to El Paredon to partake in. Thank you! It is only two hours away from Antigua Guatemala, so you can get there quickly. See the exact locations of these spots on the Guatemala Google Map Legend. Just 60 meters away from the beach, you can run to the waves straight from your villa's doorstep. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! As you make your way down, you can admire the flora and fauna of the mangroves. If you decide to take a Chicken Bus from Antigua to El Paredon it will take you a whopping 6 hours! Heres more information about the shuttles. Woman in charge ignores safety issue - Review of Paredon Surf House, El El Paredon, Guatemala, is a small and sleepy surf town. Fro. This was during peak season in January 2022. This isnt going to be a luxury beach getaway with perfect white sand. Hammock Living. Most people, myself included, will head to the Pacific Coast to get their dose of saltwater whilst in Guatemala. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! When you arrive here it feels so remote but that is why I fell in love with this place. If you're an independent surfer with a solid experience of surfing on green waves (the unbroken waves), you'll love it here! Black sand beaches are very common in Guatemala, which makes them exotic. 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. That means you can use all 150q on drinks and food all day while using their facilities. El Paredon Guatemala Surf - A Complete Guide By A Surfer The tranquil town of El Paredon is the perfect place for surfers and lovers of the ocean. Hotel in El Paredn Buena Vista. A lot smaller than Id imagined. 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. 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. It is so hot that most people dont bask on the sandy beach during the day. This is a really magical experience, you head out during sunrise and on a clear day, youll see the 3 volcanoes. El Paredon Guatemala - 13+ Cool Things To Do, Where To Stay & Eat Join our mailing list to get the latest updates!! 76 68. If there are particular food or snacks you wish to bring with you, make sure you purchase them before your stay in El Paredon. Ive been surfing in many places around the world, including Ecuador, Morocco, Portugal, and Mexico. I am certainly no stranger to adventure, outward and within. Nights in El Paredon can be relaxing, but when the weekend comes around, the town comes to life with beach bonfires, live music at Cocor Lodge, and drinking games at the Driftwood Surfer. The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. Below I will explain multiple options when coming from Lake Atitlan and Antigua. But seriously. Hold your shoes, dont leave them somewhere! Driftwood is the place everyone talks about but I didnt see the WOW factor myself. This means, from November to April. I got you covered! Visitors can take in the tropical atmosphere just by walking through the elegantly-designed hotel. 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. In order to avoid having your plans sidetracked due to heavy rains, it is best to visit between November and April. Be aware that the streets arent always well-maintained. Start your day with some movement and connection to self before the world gets its hands you! 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. How to get from Antigua to El Paredon, Guatemala 2023 Wander Her Way. Message your host / accommodation ahead of time to arrange. The cost for this can end up being about the same as a shuttle, so thats really your best option. The local families La Choza Chula work with are very warm and friendly and love to learn about the new cultures too. Safety Wing goes the extra mile and covers quarantine outside your home for up to 10 days, they also have a really handy map on their website showing requirements and restrictions for each country. So when looking for travel insurance its important to check it covers travel disruption due to COVID-19, World Nomads, Safety Wing, or Travel Insurance Master all provide cover for this. This is not the place you can go in the water and play around. Unless youre here to really take on the surf, you probably wont need more than 2-3 days. for nearly as long. IM MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. Super cool chill spot with access to hammocks, pool, and hang-out area at the top of their main bungalow. With the endless volcanic black sand beach and the consistent waves it is a perfect destination for all types of . Many surfers come during this time as it is also one of the best times to go out. So if you want to hammock it up along the coast, this is the spot. 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. I got the best of both worlds, access to the cool hotel WITHOUT the lack of sleep at night (granny needs her shut-eye, kids!). So make sure that you know what youre doing or go out with a surf camp. 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? Almost every place on the beach will have board rentals available; however, some do not rent to people who have never been surfing before because, as we have mentioned, the surf can be dangerous. Im sure it is finished now and much better equipped. El Paredon is a surfing beach town located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the department of Escuintla. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. The only difference between the two towns is that Monterrico has more resort-like properties and is more popular with Guatemalan tourists. Unknown to most travelers, Guatemala's best kept secret is home to some of the country's top surfers. If you have a few extra days in Guatemala, El Paredon is definitely worth visiting. 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. Here are the best things to do. Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. 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. Relaxing on the beach will give you the breather you need, you are still on vacation after all! El Paredon consists of one main road with multiple shops on either side and smaller dirt roads around it. Other travel guides we know you will like: Global traveller @ste_marques shares with us the B, 5 DAY TRIPS FROM LISBON Also. 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? The Best Surfing in Guatemala Is at El Paredon - Matador Network 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. If you are wanting to visit El Paredon then you must know there isnt a lot to do here. El Paredon is on Guatemala's Pacific coast. Swell Guatemala (this seems to be the cool place to stay these days. Unfortunately, I didnt confirm a booking before I went and ended up wandering down the beach looking for somewhere to stay! We guarantee youll make unforgettable memories during your stay in El Paredon. Top tip: The black sands get very hot during the day for obvious reasons so whilst its nice to be barefoot on the earth, Id bring flip flops to save yourself the burn! Keep in mind parties, surf, and chilling in pools are pretty much the main things to do here and not much else. From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. La Choza Chula are located in the heart of El Paredon where you can visit their shop to book a tour or to shop the local ecological products made by the local women. 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. If you are going to eat fish in, The owner Garry is really friendly and knows how to make some great food! Surfing or learning to surf is one of the best things to do in El Paredon and with it being such a small beach town, ocean time is one of the only things to do! There is nothing like relaxing in a hammock in the afternoon while a breeze is cooling you off. I thrive in nature, with nature and by recognising my true nature in the midst of it all. Its mainly the kind of destination you go to if you want to surf, or just kick back and relax at the beach or pool (and party at night! When he told me it was only 100Q a night I couldnt give him my money quick enough! 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. There are quite a few places to stay in El Paredon. El Paredon is the most gorgeous little surf townon the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. On average, it rains or snows a very small amount: 0 to 1 times per month. Rain is rare with 0 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. a beach hut with no air conditioning.) Take a cooking class and learn to make local dishes so you can recreate them at home! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You can visit the park by boat and by kayak. The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. The warmest time of year is generally late April where highs are regularly around 94.6F (34.8C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 73.7F (23.2C) at night. There are very few places to eat and not many hotels either. If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. The windiest month is March, followed by April and February. This is one of the most popular spots! During the day, its best to observe from the safety of a hammock or a pool deck. Our last night was on a Friday and we met multiple people coming from Guatemala City for the weekend. Because of this, it is advised to try to book well in advance if you want a specific place to stay. El Paredon is famous for its black sand beaches. Disclosure: Where in the World is Nina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program as well as other affiliate programs, designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you. This is a really unique experience because you really get to share and experience how the local people here in El Paredon live. Renee - SALES. As mentioned earlier there arent that many places to stay in El Paredon (yet!). At 34 I sold all my worldly possessions that wouldnt fit into 3 boxes or my backpack and hit the road. I know Guatemala from the many volcanos and the beautiful Lake Atitlan. Like, Im not joking here, this sand is crazy. If youve visited other parts of the country, youll know all about the shoddy roads. These are just *some* of the m. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The small surf town of El Paredon, Guatemala, is safe to visit! Wind in El Paredon is usually extremely calm. Visitors can explore the unique environment by taking on a tour in a traditional wooden boat. One of the best things about Guatemala is its delicious cuisine. Yes, you should! Some tours even include classes for you to learn how the locals fish, and youll get the chance to try a new experience on a tranquil part of the mangrove. El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. REMINDER: Never walk around barefoot, the black sand is incredibly hot! Welcome to our guide to El Paredon, Guatemala! With how remote El Paredon is and seems, it is actually quite easy to get here. What Should You Pack For Guatemala? It is truly a quiet surf destination in an unlikely place. I picked one of the very last available when I booked (Sunrise Hostal) and it was perfect for what I was looking for. As Ive mentioned, El Paredon is small. Highs range from 94.6F (34.8C) and 89.3F (31.8C) with similar temperatures in the later months. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced. The beaches in Guatemala arent necessarily well-known, and most wont put these spots on their itinerary while exploring the country. Reviewed March 3, 2022 . Home | El Paredon Surf Camp Day passes are available if you want to use their pool and arent a guest. I dont care for that, so I just did day passes instead, which are 100% worth it! 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. Id love you to share it for me. I only have one night, which was not enough! El Paredon is known as an up-and-coming destination ever since it caught the attention of many foreign surfers. ), However, there are several other activities in El Paredon too. Though Guatemala does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety, El Paredon is very safe. Canadian Rockies Road TripAn Epic 1-Week Itinerary, 15 of The BEST Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala, Hi, friend! The local fisherman will teach some fishing techniques before you have a go at fishing for yourself. The community in El Paredon is very environmentally aware. The Essential Beach Packing List (+ Fun Items and Tips! The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in El Paredon. PAREDON SURF HOUSE - Updated 2023 Prices & Guest house Reviews (El