Shes been abroad since 2011 and blogging on Where in the World is Nina? Book your tour and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. This is my complete travel guide to El Paredon, Guatemala. 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! Heres what you need to know to have the perfect beach escape in El Paredon. Several places in the town offer horseback riding, but the most famous of which is Driftwood Surfer Hostel. Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the pool and intermittently walked to the beach Anahi United States of America 9.3 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. This is me Living Out Loud(Lau). Did you find this post helpful? Unlike surfing which you have to do in the sea, you can stand-up paddleboard in the river, which means that you dont have to worry about the violent waves. They are a local Not For Profit company who have done some great work in the local community building schools and libraries. There is a family-run laundry in town, but they do not have tumble dry. Now, it is one of the most popular destinations for many tourists. Make friends with the local dogs, roll out a towel, cover yourself in suncream and read your book! Additionally, if you visit between March and April, youll experience warmer weather. The best way to enjoy the lively atmosphere is to book a room with Driftwood Surfer and stay with them. Bring a towel and your camera and enjoy the show that light ups the sky. You can book transport in Guatemala with them here and Guatemalan tours with them here. 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! Start your day with some movement and connection to self before the world gets its hands you! As you walk along the black sandy shores, you encounter endless waves and breathtaking sunsets. Although its only two hours from Antigua, it feels very remote and like its a world away. Learn more. One way to get to El Paredon is by shuttle. Instead, they use a washing line. Im sure it is finished now and much better equipped. The town is at sea level on the pacific coast, which means that during these hotter months most people will either stay in the water for as long as possible, or stay in the hotels and resorts that have fresh air. Best Hostel In El Paredon Driftwood Surfer Hostel. Be sure to check the times with the two shuttle operators (NEWay and 2theOcean) to get the exact schedule. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. Read More: Guatemala Bucket List Best Things To Do In Guatemala. Here are the activities we recommend you check out: Perhaps the best thing to do in El Paredon is to go surfing. El Paredon off the beaten path. Theres always something going on! Other travel guides we know you will like: Global traveller @ste_marques shares with us the B, 5 DAY TRIPS FROM LISBON Whats It Like to Study Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala. I would love to stay here if I came back to El Paredon! 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. Of course, Guatemala has some of the most beautiful destinations in Central America, but none of them feel quite like El Paredon. They are a Guatemalann owned company that have painstakingly brought together all of the transport and tour options in one easy-to-use website. More Routes from Antigua Antigua to Lanqun Antigua to San Marcos la Laguna Antigua to Lake Atitlan Antigua to El Paredon A really wholesome tour exposing you to the abundance of Guatemala and the species that thrive within it. Hotel in El Paredn Buena Vista. So dont expect too much in terms of anything really! Often times you will be sitting on the beach and only be able to see so far because of the darkness of the sand reflecting. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. This was during peak season in January 2022. I highly recommend Paredon Surf House. The prices Im sure will have increased by now but I would have totally paid more to stay here. 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! To soak up and immerse ourselves in different languages, cultures, tastes and traditions. Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. El Paredon is located near the Sipacate-Naranjo National Park of mangrove forests. We got a recommendation from the owner of our hotel when visiting Semuc Champey. I dont care for that, so I just did day passes instead, which are 100% worth it! 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. Here, you'll find an expansive surfing beach that stretches along the town and for miles beyond it. Swell Guatemala (this seems to be the cool place to stay these days. 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. El Paredon, Guatemala El Paredon is an off-the-beaten-path destination located about a 2.5 hour drive from Antigua. More About Nina. I know Guatemala from the many volcanos and the beautiful Lake Atitlan. There are many surf schools and accommodations that offer surf lessons and a place to rent a surfboard if you dont have your own. La Choza Chula is a popular organization that empowers communities to build sustainable futures. Visit the turtle hatchery early in the morning to see turtles hatch and run to the ocean! 25 for a little surf hut, hammock out the front, outdoor shower and a 5-minute walk from the beach. La Choza Chula are a social enterprise and rely on donations/tour bookings to drive their mission another reason to book your adventures here! Not everywhere has WiFi. Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. Day passes are available if you want to use their pool and arent a guest. **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. The owner is a pretty cool guy). Most people, myself included, will head to the Pacific Coast to get their dose of saltwater whilst in Guatemala. Super cool chill spot with access to hammocks, pool, and hang-out area at the top of their main bungalow. I hope you can make it out this way when visiting this beautiful country. Hey, I am Sean Lau! Make sure not to go anywhere around town barefoot as most of the towns streets are made of this same sand, and there is only one major (paved) road that runs through the town. El Paredon is a surfing beach town located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the department of Escuintla. We were never disappointed. 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! The only company I recommend for booking transport and tours in Guatemala (other than the individuals and companies I have named) is GuateGo. Afterwards, enjoy the food with the local family! If you are looking for a romantic and unique experience in El Paredon, then consider horseback riding along the beach. El Paredon is more for backpackers, and though it is a little bit smaller, more of the locals speak English. Weather is perfect this time of year in El Paredon to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported. In fact, they only have two dry and wet seasons. El Paredon is a surfing beach town located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the department of Escuintla. Ive heard from several people that they really loved their stay here. The money will help run this site! 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. 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! 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. It was even kind of burning my feet when it got kicked into my flip flops. The surf here in winter, when the waves are at their best, are of decent size. Explore The Pacific Slope. This is a good, affordable place to learn how to surf for beginners. Another option is taking an Uber from Antigua, which is what I did and it was about $55. In fact, you might as well watch it every night! When you arrive here it feels so remote but that is why I fell in love with this place. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For the tourist bus, its around 125Q and you can either book through the accommodation you book to stay in El Paredon, or book through GuateGo. These cookies do not store any personal information. Rent a board and surf! El Paredon has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. If you would like to do watersports in El Paredon but dont want to surf, why not try stand-up paddleboarding? Like the one below. Also. Just 60 meters away from the beach, you can run to the waves straight from your villa's doorstep. Its a 2- 2.5-hour bus ride from Antigua to El Paredon and although Im normally an advocate of taking public transport its really not worth it. El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in El Paredon. I'm Nina, and I've been climbing volcanos, basking on exotic beaches, and dabbling in new cultures since 2011. The best option to rent a kayak is at El Paredon Surf Camp for 40 GTQ (5 USD) for three hours. When I visited I was super lucky to stumble upon the place as it wasnt online at all back then. The last option would be to take a taxi or Uber. Again, you can STAY at these hotels if you want, then you can get free access, but they are also kind of party places and most offer dorms as the budget accommodation. It has a stunning pool and comfortable accommodations ranging from shared rooms to private bungalows to private room with air conditioning. This small beach town is a hidden gem in Guatemala full of unique and entertaining experiences. Most accommodations will offer surf hire and surf lessons to guest and if they dont have the instructors / equipment themselves, they will be able to make arrangements for you. El Paredon Guatemala At A Glance El Paredon is a tinny town where you can literally walk its length in about 10 minutes! Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. If you'd like, you can also opt for a visit to the sleepy beach community of Monterrico for a special wildlife experience. If you love the beach and surfing, you could obviously stay for much longer! Youll spot all the local wildlife, from ibises to herons and turtles. RELATED: 7 Travel Shoes for Women That Are Functional AF. Like many Latin-American countries, Guatemala has unique national foods that will make your mouth water. Anything youd add? Alex provided a lot of information before . Book: Mellow Hostel | Driftwood Hostel | Cocori Lodge, RELATED: The Essential Beach Packing List (+ Fun Items and Tips!). a beach hut with no air conditioning.) Cabins and places to camp are offered at affordable prices, and lessons are offered for beginner surfers. Unless youre here to really take on the surf, you probably wont need more than 2-3 days. Monterrico is the more popular Guatemalan beach choice, as its much more built up, with more choice of places to stay. . There are various companies that offer shuttle services, either from Antigua or the airport. Finca El Zapote ofrece a sus visitantes cientos de actividades por hacer al aire libre, siendo un lugar paradisaco con vistas impresionantes. After a morning surf or if youre just waking up from last nights party, it is never a bad time to relax by the pool. For example, on the week of January 1st there are no days of precipitation on average. They give you the opportunity to experience the true Guatemalan way of life. The beach is BEST enjoyed first thing in the morning or at sunset. Nearby, youll find the Sipacate Naranjo National Park, a government-protected nature reserve that is home to a vast ecology of coastal plants and animals. Dont forget some of these hostels are total party spots so dont book your stay there unless its your vibe! The weather in El Paredon was great every single day I was there. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Not a single cloud in the sky so it was a perfect time to go for a swim. 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. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. Go for it! Due to its proximity to Antigua, it makes a great weekend trip. If you love the beach and surfing, then El Paredon is the perfect place for you. If youre looking to enhance your trip to the Pacific Coast, one of the best things to do in El Paredon is.. get local! If you take a tour or do an activity through La Choza Chula, your money will go back into the local community. Theres a bar and a restaurant if youre not a guest so you can always enjoy Driftwood without staying here. So if youre wanting a late lunch at 4pm you might struggle to find a place offering food at that time. Welcome to our guide to El Paredon, Guatemala! In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. there arent many options and many people book before arriving. 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!). Jokes aside - El Paredon is pretty safe. So drive safely and keep a watchful eye. Read below for more weather and travel details. Your options for beaches in Guatemala are pretty slim. 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. I'm Phillip, an adventure enthusiast from the U.S. traveling the world full time. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission atno extra cost to you! Yes, you should! Where are your favourite things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala? Described as one of the Top 10 Surf Destinations in the World by The Guardian, this little fishing village is only around 2 hours from the well-known colonial city of Antigua.It boasts some of the most spectacularly unspoilt stretches of black-sand beach, dusty village roads, and endlessly diverse mangrove forests. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. This advisory was last updated on Sep 09, 2019. 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. As there arent that many places if its full you will be sleeping on the beach as you wont be able to return to Antigua until the next day. Marchs average wind speed of around 3.6 knots (4.2 MPH or 6.7 KPH) is considered light air. Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early February where average top sustained speeds reach 13.8 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze. All rights reserved. There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. Shuttles leave twice a day. It is so hot that most people dont bask on the sandy beach during the day. Black sand beaches are very common in Guatemala, which makes them exotic. Since then the ownership has changed and it is now calledCasa Macano Surf-Yoga. Personally, it didnt seem like the best hostel to stay at when I visited it. This is a popular place to take a kayak or paddleboard to explore this area which is called the mangroves. That means you can use all 150q on drinks and food all day while using their facilities. Ive been surfing in many places around the world, including Ecuador, Morocco, Portugal, and Mexico. El Paredon is known as an up-and-coming destination ever since it caught the attention of many foreign surfers. Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. 7 Travel Shoes for Women That Are Functional AF. You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. This reserve, administered by Cecon (Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas de la Universidad de San Carlos), is Monterrico's biggest attraction. This is where we stayed and we loved it! The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. El Paredon lies on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, roughly two hours from Antigua and three hours from Guatemala City. Canadian Rockies Road TripAn Epic 1-Week Itinerary, 15 of The BEST Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala, Hi, friend! 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! One of their most popular activities is a homestay. Happy days! There are very few places to eat and not many hotels either. Locals and tourists visit El Paredon from Antigua to relax, unwind and take a break from the busy locations surrounding it. You're probably more likely to have your food taken from a hostel kitchen or your drink swiped at a weekend party. What Should You Pack For Guatemala? But seriously. Take the opportunity you have here to slow down, wander, breathe and admire mother nature doing her thing! Since I have to eat and drink because I am human it made it very worth it! I did the homework, so you dont have to. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month. Posted on Last updated: November 15, 2022. This is the place to do it. Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. It is only two hours away from Antigua Guatemala, so you can get there quickly. 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 category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. On average, it rains or snows a very small amount: 0 to 1 times per month. The sand becomes less hot which is also a great time to walk down the beach and explore. The least humid month is March (65.2% relative humidity), and the most humid month is October (80.3%). El Paredon Buena Vista, 05021 El Paredn Buena Vista, Guatemala - Great location - show map 7.5 Good 65 reviews Our stay was great value for our money. This is a very small beach town, dont just show up! If you decide to take a Chicken Bus from Antigua to El Paredon it will take you a whopping 6 hours! 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. See average monthly temperatures below. Many visitors will flock towards the sand to try to catch the last light of the day. Some people would recommend using the chicken bus, but Guatemalas public transport isnt the most reliable or safe. Thanks for stopping by my blog! El Paredon is different because the sand is actually dark. You dont really think about Guatemala having an amazing beach scene but it does. The windiest month is March, followed by April and February. Welcome to our guide to El Paredon, Guatemala! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All wind speeds are in knots. They have all the usuals, pool, food, bar, hammock hut on the beach and they often have parties and live music. Tourists are unlikely to visit El Paredon in October. The Surf House is a super cool place to stay (on the beachfront!) 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. It is a truly beautiful experience that you cant miss. 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 have a few extra days in Guatemala, El Paredon is definitely worth visiting. This is not the place you can go in the water and play around. With these amazing Guatemalan cooking experiences, youll get a chance to go to a local familys kitchen and learn how to prepare authentic Guatemalan dishes. Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. However, with that said, if you are the right person, you all have so much fun visiting this beach town! They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) There isnt much wifi anywhere in town but Mellow hostel would be your best bet for finding that. El Paredon is a quiet Pacific coastal town well-known for surfing and features a long, wild, unspoiled volcanic beach.

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