There are quite a few places to stay in El Paredon. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. 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. Additionally, if you visit between March and April, youll experience warmer weather. It is truly a quiet surf destination in an unlikely place. Day passes are available if you want to use their pool and arent a guest. Since I have to eat and drink because I am human it made it very worth it! It features an on-site restaurant serving some of the best food in El Paredon. I stayed here for 4 nights back in March and it was a nice way to end our time in Guatemala. 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! The Mellow hostel is a little bit pricier when compared to the other options in the area but for good reason. These spots are also where the parties will be if there are any. People come from all around to flock to the beach and watch one of the best sunsets in the whole country. Theyve worked on building local libraries and schools. 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. The local families La Choza Chula work with are very warm and friendly and love to learn about the new cultures too. 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. The sky gets illuminated with all sorts of pinks, oranges, and reds, while the water will glisten with the last of the suns light. Start your day with some movement and connection to self before the world gets its hands you! One of the best things about Guatemala is its delicious cuisine. There are multiple options on how to get to El Paredon, depending on where you are. I highly recommend Paredon Surf House. Relaxing on the beach will give you the breather you need, you are still on vacation after all! Like many Latin-American countries, Guatemala has unique national foods that will make your mouth water. El Paredon might not be known for its extravagant hotels, but Kaan Surf can satisfy some of your modern needs. 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. Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. Youll get to experience a glimpse of how the local families here in El Paredon live and get to know more about the local culture here. Now, it is one of the most popular destinations for many tourists. When he told me it was only 100Q a night I couldnt give him my money quick enough! Here, you'll find an expansive surfing beach that stretches along the town and for miles beyond it. You can enjoy the sunset AND the sunrise from the same spot on El Paredon beach. 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! Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do. Booking a tour is easy, and youll get a tour guide that will paddle you through the stunning mangrove estuaries of the National Park. Locals and tourists visit El Paredon from Antigua to relax, unwind and take a break from the busy locations surrounding it. In this guide, well tell you everything you need to know about this amazing destination, so youll be ready for your visit. And What Not To Pack? You will be given your own room, communal kitchen and bathroom and a communal area where you can chill on some hammocks. One of the most exciting attractions in El Paredon is the nearby mangroves in Sipacate Naranjo National Park. The Surf House is a super cool place to stay (on the beachfront!) Additionally, they organize tours for all visitors. This is a really magical experience, you head out during sunrise and on a clear day, youll see the 3 volcanoes. Along with trendy and spacious rooms that offer the most comfortable sleep, there is nothing more you could want! Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot all year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. There is a family-run laundry in town, but they do not have tumble dry. Claires Itchy Feet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. One of those times we stopped at Zicatela and we loved it. Unlike many other surf towns in Central America, El Paredon is a very quiet one. In fact, theyre an award-winning tour operator. El Paredon lies on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, roughly two hours from Antigua and three hours from Guatemala City. El Paredon is the spot to get your fix of saltwater and to soak up some beach life and surf lessons! PeruRomaniaColombiaGuatemalaHong KongMalaysia. So make sure that you know what youre doing or go out with a surf camp. If you are going to eat fish in Guatemala, this is the place to do it! If the sun is not out, it might take a day or two to get your clothes back. The accommodations are varied, something for almost every . The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. 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. If you are a digital nomad or planning travel of at least 6 months then go for SafetyWing. Not many people will be swimming because of the rip currents and the big waves that rip through here. Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. This makes El Paredon one of the best places in Guatemala to go surfing. This is where we stayed and we loved it! The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. It is possible to go straight from San Pedro La Laguna instead of meeting in Panajachel but this isnt suggested. If you just speak to someone at our accommodation they will organize lessons for you. Tourism data for this area is extrapolated based on nearby areas. At 34 I sold all my worldly possessions that wouldnt fit into 3 boxes or my backpack and hit the road. 76 68. 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. Finally, you can take the chicken bus from Antigua, but youll have to transfer twice and take a tuk-tuk. Not a single cloud in the sky so it was a perfect time to go for a swim. 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. ), Your Guide to Exploring Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. 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! All rights reserved. Please see myDisclosurefor more details. Its known for being an up-and-coming destination thats popular with surfers and beach bums. One of the main spots to hang out! If you are wanting to visit El Paredon then you must know there isnt a lot to do here. 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. Message your host / accommodation ahead of time to arrange. Its a wild feeling and very unique. 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. 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! There are shuttles leaving every day from the popular locations in Guatemala. La Choza Chula has even more activities that are worth checking out, so make sure to head their way during your stay in El Paredon, Guatemala. 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.) Although it had only just opened and was still a work in progress you can see the potential. 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! So if you want my advice to give Monterrico a miss and head to El Paredon quickly before everyone else realizes just how good it really is! In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! If you would like to do watersports in El Paredon but dont want to surf, why not try stand-up paddleboarding? Cost 150q ($20) access only; they do not have their day pass fees go towards a tab which is unfortunate. I did the homework, so you dont have to. The best time to visit El Paredon, Guatemala is during the countrys dry season. 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. There are very few places to eat and not many hotels either. If you love the beach and surfing, then El Paredon is the perfect place for you. The cost for this can end up being about the same as a shuttle, so thats really your best option. However, if you want to take on some of the waves with a board, it is a great place! Watching the sun rise and the sun set is one of the best things to do in El Paredon for sure. 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. It is one of the best surfing spots in Guatemala, and though you might not be able to do a lot of swimming, the black sand beaches are an incredible sight. Its the most affordable way to eat and 2. you get the local experience. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. Fall daily highs range from 90.8F (32.7C) and 88.1F (31.2C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. The money will help run this site! We got a recommendation from the owner of our hotel when visiting Semuc Champey. Black sand beaches are very common in Guatemala, which makes them exotic. My goal is to help others find the experience they want out of life and to show them how to achieve it. **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. Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. If 2020 taught us anything, its that you need to be prepared for anything! From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. 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. El Paredon is super sleepy and honestly can be explored in about an hour of walking around the town. The Essential Beach Packing List (+ Fun Items and Tips! The beaches in Guatemala arent necessarily well-known, and most wont put these spots on their itinerary while exploring the country. If I were to go back, I would definitely just take the shuttle from Antigua. Many hotels offer classes and equipment at affordable prices, so you dont have to worry about being inexperienced. In most hostels, you will have the opportunity of staying at a beachfront property for a great price. Located a few streets behind the main area is a river that is surrounded by trees. Eating local is one of my favourite things to do in Guatemala and is one of the best things to do in El Paredon because 1. 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. When I visited here this place was actually called Finka Mistia. 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. If youre looking for the very warmest time to visit El Paredon, the hottest months are April, May, and then July. Theres always something going on! The windiest month is March, followed by April and February. However, I used a day pass at a few of the hotels in the area, which was so much fun! Read More: What Should You Pack For Guatemala? It is among the most popular destinations in the country due to its friendly locals, stunning landscape, and laid-back atmosphere. Its highly advised to book accommodation before arriving. On this tour, you take a little boat into the mangroves with a local guide. If you love the beach and surfing, you could obviously stay for much longer! If you're looking to experience an off-the-beaten path destination in Guatemala, look no further than El Paredon. 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. Some of these days passes even come with drink vouchers. But it is further away from Antigua and I decided on El Paredon because it was much less built up and more tranquilo! Alex provided a lot of information before . As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings for Guatemala; exercise a high degree of caution. Jokes aside - El Paredon is pretty safe. Amplios jardines, lagunas, columpios, paseos a caballo, tours planificados, piscinas, nacimientos de agua y mucho ms. REMINDER: Never walk around barefoot, the black sand is incredibly hot! Nowhere is 100% safe, all of the time. The dorm rooms arent bunk beds which I see as a huge plus. The streets of El Paredn, Guatemala / Paredon Surf Club Facebook Page The beach is fronted by a line of small hotels and hostels. There arent a ton of restaurants, coffee shops, or hotels in the area. Granted its not always like that, but still, issue caution when heading out.