The ride here from Antigua is around 2 hours and 3 hours from Guatemala city. They also offer homestays, cooking classes, and more. This is where we stayed and we loved it! With the endless volcanic black sand beach and the consistent waves it is a perfect destination for all types of . Along with trendy and spacious rooms that offer the most comfortable sleep, there is nothing more you could want! Visitors can explore the unique environment by taking on a tour in a traditional wooden boat. Cabins and places to camp are offered at affordable prices, and lessons are offered for beginner surfers. Top Tip:Always book before you get there! As you walk along the black sandy shores, you encounter endless waves and breathtaking sunsets. Watching the sun rise and the sun set is one of the best things to do in El Paredon for sure. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. I picked one of the very last available when I booked (Sunrise Hostal) and it was perfect for what I was looking for. Not a single cloud in the sky so it was a perfect time to go for a swim. 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. ), Your Guide to Exploring Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. The complete tour will take approximately 2 hours if you stop several times to see the various species. Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. This isnt going to be a luxury beach getaway with perfect white sand. Jokes aside - El Paredon is pretty safe. As you make your way down, you can admire the flora and fauna of the mangroves. The beaches in El Paredon and Monterrico are very much alike. The sun gets extremely red and big. 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! We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The surf here in winter, when the waves are at their best, are of decent size. About 10 days before I visited El Paredon, there seemed to be reasonable availability on Airbnb / Booking.com but 6 days before? LivingOutLau is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. The Mellow hostel is a little bit pricier when compared to the other options in the area but for good reason. Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. With its close proximity to Lake Atitlan (3 hours) and Antigua (2 hours), it makes it great for weekend trips. El Paredon is the spot to get your fix of saltwater and to soak up some beach life and surf lessons! The best way to enjoy the lively atmosphere is to book a room with Driftwood Surfer and stay with them. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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! A lot smaller than Id imagined. If you're looking to experience an off-the-beaten path destination in Guatemala, look no further than El Paredon. The streets of El Paredn, Guatemala / Paredon Surf Club Facebook Page The beach is fronted by a line of small hotels and hostels. This time three weeks ago, Playa el Paredon a popular surf spot on Guatemala's remote Pacific coast would have been packed. If you're an independent surfer with a solid experience of surfing on green waves (the unbroken waves), you'll love it here! 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. The local families La Choza Chula work with are very warm and friendly and love to learn about the new cultures too. The lazy beach town isn't one that many people think to venture to when visiting Guatemala, as often popular tourist destinations like Tikal and Lake Atitlan fall further up on their lists.However, if you're looking for some beach time, and a destination that will show you a different side of . However, if you want to take on some of the waves with a board, it is a great place! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. You can choose to keep the fish to cook or donate some of the fish to the local families. There isnt much wifi anywhere in town but Mellow hostel would be your best bet for finding that. Is it Safe to Travel to El Paredon? Its highly advised to book accommodation before arriving. Here are the activities we recommend you check out: Perhaps the best thing to do in El Paredon is to go surfing. Hotel in El Paredn Buena Vista. 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. 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. There are some other cool activities in this area that you can do if those arent your thing. Theyve worked on building local libraries and schools. We mostly ate at our hostel (Cocori) and they had amazing food. the decoration of the property is beautiful, and the host is more than welcoming! Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. El Paredon, Guatemala, is a small and sleepy surf town. Again you can opt for a dorm room, beach shack or private room! This means any day of the week, you can use the 100q you pay for entry towards food and drink. If the sun is not out, it might take a day or two to get your clothes back. They are more expensive than the chicken bus but I believe safety is worth the cost, which is not outrageously high anyway. We guarantee youll make unforgettable memories during your stay in El Paredon. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! Thank you for reading my guide about El Paredon in Guatemala! Heres more information about the shuttles. There are multiple options on how to get to El Paredon, depending on where you are. You can also email but remember the wifi isnt great there so it is always best to call. One of the most important roles of El Paredon is the maintenance of the local sea turtle population. I know Guatemala from the many volcanos and the beautiful Lake Atitlan. 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. Make friends with the local dogs, roll out a towel, cover yourself in suncream and read your book! 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. 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. Wear shoes on the beach. 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? Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month. 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. Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. Depending how many people you have, this isnt too much more expensive than the shuttle and is more convenient. If you are looking for a luxurious beach getaway or a beach that you can bask on for hours and hours while being catered to, this is NOT the place to go! Also, this is pretty much the main thing to do here, as Ive mentioned. Solola, 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. Where is El Paredn? World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer. La Choza Chula are a social enterprise and rely on donations/tour bookings to drive their mission another reason to book your adventures here! El Paredon is my favorite beach in Guatemala and just a short ride from Antigua. 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. Many people will flock to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, or the Mayan ruins. Youll then stop off at a local salt farm where you can see the process of the natural salt extraction here in Guatemala. 10 journal prompts and ideas for you, 14 photos that will make you want to go to Finnish Lapland, The best things to do in Queensland, Australia, An open top car tour of Londons iconic landmarks and landscapes, The perfect winter getaway in a Shepherds Hut in Sussex, UK, The best things to do in the Dolomites, Italy, Gili Island life Saving the best for last, Stoneoven pizzas and cervezas at Olivias pizza (bottom left, duh), El Naranjo wildlife tour 2.5 hours, 250Q, Poza del Nance turtle tour 2 hours, 200Q. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. 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. El Paredon Guatemala surf spot is also suitable for intermediate surfers. 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. What a perfect way to end your trip here than to watch the amazing sunset this area has to offer. Shuttles leave twice a day. Unfortunately, there are a lot of riptides, and youll see signs scattered around the beach and all of the hotels warning you to be careful. Being a tropical country, Guatemala experiences rain for most of the year. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. As I mentioned before there isnt that much choice BUT its probably the best food Ive eaten in Guatemala and the cheapest. Average temperatures in El Paredon vary very little. So if you want to hammock it up along the coast, this is the spot. Unfortunately, I didnt confirm a booking before I went and ended up wandering down the beach looking for somewhere to stay! The accommodations here include glamping tents, bungalows, and private air-conditioned rooms. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If you buy something through the links on this page, youre helping me pay for my next adventureso, thank you for clicking! El Paredon, Guatemala, is a small and sleepy surf town. For as long I can remember I have had an appreciation and fascination for other cultures. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. So which spots have the best day passes? The money will help run this site! There are two main companies that have shuttles to El Paredon, NEWay or 2theOcean. This is a really magical experience, you head out during sunrise and on a clear day, youll see the 3 volcanoes. Dont get me wrong though, people still want to party here. You can expect the temperature to be between 32 and 34 Celsius, with nights being around the mid-twenties. The best time to visit El Paredon for the best surfing conditions is between November and April. They are a Guatemalann owned company that have painstakingly brought together all of the transport and tour options in one easy-to-use website. 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! Driftwood Surfer Hostel raises money each year to buy eggs from the poachers and donates them to the conservatory. Lisbon is alread, Brand new travel guide: A Guide To Planning Your W, Craving the coast? Alex provided a lot of information before . The beaches in Guatemala arent necessarily well-known, and most wont put these spots on their itinerary while exploring the country. Its a wild feeling and very unique. there arent many options and many people book before arriving. El Paredon consists of one main road with multiple shops on either side and smaller dirt roads around it. But other than that, this little surf town is a very peaceful place where nobody will harm you. Please see myDisclosurefor more details. The way we experience weather isnt all about temperature. Book your tour and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. This is me Living Out Loud(Lau). However, with that said, if you are the right person, you all have so much fun visiting this beach town! Nina Ragusa is an adventurer, messy bun master, breakfast fan, and full-time travel blogger. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Being such a small surf town, you really do feel removed from the chaos of the city and of the world. 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 At 34 I sold all my worldly possessions that wouldnt fit into 3 boxes or my backpack and hit the road. Tourists are unlikely to visit El Paredon in October. If you take a chicken bus, youll need to make multiple transfers or even take tuk-tuks. And those hippies that walk around beach towns barefooted regret all their life choices when they come here thinking they will do the same. It can be a bit pricier than other parts of Guatemala but that is due in part to the location. Despite its tiny size, the whole place feels like a different world, compared to the rest of the country. Reviewed March 3, 2022 . A couple of local places I loved in El Paredon were: There are these 3 little huts located just behind Pakalolo Heladeria Ice Cream. 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.). Unknown to most travelers, Guatemala's best kept secret is home to some of the country's top surfers. On this tour, you take a little boat into the mangroves with a local guide. It costs only $1 USD more than Driftwood Surfer but has a much bigger pool and a relaxing daytime vibe. In 2018, I left the comfort of my home and job in New York City to find out what truly inspires me. Due to its proximity to Antigua, it makes a great weekend trip. 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!). 7.8K me gusta,98 comentarios.Video de TikTok de Juls (@julsgoes): Quieres ganar 1 noche gratis en Hotel Kaana Surf en Playa el Paredn? Copyright 2023 Where in the World is Nina? Renee - SALES. When he told me it was only 100Q a night I couldnt give him my money quick enough! Im sure it is finished now and much better equipped. This is my complete travel guide to El Paredon, Guatemala. The cost of the shuttle from Panajachel to El Paredon costs around Q180. There is nothing like relaxing in a hammock in the afternoon while a breeze is cooling you off. ), However, there are several other activities in El Paredon too. And if this El Paredontravel guide doesnt, drop me a comment below and Ill update it 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. Welcome to our guide to El Paredon, Guatemala! for nearly as long. El Paredon is an off-the-beaten-path destination located about a 2.5 hour drive from Antigua. 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.) I traveled with four other girlfriends and had the best time. From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. The beaches of El Paredon have black sand, which gets extremely HOT in the sun (think walking on paved asphalt in the middle of the day.) When I visited I was super lucky to stumble upon the place as it wasnt online at all back then. Cost 150q ($20) access only; they do not have their day pass fees go towards a tab which is unfortunate. The only difference between the two towns is that Monterrico has more resort-like properties and is more popular with Guatemalan tourists. See the exact locations of these spots on theGuatemala Google Map Legend. A really wholesome tour exposing you to the abundance of Guatemala and the species that thrive within it. So if youre wanting a late lunch at 4pm you might struggle to find a place offering food at that time. Many surfers come during this time as it is also one of the best times to go out. Everything below is something I currently use and never leave my house without. What makes this small town so special, is the unique experiences it offers. The best things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala 1. If youre looking for another active activity thats not surfing, you can always go paddle-boarding in the river. Tourist busses from Antigua to el Paredon are faster and safer and more comfortable, which are three good reasons why you would want to use them. 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. 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! Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. Nesting is from June-November. Please see myDisclosurefor more details. So drive safely and keep a watchful eye. The least humid month is March (65.2% relative humidity), and the most humid month is October (80.3%). It is nice to walk along the water to see the other parts of the area and to truly see how remote you are. However, I used a day pass at a few of the hotels in the area, which was so much fun! It is a 2-hour drive from Antigua Guatemala, and a 3-hour drive from Guatemala City. It had literally all gone. 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 will certainly be the slowest and least pleasant. Every day, he is traveling and sharing his discoveries of the world through exceptional travel guides on his blog! You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. This is a non-profit tour company that is famous in El Paredon for its tours. If youre not an early riser the sunset is for you! Usually, a third-party shuttle runs daily from Antigua to El Paredn, and the prices are usually around Q110 per person. So take my advice if you are going to El Paredon, book to stay at Casa Macano Surf-Yoga! La Choza Chula is a non-profit that empowers locals by creating authentic experiences. I'm Nina, and I've been climbing volcanos, basking on exotic beaches, and dabbling in new cultures since 2011. Since I have to eat and drink because I am human it made it very worth it! 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. El Paredon is located near the Sipacate-Naranjo National Park of mangrove forests. 25 for a little surf hut, hammock out the front, outdoor shower and a 5-minute walk from the beach. 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! As mentioned earlier there arent that many places to stay in El Paredon (yet!). You can take these tours with them, and many of the accommodations I mention below also offer these tours through them. If you are looking for a romantic and unique experience in El Paredon, then consider horseback riding along the beach. There are shuttles leaving every day from the popular locations in Guatemala. 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. These spots are also where the parties will be if there are any. Explore Guatemala's mystical, mountainous, and volcanic landscapes on this tour, including hiking, biking, and boating. For full information, please see my disclaimerhere. Now, it is one of the most popular destinations for many tourists. 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. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. There are various companies that offer shuttle services, either from Antigua or the airport. World Nomads is great for incidents that happen prior to your trip, so if you get sick or are unable to travel due to travel restrictions some of their policies will cover that as cancellation cover. Take the opportunity you have here to slow down, wander, breathe and admire mother nature doing her thing! In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. I think thats the name anyway! I was here for three days and it was MORE than enough time. Keep in mind this town is mega small! Disclosure: Where in the World is Nina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, MileValue, 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. If you want to stay a little longer I would recommend speaking to La Choza Chula as they have plenty of volunteer opportunities. Additionally, if you visit between March and April, youll experience warmer weather. Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. Go for it! In fact, theyre an award-winning tour operator. See all of Mollies adventures and guides here. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Read More: Guatemala Bucket List Best Things To Do In Guatemala. Hammock Living. El Paredon is on Guatemala's Pacific coast. 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. El Paredon has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. Central America ; Guatemala ; Escuintla Department ; El Paredon ; El Paredon B&Bs / Inns ; Paredon Surf House; Search. In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. Before the world wakes up and before the heat of the sun rises, take the time to wander down to the beach and enjoy a meditation, podcast, surf session, walk or run. They have a pool, good food, and the best part is they are right on the beach with a hammock house on the sand. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced. Taxis and Uber are much more expensive than using one of the tourist shuttle services, so we dont recommend it unless you have no other choice. One of the many things La Choza Chula offers is a Guatemalan cooking class. You can chill at their pool (excellent since the beach sand has rough water and burning sand) and use their facilities. El Paredon off the beaten path. Visitors can take in the tropical atmosphere just by walking through the elegantly-designed hotel. Im not joking; this town is pretty desolate! based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). They are a local Not For Profit company who have done some great work in the local community building schools and libraries. El Paredon, Guatemala Weather stations report no annual snow. To start off, the design of the property is gorgeous. The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in El Paredon (in). This activity is one of my personal favorites. If you are doing shorter trips or a longer backpacking trip then WorldNomads or Travel Insurance Master are the best option. They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) 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. Youll learn how to prepare Guatemalan tortillas, empanadas, ticucas, and much more! Keep in mind that these services do not operate on the coast, so they wont be an option for your return. Black sand beaches are very common in Guatemala, which makes them exotic. Be sure to wear shoes as the sand gets extremely hot! If you would like to do watersports in El Paredon but dont want to surf, why not try stand-up paddleboarding? See average monthly temperatures below. It will cost between $50 and $60 USD, You will not have to get on a boat when coming from Antigua. You can take a boat ride out to the feeding grounds to see them. 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. Theres not really too much to do in El Paredon, considering its a tiny beach town made up of just one paved road and several small dirt roads. It is truly a quiet surf destination in an unlikely place. The last option would be to take a taxi or Uber. and a cool outdoor space including a pool, hammocks, and airy loft. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. Locals open their homes, so you can experience what it is like to live as they do! Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person. Youll get to see their heads pop up to breathe! It is possible to go straight from San Pedro La Laguna instead of meeting in Panajachel but this isnt suggested. If you are wanting to visit El Paredon then you must know there isnt a lot to do here. It rains or snows a significant amount: 2 to 11 days per month. 76 68. If you have a few extra days in Guatemala, El Paredon is definitely worth visiting. You can also rent a surfboard at almost any place you stay. When they were open.. the food was amazing! Also. Youre likely to either come from Antigua or at the least, youll have a stopover at Antigua to get here. Youll also get to admire some of the most gorgeous beachfront properties along the coastline here! One way to get to El Paredon is by shuttle. You will be given your own room, communal kitchen and bathroom and a communal area where you can chill on some hammocks. Its only 3 hours from Lake Atitlan or 2 hours from Antigua. Did you find this post helpful? Local experiences are why we travel! The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. And for that reason (youll see when you get there), its easy to see how it gets fully booked. If youre looking to enhance your trip to the Pacific Coast, one of the best things to do in El Paredon is.. get local! IM MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. Its better if you drive there or take a shuttle. The sky gets illuminated with all sorts of pinks, oranges, and reds, while the water will glisten with the last of the suns light. When can you find snow in El Paredon? Relax on the beach in El Paredon, cruise serene Lake Atitln, and visit one of Central America's . The black sand isnt ideal for sunbathing, so you wont find any parasols or lounge chairs unless you bring your own.