Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. 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. The surf here in winter, when the waves are at their best, are of decent size. There are various companies that offer shuttle services, either from Antigua or the airport. You can book a tour through La Choza Chula. I would suggest a minimum of 2 nights so you can take the time to relax as well as get a surf lesson and go turtle watching! If you buy something through the links on this page, youre helping me pay for my next adventureso, thank you for clicking! Tourists are unlikely to visit El Paredon in October. This is a very small beach town, dont just show up! The busiest month for tourism in El Paredon, Guatemala is February, followed by January and April. How magical is that!? So El Paredon is small. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Located in El Paredn Buena Vista, a 3-minute walk from El Paredon Beach, Casa Zala has accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge. Weather is perfect this time of year in El Paredon to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. It is among the most popular destinations in the country due to its friendly locals, stunning landscape, and laid-back atmosphere. They are a local Not For Profit company who have done some great work in the local community building schools and libraries. If 2020 taught us anything, its that you need to be prepared for anything! Ive linked to the places on Booking.com but those not linked you will need to call to book. I couldnt work out which ones were open and when, it was kind of pot luck turning up and seeing if they were open! Its only 3 hours from Lake Atitlan or 2 hours from Antigua. there arent many options and many people book before arriving. The restaurant moved since I went there and you can also stay in his guest house. The 20km. Amplios jardines, lagunas, columpios, paseos a caballo, tours planificados, piscinas, nacimientos de agua y mucho ms. You can opt for a private room or dorms here. Although it had only just opened and was still a work in progress you can see the potential. So if youre wanting a late lunch at 4pm you might struggle to find a place offering food at that time. Book: Mellow Hostel | Driftwood Hostel | Cocori Lodge, RELATED: The Essential Beach Packing List (+ Fun Items and Tips!). If youre looking for another active activity thats not surfing, you can always go paddle-boarding in the river. This hostel not only has a lively atmosphere for backpackers traveling in Guatemala, but it has lots of facilities that will make you stay comfortable. Most people, myself included, will head to the Pacific Coast to get their dose of saltwater whilst in Guatemala. 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! RELATED: 15 of The BEST Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala. It had literally all gone. The area is less temperate than some in the 17th percentile for pleasant weather compared to tourist destinations worldwide. This is easily the most popular activity that people come to El Paredon to partake in. A couple of local places I loved in El Paredon were: There are these 3 little huts located just behind Pakalolo Heladeria Ice Cream. Before or after the midday sun, take a stroll along the beach and soak up the tranquillity of El Paredon. The best option to rent a kayak is at El Paredon Surf Camp for 40 GTQ (5 USD) for three hours. and a cool outdoor space including a pool, hammocks, and airy loft. This is a good, affordable place to learn how to surf for beginners. 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. Heres more information about the shuttles. Learn more. El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Just lay down, enjoy some coconut water, and listen to the calming sound of the crashing waves. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! They will at the least have drinks going all day and often have DJs mid-day and well into the night, live music, and other events. If you have a few extra days in Guatemala, El Paredon is definitely worth visiting. I picked one of the very last available when I booked (Sunrise Hostal) and it was perfect for what I was looking for. 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. These times of year are the busiest with tourists. 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 will get you to El Paredon in no time and even pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. El Paredon is on Guatemala's Pacific coast. 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? There are plenty of restaurants in El Paredon, but the local shops have a limited inventory. I know Guatemala from the many volcanos and the beautiful Lake Atitlan. 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. If you leave from San Pedro, the shuttle will first go to Antigua then El Paredon whereas leaving from Panajachel is a straight shot. This is due to volcanic activity. El Paredon is a surfing beach town located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the department of Escuintla. Kayak the mangroves to the left of the town. If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. La Choza Chula offers homestays with local families. Youll learn how to prepare Guatemalan tortillas, empanadas, ticucas, and much more! One of those times we stopped at Zicatela and we loved it. The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in 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. In 2018, I left the comfort of my home and job in New York City to find out what truly inspires me. 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. Whether you are a big surfer or looking to relax for a few days, I highly suggest coming here. El Paredon is my favorite beach in Guatemala and just a short ride from Antigua. 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! The tranquil town of El Paredon is the perfect place for surfers and lovers of the ocean. 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. On this tour, you take a little boat into the mangroves with a local guide. Many people will flock to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, or the Mayan ruins. There are no lifeguards on the beach, and swimming is pretty dangerous. If you are a bit of an adventure junky then you could also book a Summit to Surf tour through OX Expeditions. I am certainly no stranger to adventure, outward and within. Your Perfect Guatemala Itinerary: 1-3 Weeks + Tips! The restaurant moved since I went there and you can also stay in, I think thats the name anyway! It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. If you decide to take a Chicken Bus from Antigua to El Paredon it will take you a whopping 6 hours! The sun gets extremely red and big. To soak up and immerse ourselves in different languages, cultures, tastes and traditions. 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. I went to all of them, and the first two were my favorite only because you pay, and have it can go towards a tab. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. It is a truly beautiful experience that you cant miss. Additionally, they organize tours for all visitors. Other than this it is practically not worth grabbing your board to head out there, which is sad. 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 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. Unfortunately, I didnt confirm a booking before I went and ended up wandering down the beach looking for somewhere to stay! If there are particular food or snacks you wish to bring with you, make sure you purchase them before your stay in El Paredon. There are quite a few places to stay in El Paredon. Did I forget to mention its location just a few minutes walk from the beach? Just keep in mind there are no Ubers in El Paredon to bring you back to Antigua. There are only about 5 places to stay there (a few more options and it is growing) If you want to surf in Guatemala you need to either go early in the morning or after 5 pm There is little to no wifi in El Paredon You can book onto one of their tours or opt for kayak rental and explore for yourself. Its the most affordable way to eat and 2. you get the local experience. Bring a towel and your camera and enjoy the show that light ups the sky. But it is further away from Antigua and I decided on El Paredon because it was much less built up and more tranquilo! 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.) The Surf House is a super cool place to stay (on the beachfront!) Here you can find tours with a guide leading the horse, or you can ride by yourself. Many come here to relax, surf, or party as there are honestly not many other choices! If you are going to eat fish in, The owner Garry is really friendly and knows how to make some great food! Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. They offer authentic and unique experiences in El Paredon. If youre not a guest you can get a day pass for the pool and to chill out in the gorgeous setting. The ride here from Antigua is around 2 hours and 3 hours from Guatemala city. If you take a chicken bus, youll need to make multiple transfers or even take tuk-tuks. About 10 days before I visited El Paredon, there seemed to be reasonable availability on Airbnb / Booking.com but 6 days before? Book your experience and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. As a small, sleepy town, crime is really minimal. But other than that, this little surf town is a very peaceful place where nobody will harm you. Visit the turtle hatchery early in the morning to see turtles hatch and run to the ocean! Support local businesses. Wear shoes on the beach. I hope you can make it out this way when visiting this beautiful country. Their tours provide an alternative income stream for many of the locals. You might also like: Acatenango Volcano Hike - The ultimate 2 day adventure in Guatemala Several places in the town offer horseback riding, but the most famous of which is Driftwood Surfer Hostel. 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. The weather tends to be extremely hot and humid during March and April, but it cools down after sunset. El Paredon is the spot to get your fix of saltwater and to soak up some beach life and surf lessons! 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. Many visitors will flock towards the sand to try to catch the last light of the day. From surfing in its bright blue waters, to seeing sea turtles, or just relaxing in top-rated hotels, you wont get bored there. There is also an unexpected sight to behold here in the form of a Thai restaurant, Soul Food Kitchen . If youre planning a trip to El Paredon and are looking for how to get to El Paredon, where to stay in El Paredon, where to eat in El Paredonand what do to in El Paredon, this El Paredontravel guide will answer all of your questions. This small beach town is a hidden gem in Guatemala full of unique and entertaining experiences. The beaches in El Paredon and Monterrico are very much alike. We did walk around and eat out a couple of times. 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. 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. It is a 2-hour drive from Antigua Guatemala, and a 3-hour drive from Guatemala City. June August is fairly slow season for tourism in El Paredon, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly less. So these are the spots offering day passes. More About Nina. You can see turtles feeding year-round in El Paredon (and depending on the season, you might even be able to watch them hatch!) El Paredon is an off-the-beaten-path destination located about a 2.5 hour drive from Antigua. Unlike many other surf towns in Central America, El Paredon is a very quiet one. For full information, please see my disclaimerhere. Founder of Wheres Mollie / We Are Global Travellers, content creator, photographer and videographer. Id love you to share it for me. The last option would be to take a taxi or Uber. Join our mailing list to get the latest updates!! Locals and tourists visit El Paredon from Antigua to relax, unwind and take a break from the busy locations surrounding it. There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. Highs range from 94.6F (34.8C) and 89.3F (31.8C) with similar temperatures in the later months. The weather in El Paredon was great every single day I was there. Unless youre here to really take on the surf, you probably wont need more than 2-3 days. 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. This is a popular place to take a kayak or paddleboard to explore this area which is called the mangroves. Your options for beaches in Guatemala are pretty slim. Posted on Last updated: November 15, 2022. The best way to enjoy the lively atmosphere is to book a room with Driftwood Surfer and stay with them. Watching the sun rise and the sun set is one of the best things to do in El Paredon for sure. Is it Safe to Travel to El Paredon? El Paredon has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. If you want the cheapest way, youll be riding on the chicken bus and in that case, it will take around four hours to get here as youll have tons of stops along the way. The best thing about El Paredon is that there are always waves to surf. The small town is home to a small population, which means that no crime goes unnoticed. El Paredon Guatemala At A Glance El Paredon is a tinny town where you can literally walk its length in about 10 minutes! During the hottest part of the day, theres no better way to cool down than relaxing by the pool. This is me Living Out Loud(Lau). Depending on when you come to El Paredon, there wont be a ton of restaurants that you are used to having. Shuttles leave twice a day. IM MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. During the day, most people prefer to spend their time in the water. 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. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. LivingOutLau is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. 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. Driftwood Surfer is by far the most popular hostel amongst backpackers. Ive been surfing in many places around the world, including Ecuador, Morocco, Portugal, and Mexico. 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. Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Here are the best things to do. 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. For 120 quezales($15), I had a private one-hour lesson with Bagley. But there are also some nicer hotels and hostels if youre looking for something a little more comfortable. In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. Here are some of the best places to stay in El Paredon: This is one of the nicest hotels in El Paredon, yet it is still very affordable. Driftwood is the popular hostel I mentioned at the beginning of this El Paredon travel guide. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. So dont expect too much in terms of anything really! 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. This actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise as whilst wandering down the beach I stumbled upon Casa Macano Surf-Yoga. 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. 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. This Guatemalan beach isnt like the ones youre used to. 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! I dont care for that, so I just did day passes instead, which are 100% worth it! RELATED: 17 Adventurous Things To Do in Guatemala + Tips For Your Visit! The Essential Beach Packing List (+ Fun Items and Tips! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Guatemala Bucket List Best Things To Do In Guatemala. Beyond the few hotels and their resturants, there is one conveniece shop, a few tiendas, a few resturants, and thats it. Be sure to wear shoes as the sand gets extremely hot! Anything youd add? Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds.
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