This time three weeks ago, Playa el Paredon a popular surf spot on Guatemala's remote Pacific coast would have been packed. Ive linked to the places on Booking.com but those not linked you will need to call to book. The way we experience weather isnt all about temperature. 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. Best Hostel In El Paredon Driftwood Surfer Hostel. By contrast, its most likely to rain or snow in early to mid October with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of October 8th. Follow your guide through Antigua's main square to learn about its colonial architecture and sleep under the shadow of Pacaya Volcano in its national park of the same name. This is not the place you can go in the water and play around. Mellow, Driftwood, and Cocori are totally awesome places to book while staying in El Paredon! Explore The Pacific Slope. The weather in El Paredon was great every single day I was there. 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. The only company I recommend for booking transport and tours in Guatemala (other than the individuals and companies I have named) is GuateGo. 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! However, with that said, if you are the right person, you all have so much fun visiting this beach town! It is a 2-hour drive from Antigua Guatemala, and a 3-hour drive from Guatemala City. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. Not many people will be swimming because of the rip currents and the big waves that rip through here. But this afternoon, the beach is deserted; there are no surfers catching barrels or carving up some of Central America's cleanest waves. Just 60 meters away from the beach, you can run to the waves straight from your villa's doorstep. 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. It will cost between $50 and $60 USD, You will not have to get on a boat when coming from Antigua. Though Guatemala does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety, El Paredon is very safe. La Choza Chula is a popular organization that empowers communities to build sustainable futures. 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. The community in El Paredon is very environmentally aware. The location is right on the beachfront but it was the same price as nicer hostels in my opinion. This means any day of the week, you can use the 100q you pay for entry towards food and drink. It has a pool (with a bar inside), a volleyball court outside, and pool tables. Wear shoes on the beach. Relaxing on the beach will give you the breather you need, you are still on vacation after all! Please see myDisclosurefor more details. We were never disappointed. It features an on-site restaurant serving some of the best food in El Paredon. Lisbon is alread, Brand new travel guide: A Guide To Planning Your W, Craving the coast? Be aware that the streets arent always well-maintained. The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its a wild feeling and very unique. El Paredon Guatemala - 13+ Cool Things To Do, Where To Stay & Eat Beyond the few hotels and their resturants, there is one conveniece shop, a few tiendas, a few resturants, and thats it. El Paredon, Guatemala, is a small and sleepy surf town. Of course, Guatemala has some of the most beautiful destinations in Central America, but none of them feel quite like El Paredon. So dont expect too much in terms of anything really! La Choza Chula offers homestays with local families. 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. In most hostels, you will have the opportunity of staying at a beachfront property for a great price. Shuttles leave twice a day. However, even though it is extremely well-known, this beach town maintains its laid-back, almost remote feeling. If you just speak to someone at our accommodation they will organize lessons for you. I also use Travel Insurance Master for some short vacation type trips as they are cheaper than World Nomads a lot of the time. 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 dry weather is what youre after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in El Paredon are January, December, and then March. I sat and watch for most of the day from my hammock surfers being thrown around. If you are doing shorter trips or a longer backpacking trip then WorldNomads or Travel Insurance Master are the best option. 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. 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! 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. 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. Fro. The sand is black volcanic sand, and it is boiling the majority of the day. The windiest month is March, followed by April and February. In fact, they only have two dry and wet seasons. Tourism data for this area is extrapolated based on nearby areas. Driftwood Surfer is by far the most popular hostel amongst backpackers. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. There can be a strong current and if you go too far out it might pull you in. Ive been surfing in many places around the world, including Ecuador, Morocco, Portugal, and Mexico. 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. The best thing about El Paredon is that there are always waves to surf. The best option to rent a kayak is at El Paredon Surf Camp for 40 GTQ (5 USD) for three hours. Everything is within walking distance so no need for transport to and from places. The Pacific Slope travel - Lonely Planet | Guatemala, Central America Quieres ganar 1 noche gratis en Hotel Kaana Surf en Playa el Paredn This tour involves hiking Volcan Acatenango where you will camp for the night then when you arrive back in Antigua they will organize all of your transport and accommodation as well as your surf lessons. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! El Paredon may not be at the top of everyones bucket lists for Guatemala but its certainly one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala and, if you have time, I highly recommend checking it out. June August is fairly slow season for tourism in El Paredon, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly less. When you arrive here it feels so remote but that is why I fell in love with this place. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. El Paredon is the spot to get your fix of saltwater and to soak up some beach life and surf lessons! Youll also get to admire some of the most gorgeous beachfront properties along the coastline here! If youre not a guest you can get a day pass for the pool and to chill out in the gorgeous setting. Relax in a hammock or the pool, and grab a bite to eat! Hotel in El Paredn Buena Vista. Take a cooking class and learn to make local dishes so you can recreate them at home! Playa El Paredn, Escuintla - Lugares tursticos de Escuintla, Guatemala If there are particular food or snacks you wish to bring with you, make sure you purchase them before your stay in El Paredon. Join our mailing list to get the latest updates!! At the end of the day, this is a quiet beach town and the main activity would be surfing, chilling, and partying. Bring a towel and your camera and enjoy the show that light ups the sky. You can book onto one of their tours or opt for kayak rental and explore for yourself. 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. I also. (47 reviews) "Exelent place to Relax" Reviewed on Jan 30, 2023 El Paredon is a surfing beach town located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the department of Escuintla. 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. Guatemala | Zoah Surf Hotel | El Paredon More Routes from Antigua Antigua to Lanqun Antigua to San Marcos la Laguna Antigua to Lake Atitlan Antigua to El Paredon The only difference between the two towns is that Monterrico has more resort-like properties and is more popular with Guatemalan tourists. Being a tropical country, Guatemala experiences rain for most of the year. After witnessing the force of the waves in Puerto Escondido, further up the coast, its safe to say you want to have an idea of what to expect before you book a surf trip! When they were open.. the food was amazing! El Paredon Swell The tranquil town of El Paredon is the perfect place for surfers and lovers of the ocean. Double-check before you go if the place youre staying has WiFi, and what people say about it. 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. 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. Posted on Published: December 21, 2021- Last updated: March 12, 2022. Thank you for reading my guide about El Paredon in Guatemala! The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in El Paredon (in). He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. Below I will explain multiple options when coming from Lake Atitlan and Antigua. Like many Latin-American countries, Guatemala has unique national foods that will make your mouth water. 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. Keep in mind that these services do not operate on the coast, so they wont be an option for your return. HomeContactWork With UsPrivacy PolicyArchive. As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings for Guatemala; exercise a high degree of caution. 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. If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. Set back just 5 minutes walk from the beachfront, Mellow Hostel also has a wonderful reputation as being somewhere social to stay but without the intense party vibes. 7 Things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala How magical is that!? The cost for this can end up being about the same as a shuttle, so thats really your best option. They are a local Not For Profit company who have done some great work in the local community building schools and libraries. Many people will flock to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, or the Mayan ruins. Cost During the week, its a 100q tab ($13), and on weekends its 150q ($20), but you only get a 100q towards your bar tab. 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. While I didnt see this hotel while I was in El Paredon, it looks like a really nice option. Its highly advised to book accommodation before arriving. Looking for more information about traveling in Guatemala? All rights reserved. Local experiences are why we travel! I would love to stay here if I came back to El Paredon! As Ive mentioned, El Paredon is small. You can expect the temperature to be between 32 and 34 Celsius, with nights being around the mid-twenties. 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.) One of the many things La Choza Chula offers is a Guatemalan cooking class. El Paredon - Guatemala's best kept secret! - YouTube El Paredon is an off-the-beaten-path destination located about a 2.5 hour drive from Antigua. 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! 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. You wont find any sight like it anywhere else. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Your options for beaches in Guatemala are pretty slim. Each year, during the months of September and December, the owners of Driftwood Surfer Hostel take care of The El Paredon Turtle Hatchery. If youre looking for another active activity thats not surfing, you can always go paddle-boarding in the river. Plus, it has an incredible nightlife thatll make your Guatemala trip memorable! It rains or snows a significant amount: 2 to 11 days per month. The cost of the shuttle is Q90 (about $12) each way to and from Antigua, and there are usually two departures daily. I was here for three days and it was MORE than enough time. Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. There are two main companies that have shuttles to El Paredon, NEWay or 2theOcean. 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 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. Finally, you can take the chicken bus from Antigua, but youll have to transfer twice and take a tuk-tuk. Like, Im not joking here, this sand is crazy. Other than this it is practically not worth grabbing your board to head out there, which is sad. Go to a local family home and learn to make the local salad, empanadas and tortillas. You can take a boat ride out to the feeding grounds to see them. I do hope it stays like this in some ways as it is being built up quite fast by the growing popularity. Many hostels in the area have pools but if yours doesnt then you can easily get a day pass. 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. 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. If you are a bit of an adventure junky then you could also book a Summit to Surf tour through OX Expeditions. There is a family-run laundry in town, but they do not have tumble dry. 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. You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. Some of the events that happen are beer pong tournaments and trivia nights. 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. For full information, please see my disclaimerhere. They also offer homestays, cooking classes, and more. I got the fish tacos which were amazing. If I were to go back, I would definitely just take the shuttle from Antigua. Nina helps people like you move around the world while making money. You will definitely want to wear shoes while walking on the beach, or risk burning your feet. And for that reason (youll see when you get there), its easy to see how it gets fully booked. Their mission is to create locally-driven projects that ensure the educational and environmental development of El Paredn and neighbouring communities. The Mellow hostel is a little bit pricier when compared to the other options in the area but for good reason. During the day, its best to observe from the safety of a hammock or a pool deck. There are no lifeguards on the beach, and swimming is pretty dangerous. 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. And those hippies that walk around beach towns barefooted regret all their life choices when they come here thinking they will do the same. We did walk around and eat out a couple of times. You can also email but remember the wifi isnt great there so it is always best to call. Since then, I have trekked through the Andes, tested my lungs at over 5,000 meters above sea level, encountered the worlds deadliest spider in the Amazon Rainforest, explored the worlds most catastrophic nuclear disaster. From surfing in its bright blue waters, to seeing sea turtles, or just relaxing in top-rated hotels, you wont get bored there. El Paredon is my favorite beach in Guatemala and just a short ride from Antigua. The restaurant moved since I went there and you can also stay in his guest house. Im sure it is finished now and much better equipped. Home | El Paredon Surf Camp 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. If 2020 taught us anything, its that you need to be prepared for anything! Guatemala Culture & Nature: Antigua to Lake Atitln - 11 Days The weather tends to be extremely hot and humid during March and April, but it cools down after sunset.