The beaches in El Paredon and Monterrico are very much alike. If you take a chicken bus, youll need to make multiple transfers or even take tuk-tuks. Whether youre an avid surfer, yogi, beach volleyballer or beach bum, I think we can all agree that getting to enjoy the sunrise and sunset light in one day is nothing short of a dream. And for that reason (youll see when you get there), its easy to see how it gets fully booked. Being such a small surf town, you really do feel removed from the chaos of the city and of the world. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. If there are particular food or snacks you wish to bring with you, make sure you purchase them before your stay in El Paredon. Not a single cloud in the sky so it was a perfect time to go for a swim. 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. Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. They are a Guatemalann owned company that have painstakingly brought together all of the transport and tour options in one easy-to-use website. I do hope it stays like this in some ways as it is being built up quite fast by the growing popularity. It is truly an extraordinary and magical experience. The best thing about El Paredon is that there are always waves to surf. Surf This is easily the most popular activity that people come to El Paredon to partake in. The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in El Paredon. Im sure it is finished now and much better equipped. Wear shoes on the beach. 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. It has a pool (with a bar inside), a volleyball court outside, and pool tables. Watching the sun rise and the sun set is one of the best things to do in El Paredon for sure. You dont really think about Guatemala having an amazing beach scene but it does. Just be careful when swimming in the ocean. For as long I can remember I have had an appreciation and fascination for other cultures. The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots. 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. Not many people will be swimming because of the rip currents and the big waves that rip through here. 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 . El Paredon consists of one main road with multiple shops on either side and smaller dirt roads around it. The sand becomes less hot which is also a great time to walk down the beach and explore. If you take a tour or do an activity through La Choza Chula, your money will go back into the local community. Dont get me wrong though, people still want to party here. There are two main companies that have shuttles to El Paredon, NEWay or 2theOcean. You're probably more likely to have your food taken from a hostel kitchen or your drink swiped at a weekend party. One way to get to El Paredon is by shuttle. One of their most popular activities is a homestay. Im not joking; this town is pretty desolate! The town has long been a weekend retreat for locals seeking an escape from the commotion of Guatemala City and expats living in Antigua. the decoration of the property is beautiful, and the host is more than welcoming! She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! You can expect the temperature to be between 32 and 34 Celsius, with nights being around the mid-twenties. Some of the events that happen are beer pong tournaments and trivia nights. I would recommend coming here and getting a class instead of going alone unless you have a decent amount of experience. The Surf House is a super cool place to stay (on the beachfront!) 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. With its close proximity to Lake Atitlan (3 hours) and Antigua (2 hours), it makes it great for weekend trips. Here, guests can experience the magic of baby turtles hatching and running into the sea. In fact, you might as well watch it every night! There isnt much wifi anywhere in town but Mellow hostel would be your best bet for finding that. Since then the ownership has changed and it is now calledCasa Macano Surf-Yoga. Bring a towel and your camera and enjoy the show that light ups the sky. The accommodations are varied, something for almost every . Two reputable organizations are El Paredon Surf Camp School El Paredon Surfing School (not online) and Pacifico Tours (not online). As a small, sleepy town, crime is really minimal. This is where we stayed and we loved it! 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! People come from all around to flock to the beach and watch one of the best sunsets in the whole country. The majority of people that come in here are coming for the surf. Woman in charge ignores safety issue - Paredon Surf House. This Guatemalan beach isnt like the ones youre used to. If youre not an early riser the sunset is for you! The owner is a pretty cool guy). 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! Kayak the mangroves to the left of the town. Where is El Paredn? Hammock Living. This is the place to do it. Ive linked to the places on Booking.com but those not linked you will need to call to book. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. 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. There are so many Airbnbs to choose from in El Paredon. Fro. Book your tour and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. Relax on the beach in El Paredon, cruise serene Lake Atitln, and visit one of Central America's . El Paredon Guatemala surf spot is also suitable for intermediate surfers. The seafood there is a must-try. So El Paredon is small. There are very few places to eat and not many hotels either. One of the best things about Guatemala is its delicious cuisine. They have a pool, good food, and the best part is they are right on the beach with a hammock house on the sand. If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. El Paredon is an up-and-coming destination in Guatemala. 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! Youre likely to either come from Antigua or at the least, youll have a stopover at Antigua to get here. This time three weeks ago, Playa el Paredon a popular surf spot on Guatemala's remote Pacific coast would have been packed. You will definitely want to wear shoes while walking on the beach, or risk burning your feet. Instead, the easiest and still reasonably priced way to get here is to just book a shuttle! Categories Central America, Destinations, Guatemala, Why You NEED To Do A Tikal Tour In Guatemala. Weather is perfect this time of year in El Paredon to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. 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. Remember, they have a bit more of a party vibe going on, though, so as long as you know that and thats what you want, youll be right there in the action. The busiest month for tourism in El Paredon, Guatemala is February, followed by January and April. Driftwood is the place everyone talks about but I didnt see the WOW factor myself. 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! About 10 days before I visited El Paredon, there seemed to be reasonable availability on Airbnb / Booking.com but 6 days before? Its also located directly on the beach. 17 Adventurous Things To Do in Guatemala + Tips For Your Visit! He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. The WiFi at Mellow Hostel works very well, but I heard it can be not so great at other places. Your options are Thai Curry, Indian Curry or Noodles. Its location couldnt be any more central or conveniently located on the beachfront. The weather in El Paredon was great every single day I was there. They give you the opportunity to experience the true Guatemalan way of life. During the hottest part of the day, theres no better way to cool down than relaxing by the pool. Unfortunately, I didnt confirm a booking before I went and ended up wandering down the beach looking for somewhere to stay! Most of them are hostels and the accommodations can be very rustic (i.e. If you are looking for things to do in El Paredon at night, then make sure you head to Drift Surfer, the towns most famous beach hostel. 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! I saw many of the same people night after night, which made this town seem very close-knit. They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) It costs only $1 USD more than Driftwood Surfer but has a much bigger pool and a relaxing daytime vibe. 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. Each year, during the months of September and December, the owners of Driftwood Surfer Hostel take care of The El Paredon Turtle Hatchery. Canadian Rockies Road TripAn Epic 1-Week Itinerary, 15 of The BEST Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala, Hi, friend! There arent a ton of restaurants, coffee shops, or hotels in the area. Shuttles depart El Paredon twice a day, around 9 AM and 2 PM. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Top Tip:Always book before you get there! 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. Depending on when you come to El Paredon, there wont be a ton of restaurants that you are used to having. El Paredon off the beaten path. The sky gets illuminated with all sorts of pinks, oranges, and reds, while the water will glisten with the last of the suns light. The local families La Choza Chula work with are very warm and friendly and love to learn about the new cultures too. This means any day of the week, you can use the 100q you pay for entry towards food and drink. El Paredon is a quiet Pacific coastal town well-known for surfing and features a long, wild, unspoiled volcanic beach. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. So take my advice if you are going to El Paredon, book to stay at Casa Macano Surf-Yoga! To start off, the design of the property is gorgeous. The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in El Paredon (in). I'm Nina, and I've been climbing volcanos, basking on exotic beaches, and dabbling in new cultures since 2011. The cost of the shuttle is Q90 (about $12) each way to and from Antigua, and there are usually two departures daily. There is nothing like relaxing in a hammock in the afternoon while a breeze is cooling you off. Did I forget to mention its location just a few minutes walk from the beach? The weather tends to be extremely hot and humid during March and April, but it cools down after sunset. However, the beach really comes to life when sunset approaches. And those hippies that walk around beach towns barefooted regret all their life choices when they come here thinking they will do the same. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies.