El Paredon is different because the sand is actually dark. Watching the sun rise and the sun set is one of the best things to do in El Paredon for sure. El Paredon is super sleepy and honestly can be explored in about an hour of walking around the town. You can book transport in Guatemala with them here and Guatemalan tours with them here. The location is right on the beachfront but it was the same price as nicer hostels in my opinion. And for that reason (youll see when you get there), its easy to see how it gets fully booked. Dont get me wrong though, people still want to party here. One of the most important roles of El Paredon is the maintenance of the local sea turtle population. When they were open.. the food was amazing! The tranquil town of El Paredon is the perfect place for surfers and lovers of the ocean. Two reputable organizations are El Paredon Surf Camp School El Paredon Surfing School (not online) and Pacifico Tours (not online). 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. Disclosure: Where in the World is Nina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program 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. This is due to volcanic activity. 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. RELATED: Your Perfect Guatemala Itinerary: 1-3 Weeks + Tips! 7 Travel Shoes for Women That Are Functional AF. This reserve, administered by Cecon (Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas de la Universidad de San Carlos), is Monterrico's biggest attraction. However, with that said, if you are the right person, you all have so much fun visiting this beach town! Weather is perfect this time of year in El Paredon to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. El Paredon is located near the Sipacate-Naranjo National Park of mangrove forests. I'm Phillip, an adventure enthusiast from the U.S. traveling the world full time. Mellow Hostel is a newly-opened hostel with delicious food (my lunch here was one of the best meals I had in Guatemala!) We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the pool and intermittently walked to the beach Anahi United States of America 9.3 Nights in El Paredon can be relaxing, but when the weekend comes around, the town comes to life with beach bonfires, live music at Cocor Lodge, and drinking games at the Driftwood Surfer. This time three weeks ago, Playa el Paredon a popular surf spot on Guatemala's remote Pacific coast would have been packed. If youre looking to enhance your trip to the Pacific Coast, one of the best things to do in El Paredon is.. get local! Keep in mind parties, surf, and chilling in pools are pretty much the main things to do here and not much else. The town has long been a weekend retreat for locals seeking an escape from the commotion of Guatemala City and expats living in Antigua. So El Paredon is small. 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! As Ive mentioned, El Paredon is small. How magical is that!? One way to get to El Paredon is by shuttle. Bring a towel and your camera and enjoy the show that light ups the sky. 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 thrive in nature, with nature and by recognising my true nature in the midst of it all. We got a recommendation from the owner of our hotel when visiting Semuc Champey. 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! Explore Guatemala's mystical, mountainous, and volcanic landscapes on this tour, including hiking, biking, and boating. El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. When I visited here this place was actually called Finka Mistia. Additionally, they organize tours for all visitors. 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 World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer. Being a tropical country, Guatemala experiences rain for most of the year. IM MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 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. Since then the ownership has changed and it is now called, After being turned away by most of the other places in, As I mentioned before there isnt that much choice BUT its probably the best food Ive eaten in, This is a popular local food place that serves some really great fish! I dont care for that, so I just did day passes instead, which are 100% worth it! The best time to visit El Paredon for the best surfing conditions is between November and April. Anything youd add? There are some good spots along the beachfront where you can set it up. If youve rented a car, then you can easily drive there. This is a non-profit tour company that is famous in El Paredon for its tours. Hold your shoes, dont leave them somewhere! More About Nina. Like, Im not joking here, this sand is crazy. The average high during this season is between 92.8F (33.8C) and 90.2F (32.3C). ID LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WEVE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN! The Mellow hostel is a little bit pricier when compared to the other options in the area but for good reason. Some of the events that happen are beer pong tournaments and trivia nights. Monterrico is the more popular Guatemalan beach choice, as its much more built up, with more choice of places to stay. Book your tour and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. It is accessible via two different routes, either coming via land or via boat, travelling down the canal until you arrive at the community from the Sipacate side. This tour takes you on a boat with a local guide. 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. Just be careful when swimming in the ocean. Nowhere is 100% safe, all of the time. Im sure it is finished now and much better equipped. If Id have had more time, Id have loved to have joined this tour and explored the mangroves and wildlife up close and personal! I've worked abroad and remotely to support my adventure travel addiction, and now I'm sharing all my travel hacks, travel job opportunities, and ways you can travel longer! Visitors can take in the tropical atmosphere just by walking through the elegantly-designed hotel. Many hostels in the area have pools but if yours doesnt then you can easily get a day pass. Unlike many other surf towns in Central America, El Paredon is a very quiet one. There are many surf schools and accommodations that offer surf lessons and a place to rent a surfboard if you dont have your own. **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. 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. Double-check before you go if the place youre staying has WiFi, and what people say about it. You can also email but remember the wifi isnt great there so it is always best to call. Dont forget some of these hostels are total party spots so dont book your stay there unless its your vibe! The Essential Beach Packing List (+ Fun Items and Tips! El Paredon lies on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, roughly two hours from Antigua and three hours from Guatemala City. Just 60 meters away from the beach, you can run to the waves straight from your villa's doorstep. This is easily the most popular activity that people come to El Paredon to partake in. The area is less temperate than some in the 17th percentile for pleasant weather compared to tourist destinations worldwide. The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Theyve worked on building local libraries and schools. I do hope it stays like this in some ways as it is being built up quite fast by the growing popularity. The seafood there is a must-try. When I visited I was super lucky to stumble upon the place as it wasnt online at all back then. We did walk around and eat out a couple of times. This is my complete travel guide to El Paredon, Guatemala. Granted its not always like that, but still, issue caution when heading out. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Heres more information about the shuttles. Also, this is pretty much the main thing to do here, as Ive mentioned. The least humid month is March (65.2% relative humidity), and the most humid month is October (80.3%). Im not joking; this town is pretty desolate! But seriously. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If I were to go back, I would definitely just take the shuttle from Antigua. 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. Woman in charge ignores safety issue - Paredon Surf House. For 120 quezales($15), I had a private one-hour lesson with Bagley. This isnt the normal beach destination that you will see in other areas around Central America. The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. Again you can opt for a dorm room, beach shack or private room! Someone different is putting on an event each night and thats where you will see everyone. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Often times you will be sitting on the beach and only be able to see so far because of the darkness of the sand reflecting. It costs only $1 USD more than Driftwood Surfer but has a much bigger pool and a relaxing daytime vibe. Im pretty sure we have all had travel plans messed up because of COVID and not all insurers covered this. Its only 3 hours from Lake Atitlan or 2 hours from Antigua. El Paredon is one of the best surf destinations in Guatemala. Keep in mind that these services do not operate on the coast, so they wont be an option for your return. The best way to enjoy the lively atmosphere is to book a room with Driftwood Surfer and stay with them. Fro. You cant come to the beach and not have a beach day. Your options are Thai Curry, Indian Curry or Noodles. 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. Hotel in El Paredn Buena Vista. These times of year are the busiest with tourists. Even though El Paredon is a small town, youll find many things to do to keep you entertained. 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 .