Make friends with the local dogs, roll out a towel, cover yourself in suncream and read your book! The sand becomes less hot which is also a great time to walk down the beach and explore. It can be a bit pricier than other parts of Guatemala but that is due in part to the location. Crowds naturally gather in this location come sunset so its a very social place to grab a drink and join in with the beach volleyball which, during my stay, seemed to be daily occurance. As Ive mentioned, El Paredon is small. So dont expect too much in terms of anything really! Black sand beaches are very common in Guatemala, which makes them exotic. And if this El Paredontravel guide doesnt, drop me a comment below and Ill update it for you! 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. 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! Book your tour and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. The location is right on the beachfront but it was the same price as nicer hostels in my opinion. Just 60 meters away from the beach, you can run to the waves straight from your villa's doorstep. Ive heard from several people that they really loved their stay here. 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.). 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.) You can book onto one of their tours or opt for kayak rental and explore for yourself. Booking a tour is easy, and youll get a tour guide that will paddle you through the stunning mangrove estuaries of the National Park. 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. Allen who was looking after the place (and still is) was so incredibly helpful and showed me up to their dorm room. El Paredon Guatemala At A Glance El Paredon is a tinny town where you can literally walk its length in about 10 minutes! 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. They are around 3 to 5 feet or larger even. However, the beach really comes to life when sunset approaches. Go to a local family home and learn to make the local salad, empanadas and tortillas. We mostly ate at our hostel (Cocori) and they had amazing food. Best Times to Travel Guatemala El Paredon, Guatemala, Tourism graph is based on Google searches for services used by tourists relative to the rest of the year. One of the many things La Choza Chula offers is a Guatemalan cooking class. So make sure that you know what youre doing or go out with a surf camp. Finca El Zapote ofrece a sus visitantes cientos de actividades por hacer al aire libre, siendo un lugar paradisaco con vistas impresionantes. Double-check before you go if the place youre staying has WiFi, and what people say about it. Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Read More: Guatemala Bucket List Best Things To Do In Guatemala. See average monthly temperatures below. Solola, Guatemala. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! You can opt for a private room or dorms here. Here, you'll find an expansive surfing beach that stretches along the town and for miles beyond it. It has a pool (with a bar inside), a volleyball court outside, and pool tables. 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. 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. Unknown to most travelers, Guatemala's best kept secret is home to some of the country's top surfers. IM MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. Many hotels offer classes and equipment at affordable prices, so you dont have to worry about being inexperienced. Your Perfect Guatemala Itinerary: 1-3 Weeks + Tips! You can organize many of the activities mentioned above (like seeing the turtles or a boat tour) through La Choza Chula, a local social enterprise in El Paredon that benefits the community directly. For 120 quezales($15), I had a private one-hour lesson with Bagley. With how remote El Paredon is and seems, it is actually quite easy to get here. This is me Living Out Loud(Lau). This might be a better option if you would like to get some sleep at night because it can get quite loud at Driftwood Surfer. If youre looking to experience an off-the-beaten path destination in Guatemala, look no further than El Paredon. Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. There are very few places to eat and not many hotels either. There are so many Airbnbs to choose from in El Paredon. In order to avoid having your plans sidetracked due to heavy rains, it is best to visit between November and April. So drive safely and keep a watchful eye. Just lay down, enjoy some coconut water, and listen to the calming sound of the crashing waves. 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. For example, on the week of January 1st there are no days of precipitation on average. a beach hut with no air conditioning.) 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. El Paredon in Guatemala is something I didnt expect when visiting here. Driftwood is the popular hostel I mentioned at the beginning of this El Paredon travel guide. Although its only two hours from Antigua, it feels very remote and like its a world away. Additionally, they organize tours for all visitors. These times of year are the busiest with tourists. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person. If you have a portable one then that is even better! The cost of the shuttle from Panajachel to El Paredon costs around Q180. Here are the activities we recommend you check out: Perhaps the best thing to do in El Paredon is to go surfing. Before or after the midday sun, take a stroll along the beach and soak up the tranquillity of El Paredon. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Now, it is one of the most popular destinations for many tourists. 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. 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. There are plenty of restaurants in El Paredon, but the local shops have a limited inventory. You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. 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. I couldnt work out which ones were open and when, it was kind of pot luck turning up and seeing if they were open! The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. 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. Jokes aside - El Paredon is pretty safe. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month. The sun gets extremely red and big. 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. 3av 3-25, El Paredon, Sipacate, Escuintla, 05021 Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay $89 per night Feb 20 - Feb 21 0.49 mi from city center Swell Surf & Lifestyle Hotel 1 Avenida, Sipacate, Escuintla $66 per night Feb 20 - Feb 21 0.44 mi from city center 4.7/5 Exceptional! The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. Be sure to check the times with the two shuttle operators (NEWay and 2theOcean) to get the exact schedule. Other travel guides we know you will like: Global traveller @ste_marques shares with us the B, 5 DAY TRIPS FROM LISBON Things you need to know about visiting El Paredon beach in Guatemala, There are only about 5 places to stay there (a few more options and it is growing), Although there isnt much choice in the way of places to eat, the food is amazing, If you are looking for a quiet time out place, go to El Paredon, If you want a mix of quiet time and party time then you want. Fro. There are many surf schools and accommodations that offer surf lessons and a place to rent a surfboard if you dont have your own. 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. As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings for Guatemala; exercise a high degree of caution. Driftwood is the place everyone talks about but I didnt see the WOW factor myself. More Routes from Antigua Antigua to Lanqun Antigua to San Marcos la Laguna Antigua to Lake Atitlan Antigua to El Paredon There are shuttles leaving every day from the popular locations in Guatemala. Dont forget some of these hostels are total party spots so dont book your stay there unless its your vibe! Everything below is something I currently use and never leave my house without. In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. I am certainly no stranger to adventure, outward and within. Best Hostel In El Paredon Driftwood Surfer Hostel. We got a recommendation from the owner of our hotel when visiting Semuc Champey. 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! The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. Renee - SALES. As you walk along the black sandy shores, you encounter endless waves and breathtaking sunsets. Heres what you need to know to have the perfect beach escape in El Paredon. El Paredon is one of the best surf destinations in Guatemala. Eating local is one of my favourite things to do in Guatemala and is one of the best things to do in El Paredon because 1. When they were open.. the food was amazing! Nowhere is 100% safe, all of the time. This is easily the most popular activity that people come to El Paredon to partake in. It will cost between $50 and $60 USD, You will not have to get on a boat when coming from Antigua. Everything is within walking distance so no need for transport to and from places. Relax on the beach in El Paredon, cruise serene Lake Atitln, and visit one of Central America's . El Paredon is my favorite beach in Guatemala and just a short ride from Antigua. Cost 150q ($20) access only; they do not have their day pass fees go towards a tab which is unfortunate. 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. The seafood there is a must-try. As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings for Guatemala; exercise a high degree of caution. If there are particular food or snacks you wish to bring with you, make sure you purchase them before your stay in El Paredon. The community in El Paredon is very environmentally aware. Cabins and places to camp are offered at affordable prices, and lessons are offered for beginner surfers. If you'd like, you can also opt for a visit to the sleepy beach community of Monterrico for a special wildlife experience. This is not the place you can go in the water and play around. There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. It is a 2-hour drive from Antigua Guatemala, and a 3-hour drive from Guatemala City. The beach is BEST enjoyed first thing in the morning or at sunset. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The tranquil town of El Paredon is the perfect place for surfers and lovers of the ocean. The last option would be to take a taxi or Uber. If you are going to eat fish in Guatemala, this is the place to do it! I was here for three days and it was MORE than enough time. 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? Below I will explain multiple options when coming from Lake Atitlan and Antigua. Local experiences are why we travel! The small surf town of El Paredon, Guatemala, is safe to visit! The local families La Choza Chula work with are very warm and friendly and love to learn about the new cultures too. Theres always something going on! Whether you are a big surfer or looking to relax for a few days, I highly suggest coming here. Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. I do hope it stays like this in some ways as it is being built up quite fast by the growing popularity. In most hostels, you will have the opportunity of staying at a beachfront property for a great price. There arent a ton of restaurants, coffee shops, or hotels in the area. 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. Several places in the town offer horseback riding, but the most famous of which is Driftwood Surfer Hostel. 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. Along with trendy and spacious rooms that offer the most comfortable sleep, there is nothing more you could want! 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. This means any day of the week, you can use the 100q you pay for entry towards food and drink. And definitely keep in mind if you book another place, the town is small and you might still here the music if youre close enough. Rent a board and surf! You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala.