Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. 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. Its never far! You will soon get used to it as you see no one else surfing during those other hours of the day. So El Paredon is small. and a cool outdoor space including a pool, hammocks, and airy loft. Not many people will be swimming because of the rip currents and the big waves that rip through here. Several places in the town offer horseback riding, but the most famous of which is Driftwood Surfer Hostel. They are a local Not For Profit company who have done some great work in the local community building schools and libraries. Solola, Guatemala. Thank you for all the info about el paredon, in my next trip to guatemala, Ill defininetly go visit that beautiful place. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the pool and intermittently walked to the beach Anahi United States of America 9.3 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. The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. Their mission is to create locally-driven projects that ensure the educational and environmental development of El Paredn and neighbouring communities. 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. During the day, its best to observe from the safety of a hammock or a pool deck. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Displayed data is calculated, Overall travel experience by time of year. Like many Latin-American countries, Guatemala has unique national foods that will make your mouth water. There are a few other things to do besides chilling and surfing in El Paredon! 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. With calm waters and great views of the mangroves, its perfect for paddle-boarding. All rights reserved. For example, on the week of January 1st there are no days of precipitation on average. Many come here to relax, surf, or party as there are honestly not many other choices! Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. 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. In fact, they only have two dry and wet seasons. In fact, you might as well watch it every night! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. So these are the spots offering day passes. The best thing about El Paredon is that there are always waves to surf. While in El Paredon, you need to experience a boat ride through the mangroves and seeing the sunset on the beach at la barra which is the point where the river meets the ocean. If youre going to walk on the beach, walk along the wet part and run there because the dry sand will scald you on the way. There are some other cool activities in this area that you can do if those arent your thing. Dont come here with the wrong idea. That means you can use all 150q on drinks and food all day while using their facilities. Your options for beaches in Guatemala are pretty slim. Finally, you can take the chicken bus from Antigua, but youll have to transfer twice and take a tuk-tuk. The owner Garry is really friendly and knows how to make some great food! 25 for a little surf hut, hammock out the front, outdoor shower and a 5-minute walk from the beach. If you're looking to experience an off-the-beaten path destination in Guatemala, look no further than El Paredon. Driftwood is the popular hostel I mentioned at the beginning of this El Paredon travel guide. El Paredon is known as an up-and-coming destination ever since it caught the attention of many foreign surfers. The sand is black volcanic sand, and it is boiling the majority of the day. 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. 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. I would recommend coming here and getting a class instead of going alone unless you have a decent amount of experience. Most of them are hostels and the accommodations can be very rustic (i.e. It is only two hours away from Antigua Guatemala, so you can get there quickly. If you would like to do watersports in El Paredon but dont want to surf, why not try stand-up paddleboarding? If you are looking for a luxurious hotel in El Paredon, then Kaan Surf is the perfect place for you. Bring a towel and your camera and enjoy the show that light ups the sky. Heres more information about the shuttles. Unlike many other surf towns in Central America, El Paredon is a very quiet one. 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! 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. I know Guatemala from the many volcanos and the beautiful Lake Atitlan. Choose your slice of paradise! The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots. When can you find snow in El Paredon? This museum, about 2.75km on foot or 5km by vehicle from El Bal hilltop site, comprises a very fine open-air assemblage of Pipil stone sculpture. World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer. With the endless volcanic black sand beach and the consistent waves it is a perfect destination for all types of . If you take a chicken bus, youll need to make multiple transfers or even take tuk-tuks. We guarantee youll make unforgettable memories during your stay in El Paredon. However, I used a day pass at a few of the hotels in the area, which was so much fun! This activity is one of my personal favorites. This is a very small beach town, dont just show up! If you buy something through the links on this page, youre helping me pay for my next adventureso, thank you for clicking! Just lay down, enjoy some coconut water, and listen to the calming sound of the crashing waves. Book your tour and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. I hope you can make it out this way when visiting this beautiful country. This isnt going to be a luxury beach getaway with perfect white sand. I sat and watch for most of the day from my hammock surfers being thrown around. there arent many options and many people book before arriving. Because of this, it is advised to try to book well in advance if you want a specific place to stay. Average temperatures in El Paredon vary very little. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise as whilst wandering down the beach I stumbled upon Casa Macano Surf-Yoga. Grab some drinks, some snacks and maybe your surfboard too go soak up this glorious light. The sand is HOT. However, even though it is extremely well-known, this beach town maintains its laid-back, almost remote feeling. Go to a local family home and learn to make the local salad, empanadas and tortillas. Allen who was looking after the place (and still is) was so incredibly helpful and showed me up to their dorm room. This tour takes you on a boat with a local guide. This means any day of the week, you can use the 100q you pay for entry towards food and drink. 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. Bring all the cash you might need and try booking the hotels mentioned above online so you dont have to use cash! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Many people will flock to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, or the Mayan ruins. The dorm rooms arent bunk beds which I see as a huge plus. A touch of Bali in a Guatemalan surf hotel. Most people, myself included, will head to the Pacific Coast to get their dose of saltwater whilst in Guatemala. You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. The majority of people that come in here are coming for the surf. You can take these tours with them, and many of the accommodations I mention below also offer these tours through them. 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. a beach hut with no air conditioning.) I spent 4 days earlier this month on the volcanic black sands of El Paredon and so if youre looking for an insight into what to expect, where to stay and the best things to do in El Paredon Guatemala dont move an inch. 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. 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. La Choza Chula offers homestays with local families. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. There are multiple options on how to get to El Paredon, depending on where you are. If 2020 taught us anything, its that you need to be prepared for anything! In order to avoid having your plans sidetracked due to heavy rains, it is best to visit between November and April. 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. The beach is BEST enjoyed first thing in the morning or at sunset. Also. 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. Theres always something going on! Is it Safe to Travel to El Paredon? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Instead, they use a washing line. You might also like: Acatenango Volcano Hike - The ultimate 2 day adventure in Guatemala Go and grab a board from your hostel and start shredding! With these amazing Guatemalan cooking experiences, youll get a chance to go to a local familys kitchen and learn how to prepare authentic Guatemalan dishes. This small, laidback fishing village is located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, about two hours from Antigua and three and a half hours from the capital. Read More: What Should You Pack For Guatemala? Copyright 2023 Where in the World is Nina? Learn more. Rent a board and surf! One of the guys staying in my dorm told me his friend broke his board the day before and so he was mostly bodyboarding because it was too crazy out there. Its only 3 hours from Lake Atitlan or 2 hours from Antigua. Weather stations report no annual snow. However, the beach really comes to life when sunset approaches. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Despite its tiny size, the whole place feels like a different world, compared to the rest of the country. Youll also get to admire some of the most gorgeous beachfront properties along the coastline here! The best way to enjoy the lively atmosphere is to book a room with Driftwood Surfer and stay with them. I'm Phillip, an adventure enthusiast from the U.S. traveling the world full time. I got the best of both worlds, access to the cool hotel WITHOUT the lack of sleep at night (granny needs her shut-eye, kids!). World Nomads is great for incidents that happen prior to your trip, so if you get sick or are unable to travel due to travel restrictions some of their policies will cover that as cancellation cover. Driftwood Surfer is by far the most popular hostel amongst backpackers. You can book onto one of their tours or opt for kayak rental and explore for yourself. For as long I can remember I have had an appreciation and fascination for other cultures. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do. It will cost between $50 and $60 USD, You will not have to get on a boat when coming from Antigua. It is truly a quiet surf destination in an unlikely place. El Paredon, Guatemala El Paredon Guatemala At A Glance El Paredon is a tinny town where you can literally walk its length in about 10 minutes! On this tour, you take a little boat into the mangroves with a local guide. So drive safely and keep a watchful eye. Dont get me wrong though, people still want to party here. Fro. Unfortunately, there are a lot of riptides, and youll see signs scattered around the beach and all of the hotels warning you to be careful. 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? The only downside to the place is that it is a little away from the beach, so you dont get any beach access while hanging out here. Where is El Paredn? The ride here from Antigua is around 2 hours and 3 hours from Guatemala city. 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. ), However, there are several other activities in El Paredon too. Fro. Visitors can take in the tropical atmosphere just by walking through the elegantly-designed hotel. Sgueme en Instagram como JULSGOES #guatemala #beachhotel #beachlife #hotel.julsgoes | Publicar el sorteo en mi InstagramQuieres ganarte 1 noche aqu ? Before or after the midday sun, take a stroll along the beach and soak up the tranquillity of El Paredon. 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. 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. Unlike surfing which you have to do in the sea, you can stand-up paddleboard in the river, which means that you dont have to worry about the violent waves. Be sure to check the times with the two shuttle operators (NEWay and 2theOcean) to get the exact schedule. **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. El Paredon in Guatemala is something I didnt expect when visiting here. In most hostels, you will have the opportunity of staying at a beachfront property for a great price. Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. Welcome to our guide to El Paredon, Guatemala! In 2018, I left the comfort of my home and job in New York City to find out what truly inspires me. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month. Did you find this post helpful? The restaurant moved since I went there and you can also stay in his guest house. There is nothing like relaxing in a hammock in the afternoon while a breeze is cooling you off. Some people would recommend using the chicken bus, but Guatemalas public transport isnt the most reliable or safe. El Paredon is located near the Sipacate-Naranjo National Park of mangrove forests. With no plans to stop anytime soon Im always looking for my next adventure be it attempting to surf or climbing a volcano Ill try (almost) anything once! Shuttles leave twice a day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. When I visited I was super lucky to stumble upon the place as it wasnt online at all back then. See the exact locations of these spots on theGuatemala Google Map Legend. The tranquil town of El Paredon is the perfect place for surfers and lovers of the ocean. Below I will explain multiple options when coming from Lake Atitlan and Antigua. They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. 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! One of the most exciting attractions in El Paredon is the nearby mangroves in Sipacate Naranjo National Park. So which spots have the best day passes? The town is at sea level on the pacific coast, which means that during these hotter months most people will either stay in the water for as long as possible, or stay in the hotels and resorts that have fresh air.