Its highly advised to book accommodation before arriving. Posted on Last updated: November 15, 2022. a beach hut with no air conditioning.) This isnt going to be a luxury beach getaway with perfect white sand. I got you covered! And if this El Paredontravel guide doesnt, drop me a comment below and Ill update it for you! So El Paredon is small. Book your experience and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. La Choza Chula is a popular organization that empowers communities to build sustainable futures. And What Not To Pack? Like many Latin-American countries, Guatemala has unique national foods that will make your mouth water. 76 68. Nina Ragusa is an adventurer, messy bun master, breakfast fan, and full-time travel blogger. But other than that, this little surf town is a very peaceful place where nobody will harm you. Coming from Antigua is a much shorter route and should take 2 hours (depending on traffic), There are more options from here such as chicken busses or taking an uber, Shuttle bus is still recommended for most travelers as it should be around Q100, If you are up for an adventure then taking the chicken busses might suit you. There are no lifeguards on the beach, and swimming is pretty dangerous. Depending on when you come to El Paredon, there wont be a ton of restaurants that you are used to having. 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. There is a family-run laundry in town, but they do not have tumble dry. The WiFi at Mellow Hostel works very well, but I heard it can be not so great at other places. La Choza Chula is a non-profit that empowers locals by creating authentic experiences. On this tour, you take a little boat into the mangroves with a local guide. This was during peak season in January 2022. One of the most important roles of El Paredon is the maintenance of the local sea turtle population. Swell Guatemala (this seems to be the cool place to stay these days. Some of the events that happen are beer pong tournaments and trivia nights. There are plenty of restaurants in El Paredon, but the local shops have a limited inventory. Mellow Hostel is a newly-opened hostel with delicious food (my lunch here was one of the best meals I had in Guatemala!) A touch of Bali in a Guatemalan surf hotel. Not a single cloud in the sky so it was a perfect time to go for a swim. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. This actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise as whilst wandering down the beach I stumbled upon, When I visited here this place was actually called Finka Mistia. Located a little bit more inland than the rest (a 5-minute walk to the beach) it is a nice place to relax and get away from the beachfront party vibes. Even though El Paredon is a small town, youll find many things to do to keep you entertained. The restaurant moved since I went there and you can also stay in his guest house. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. El Paredon is known as an up-and-coming destination ever since it caught the attention of many foreign surfers. 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. If you are going to eat fish in, The owner Garry is really friendly and knows how to make some great food! This is my complete travel guide to El Paredon, Guatemala. 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! Just 60 meters away from the beach, you can run to the waves straight from your villa's doorstep. One of those times we stopped at Zicatela and we loved it. Other than this it is practically not worth grabbing your board to head out there, which is sad. 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. The best time to visit El Paredon for the best surfing conditions is between November and April. 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. Someone different is putting on an event each night and thats where you will see everyone. Granted its not always like that, but still, issue caution when heading out. El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Central America ; Guatemala ; Escuintla Department ; El Paredon ; El Paredon B&Bs / Inns ; Paredon Surf House; Search. If you're looking to experience an off-the-beaten path destination in Guatemala, look no further than El Paredon. Solola, Guatemala. El Paredon Guatemala: Ultimate Travel Guide - Zoe Goes Places Mellow, Driftwood, and Cocori are totally awesome places to book while staying in El Paredon! For as long I can remember I have had an appreciation and fascination for other cultures. Its also located directly on the beach. These are just *some* of the m. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you are going to eat fish in Guatemala, this is the place to do it! Not everywhere has WiFi. Start your day with some movement and connection to self before the world gets its hands you! It is nice to walk along the water to see the other parts of the area and to truly see how remote you are. I started Claires Itchy Feet to inspire women to pack their bags and travel more. You can choose to keep the fish to cook or donate some of the fish to the local families. In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. This time three weeks ago, Playa el Paredon a popular surf spot on Guatemala's remote Pacific coast would have been packed. If you are looking for a romantic and unique experience in El Paredon, then consider horseback riding along the beach. Founder of Wheres Mollie / We Are Global Travellers, content creator, photographer and videographer. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We recommend that you do horseback riding around sunset, so you can enjoy the beautiful colors of the falling sun as you make your way across the gorgeous black sand beaches of El Paredon. Keep in mind that these services do not operate on the coast, so they wont be an option for your return. I got the fish tacos which were amazing. El Paredon Guatemala surf spot is also suitable for intermediate surfers. PAREDON SURF HOUSE - Updated 2023 Prices & Guest house Reviews (El This website uses affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link at no extra cost to 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. How to get from Antigua to El Paredon, Guatemala Nina helps people like you move around the world while making money. But for those that arent staying, they can also come and enjoy their restaurant and bar! Its known for being an up-and-coming destination thats popular with surfers and beach bums. The beach is BEST enjoyed first thing in the morning or at sunset. As mentioned earlier there arent that many places to stay in El Paredon (yet!). If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. I highly recommend Paredon Surf House. If youre planning to visit El Paredon and know your dates, all Id say is make a reservation/book your accommodation ahead of time. I am certainly no stranger to adventure, outward and within. Read below for more weather and travel details. The majority of people that come in here are coming for the surf. Monterrico is the more popular Guatemalan beach choice, as its much more built up, with more choice of places to stay. If you love the beach and surfing, you could obviously stay for much longer! If youre not an early riser the sunset is for you! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Enjoy some water sports, or simply sit on the beach and watch the sunset. Keep in mind parties, surf, and chilling in pools are pretty much the main things to do here and not much else. Take a bracelet making class with some of the local girls from the village. Many surfers come during this time as it is also one of the best times to go out. Jokes aside - El Paredon is pretty safe. El Paredon off the beaten path. Booking a tour is easy, and youll get a tour guide that will paddle you through the stunning mangrove estuaries of the National Park. Dining in El Paredon, Guatemala: A Foodie's Guide to Local Cuisine Dont forget some of these hostels are total party spots so dont book your stay there unless its your vibe! Learn more. Shuttles depart El Paredon twice a day, around 9 AM and 2 PM. We did walk around and eat out a couple of times. If you'd like, you can also opt for a visit to the sleepy beach community of Monterrico for a special wildlife experience. 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. Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. Displayed data is calculated, Overall travel experience by time of year. The best time to visit El Paredon, Guatemala is during the countrys dry season. 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! 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. Everything below is something I currently use and never leave my house without. El Paredon, Guatemala, is a small and sleepy surf town. Nearby, youll find the Sipacate Naranjo National Park, a government-protected nature reserve that is home to a vast ecology of coastal plants and animals. This is a really magical experience, you head out during sunrise and on a clear day, youll see the 3 volcanoes. 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! Their tours provide an alternative income stream for many of the locals. 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. If you want to stay a little longer I would recommend speaking to La Choza Chula as they have plenty of volunteer opportunities. PeruRomaniaColombiaGuatemalaHong KongMalaysia. Explore Guatemala's mystical, mountainous, and volcanic landscapes on this tour, including hiking, biking, and boating. The best things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala So these are the spots offering day passes. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! Below is a list of some of my favorite hiking/travel gear that I bring with me everywhere. El Paredon is an off-the-beaten-path destination located about a 2.5 hour drive from Antigua. REMINDER: Never walk around barefoot, the black sand is incredibly hot! 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.