Many surfers come during this time as it is also one of the best times to go out. Every day, he is traveling and sharing his discoveries of the world through exceptional travel guides on his blog! Nesting is from June-November. Before the world wakes up and before the heat of the sun rises, take the time to wander down to the beach and enjoy a meditation, podcast, surf session, walk or run. The sun gets extremely red and big. Jokes aside - El Paredon is pretty safe. Grab some drinks, some snacks and maybe your surfboard too go soak up this glorious light. It is truly a quiet surf destination in an unlikely place. Is El Paredon, Guatemala safe? 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. There are quite a few places to stay in El Paredon. 25 for a little surf hut, hammock out the front, outdoor shower and a 5-minute walk from the beach. You can also rent a surfboard at almost any place you stay. Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. These months see the most precipitation with 10 to 12 days of precipitation per month. Driftwood is the place everyone talks about but I didnt see the WOW factor myself. However, even though it is extremely well-known, this beach town maintains its laid-back, almost remote feeling. 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. Super cool chill spot with access to hammocks, pool, and hang-out area at the top of their main bungalow. And for that reason (youll see when you get there), its easy to see how it gets fully booked. 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. Personally, it didnt seem like the best hostel to stay at when I visited it. That means you can use all 150q on drinks and food all day while using their facilities. Dining in El Paredon, Guatemala: A Foodie's Guide to Local Cuisine Most people, myself included, will head to the Pacific Coast to get their dose of saltwater whilst in Guatemala. In fact, they only have two dry and wet seasons. In most hostels, you will have the opportunity of staying at a beachfront property for a great price. You dont really think about Guatemala having an amazing beach scene but it does. The cost of the shuttle is Q90 (about $12) each way to and from Antigua, and there are usually two departures daily. Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. You can chill at their pool (excellent since the beach sand has rough water and burning sand) and use their facilities. El Paredon Guatemala: Ultimate Travel Guide - Zoe Goes Places Exploring Hidden Gems and Eco-Tourism in El Paredon, Guatemala These times of year are the busiest with tourists. You can take a boat ride out to the feeding grounds to see them. Its one of the best surf spots in Guatemala, in fact, The Guardian thinks its one of the t. Where is El Paredon beach, and how do you get from Antigua to the beach? Safety Wing goes the extra mile and covers quarantine outside your home for up to 10 days, they also have a really handy map on their website showing requirements and restrictions for each country. But other than that, this little surf town is a very peaceful place where nobody will harm you. El Paredon is famous for its black sand beaches. Bring all the cash you might need and try booking the hotels mentioned above online so you dont have to use cash! Additionally, they organize tours for all visitors. 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. There are a few other things to do besides chilling and surfing in El Paredon! This is the place to do it. Woman in charge ignores safety issue - Review of Paredon Surf House, El Looking for more information about traveling in Guatemala? Of course, Guatemala has some of the most beautiful destinations in Central America, but none of them feel quite like El Paredon. The weather in El Paredon was great every single day I was there. By contrast, its most likely to rain or snow in early to mid October with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of October 8th. This is me Living Out Loud(Lau). The local families La Choza Chula work with are very warm and friendly and love to learn about the new cultures too. Shes been abroad since 2011 and blogging on Where in the World is Nina? Read below for more weather and travel details. And What Not To Pack? If youre looking for another active activity thats not surfing, you can always go paddle-boarding in the river. 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. Again you can opt for a dorm room, beach shack or private room! The accommodations here include glamping tents, bungalows, and private air-conditioned rooms. 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!). Take a tour with La Choza Chula. The majority of people that come in here are coming for the surf. The prices Im sure will have increased by now but I would have totally paid more to stay here. The owner Garry is really friendly and knows how to make some great food! I would recommend coming here and getting a class instead of going alone unless you have a decent amount of experience. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. El Paredon is an off-the-beaten-path destination located about a 2.5 hour drive from Antigua. How to get from Antigua to El Paredon, Guatemala . Lisbon is alread, Brand new travel guide: A Guide To Planning Your W, Craving the coast? 7 Travel Shoes for Women That Are Functional AF. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. And if this El Paredontravel guide doesnt, drop me a comment below and Ill update it for you! 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. If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. For 120 quezales($15), I had a private one-hour lesson with Bagley. People come from all around to flock to the beach and watch one of the best sunsets in the whole country. If you are going to eat fish in Guatemala, this is the place to do it! The busiest month for tourism in El Paredon, Guatemala is February, followed by January and April. Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. Not a single cloud in the sky so it was a perfect time to go for a swim. Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. and offers the balance of tranquil vibes around the pool along with medium doses of lets get in the ocean and surf baby! You can opt for beachfront bungalows, shared dorms (perfect for solo travellers) and sea view suites! The weather tends to be extremely hot and humid during March and April, but it cools down after sunset. 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. Afterwards, enjoy the food with the local family! I only have one night, which was not enough! Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. However, I used a day pass at a few of the hotels in the area, which was so much fun! 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. If you are going to eat fish in, The owner Garry is really friendly and knows how to make some great food! 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. El Paredon - Guatemala's best kept secret! - YouTube On my blog, you will find personal information, guides and travel tips as I share my discoveries of the world. There are many surf schools and accommodations that offer surf lessons and a place to rent a surfboard if you dont have your own. Theyve worked on building local libraries and schools. In order to avoid having your plans sidetracked due to heavy rains, it is best to visit between November and April. Being a tropical country, Guatemala experiences rain for most of the year. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. 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. Most accommodations will offer surf hire and surf lessons to guest and if they dont have the instructors / equipment themselves, they will be able to make arrangements for you. I also. The Best Surfing in Guatemala Is at El Paredon - Matador Network Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. It is only two hours away from Antigua Guatemala, so you can get there quickly. The owner is a pretty cool guy). Im pretty sure we have all had travel plans messed up because of COVID and not all insurers covered this. I saw many of the same people night after night, which made this town seem very close-knit. The sand is black volcanic sand, and it is boiling the majority of the day. See more information on their website here. The dorm rooms arent bunk beds which I see as a huge plus. And What Not To Pack? The black sand isnt ideal for sunbathing, so you wont find any parasols or lounge chairs unless you bring your own. World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you arrive here it feels so remote but that is why I fell in love with this place. I traveled with four other girlfriends and had the best time. It is so hot that most people dont bask on the sandy beach during the day. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission atno extra cost to you! IM MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. Many hotels here give this advise as well. This tour involves hiking Volcan Acatenango where you will camp for the night then when you arrive back in Antigua they will organize all of your transport and accommodation as well as your surf lessons. Read More: Guatemala Bucket List Best Things To Do In Guatemala. For the tourist bus, its around 125Q and you can either book through the accommodation you book to stay in El Paredon, or book through GuateGo. El Paredon, Guatemala Two reputable organizations are El Paredon Surf Camp School El Paredon Surfing School (not online) and Pacifico Tours (not online). Cost 150q ($20) access only; they do not have their day pass fees go towards a tab which is unfortunate. Highs range from 94.6F (34.8C) and 89.3F (31.8C) with similar temperatures in the later months. Tourists are unlikely to visit El Paredon in October. If the sun is not out, it might take a day or two to get your clothes back. It is nice to walk along the water to see the other parts of the area and to truly see how remote you are. The best time to visit El Paredon, Guatemala is during the countrys dry season. El Paredon is known as an up-and-coming destination ever since it caught the attention of many foreign surfers. Is El Paredon Guatemala safe? From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. All wind speeds are in knots. You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. On average, it rains or snows a very small amount: 0 to 1 times per month. Being such a small surf town, you really do feel removed from the chaos of the city and of the world. Top tip: The black sands get very hot during the day for obvious reasons so whilst its nice to be barefoot on the earth, Id bring flip flops to save yourself the burn! There are no lifeguards on the beach, and swimming is pretty dangerous. We got a recommendation from the owner of our hotel when visiting Semuc Champey. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! Some people would recommend using the chicken bus, but Guatemalas public transport isnt the most reliable or safe. All rights reserved. The small town is home to a small population, which means that no crime goes unnoticed. Ultimate Guide to El Paredon, Guatemala - a world of destinations Many people will flock to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, or the Mayan ruins. the decoration of the property is beautiful, and the host is more than welcoming! If you want to stay a little longer I would recommend speaking to, If you are a bit of an adventure junky then you could also book a Summit to Surf tour through OX Expeditions. Youll then stop off at a local salt farm where you can see the process of the natural salt extraction here in Guatemala. 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. As I mentioned before there isnt that much choice BUT its probably the best food Ive eaten in Guatemala and the cheapest. If youre planning to visit El Paredon and know your dates, all Id say is make a reservation/book your accommodation ahead of time. Booking a tour is easy, and youll get a tour guide that will paddle you through the stunning mangrove estuaries of the National Park. Im not joking; this town is pretty desolate! The sunrise and sunset light here is heaven. A touch of Bali in a Guatemalan surf hotel. One of the many things La Choza Chula offers is a Guatemalan cooking class. Woman in charge ignores safety issue - Paredon Surf House. 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. This was during peak season in January 2022. Allen who was looking after the place (and still is) was so incredibly helpful and showed me up to their dorm room. It rains or snows a significant amount: 2 to 11 days per month. Almost every place on the beach will have board rentals available; however, some do not rent to people who have never been surfing before because, as we have mentioned, the surf can be dangerous. I went to all of them, and the first two were my favorite only because you pay, and have it can go towards a tab. But there are also some nicer hotels and hostels if youre looking for something a little more comfortable. Tucked away and secluded from the everyday hustle and bustle, El Paredon is a hidden paradise. Your Guide to El ParedonGuatemala's Surf Town - Where in the World Go for it! Here, you'll find an expansive surfing beach that stretches along the town and for miles beyond it. In fact, you might as well watch it every night! Ive got you! Because of its location, facing entirely South and out of the shadow of the Galapagos Islands, any south swell that comes out of the Antarctic will hit El Paredon in full force. 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.