el paredon guatemala safety el paredon guatemala safety

Some tours even include classes for you to learn how the locals fish, and youll get the chance to try a new experience on a tranquil part of the mangrove. This is where we stayed and we loved it! 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 . Thinking of traveling from Antigua to 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. This is a good, affordable place to learn how to surf for beginners. I know Guatemala from the many volcanos and the beautiful Lake Atitlan. Along with trendy and spacious rooms that offer the most comfortable sleep, there is nothing more you could want! 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. If you take a chicken bus, youll need to make multiple transfers or even take tuk-tuks. Now, it is one of the most popular destinations for many tourists. About 10 days before I visited El Paredon, there seemed to be reasonable availability on Airbnb / Booking.com but 6 days before? Your Perfect Guatemala Itinerary: 1-3 Weeks + Tips! It has a pool (with a bar inside), a volleyball court outside, and pool tables. When he told me it was only 100Q a night I couldnt give him my money quick enough! The most popular places to stay in El Paredon are: Surf House (Bit more upmarket but on the expensive side and always full), Surf Camp (cheaper, not so nice and always full), Casa Macano Surf-Yoga(If you want to have more of a retreat-style stay I stayed here so see below for full review), Soul Food Kitchen and Guesthouse (best Thai food in Guatemala! Super worth it! He was super chill. Surfing or learning to surf is one of the best things to do in El Paredon and with it being such a small beach town, ocean time is one of the only things to do! Bring all the cash you might need and try booking the hotels mentioned above online so you dont have to use cash! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. El Paredon Guatemala surf spot is also suitable for intermediate surfers. El Paredon in Guatemala is something I didnt expect when visiting here. They are a Guatemalann owned company that have painstakingly brought together all of the transport and tour options in one easy-to-use website. RELATED: 15 of The BEST Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala. REMINDER: Never walk around barefoot, the black sand is incredibly hot! It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. These spots are also where the parties will be if there are any. Message your host / accommodation ahead of time to arrange. If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. Book your tour and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. Monterrico is the more popular Guatemalan beach choice, as its much more built up, with more choice of places to stay. It is only two hours away from Antigua Guatemala, so you can get there quickly. 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. Its known for being an up-and-coming destination thats popular with surfers and beach bums. So make sure that you know what youre doing or go out with a surf camp. Locals open their homes, so you can experience what it is like to live as they do! All wind speeds are in knots. On my blog, you will find personal information, guides and travel tips as I share my discoveries of the world. Though Guatemala does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety, El Paredon is very safe. Make sure not to go anywhere around town barefoot as most of the towns streets are made of this same sand, and there is only one major (paved) road that runs through the town. El Paredon is a quiet Pacific coastal town well-known for surfing and features a long, wild, unspoiled volcanic beach. Many hostels will have a set of their own as well as Airbnbs. Explore The Pacific Slope. Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. All rights reserved. I got the fish tacos which were amazing. Book your experience and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. El Paredon is on Guatemala's Pacific coast. Tourism data for this area is extrapolated based on nearby areas. There are various companies that offer shuttle services, either from Antigua or the airport. This is my complete travel guide to El Paredon, Guatemala. Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. The sand becomes less hot which is also a great time to walk down the beach and explore. Take a tour with La Choza Chula. 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. If you have a portable one then that is even better! 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. The local families La Choza Chula work with are very warm and friendly and love to learn about the new cultures too. There arent too many things to do here; however, the best thing to do is to chill at a hotel via a day pass unless you are already staying at that hotel. Im sure it is finished now and much better equipped. The owner is a pretty cool guy). 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 youre looking for the very warmest time to visit El Paredon, the hottest months are April, May, and then July. There is a family-run laundry in town, but they do not have tumble dry. There are some other cool activities in this area that you can do if those arent your thing. This isnt the normal beach destination that you will see in other areas around Central America. They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) 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. We were never disappointed. 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! This makes El Paredon one of the best places in Guatemala to go surfing. Most of them are hostels and the accommodations can be very rustic (i.e. The town has long been a weekend retreat for locals seeking an escape from the commotion of Guatemala City and expats living in Antigua. Dont forget some of these hostels are total party spots so dont book your stay there unless its your vibe! If you leave from San Pedro, the shuttle will first go to Antigua then El Paredon whereas leaving from Panajachel is a straight shot. They offer authentic and unique experiences in El Paredon. Considering I dont enjoy staying at places that have a lot of people with parties and have dorms to sleep in, I opted to have my private bungalow elsewhere. But seriously. 2023 Wander Her Way. 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 lies on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, roughly two hours from Antigua and three hours from Guatemala City. As you make your way down, you can admire the flora and fauna of the mangroves. They are a local Not For Profit company who have done some great work in the local community building schools and libraries. El Paredon is the most gorgeous little surf townon the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. Guatemala is home to 37 volcanoes, three of which are constantly active. Wind in El Paredon is usually extremely calm. Thank you for reading my guide about El Paredon in Guatemala! At 34 I sold all my worldly possessions that wouldnt fit into 3 boxes or my backpack and hit the road. It is truly an extraordinary and magical experience. As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings for Guatemala; exercise a high degree of caution. I thrive in nature, with nature and by recognising my true nature in the midst of it all. 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. Despite its tiny size, the whole place feels like a different world, compared to the rest of the country. The Mellow hostel is a little bit pricier when compared to the other options in the area but for good reason. The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in El Paredon. Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. Depending on when you come to El Paredon, there wont be a ton of restaurants that you are used to having. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot all year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. It is nice to walk along the water to see the other parts of the area and to truly see how remote you are. 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. Rain is rare with 0 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. The restaurant moved since I went there and you can also stay in, I think thats the name anyway! More Routes from Antigua Antigua to Lanqun Antigua to San Marcos la Laguna Antigua to Lake Atitlan Antigua to El Paredon If there are particular food or snacks you wish to bring with you, make sure you purchase them before your stay in El Paredon. Thank you! A lot smaller than Id imagined. Two reputable organizations are El Paredon Surf Camp School El Paredon Surfing School (not online) and Pacifico Tours (not online). 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! Best Hostel In El Paredon Driftwood Surfer Hostel. Tourists are unlikely to visit El Paredon in October. Many come here to relax, surf, or party as there are honestly not many other choices! It costs only $1 USD more than Driftwood Surfer but has a much bigger pool and a relaxing daytime vibe. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night. Because of this, it is advised to try to book well in advance if you want a specific place to stay. 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. We mostly ate at our hostel (Cocori) and they had amazing food. You can take a boat ride out to the feeding grounds to see them. Join our mailing list to get the latest updates!! Its developing quite fast there and for good reason. El Paredon is my favorite beach in Guatemala and just a short ride from Antigua. Surf This is easily the most popular activity that people come to El Paredon to partake in. Unknown to most travelers, Guatemala's best kept secret is home to some of the country's top surfers. Learn more. There are plenty of restaurants in El Paredon, but the local shops have a limited inventory. In order to avoid having your plans sidetracked due to heavy rains, it is best to visit between November and April. 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. Go and grab a board from your hostel and start shredding! El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The black sand isnt ideal for sunbathing, so you wont find any parasols or lounge chairs unless you bring your own. El Paredon is one of the best surf destinations in Guatemala. There can be a strong current and if you go too far out it might pull you in. 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! var Latitude=13.921353;var Longitude=-91.068703;var rootSlug='el-paredon-gt';var PlaceName='El Paredon';var today = new Date();var dd = String(today.getDate()+2).padStart(2, '0');var mm = String(today.getMonth() + 1).padStart(2, '0');var yyyy = today.getFullYear();today= yyyy + '-' + mm + '-' + dd; The best times to visit El Paredon for ideal weather are. Double-check before you go if the place youre staying has WiFi, and what people say about it. Fro. This small beach town is a hidden gem in Guatemala full of unique and entertaining experiences. Driftwood Surfer is by far the most popular hostel amongst backpackers. I got you covered! As mentioned earlier there arent that many places to stay in El Paredon (yet!). Fall daily highs range from 90.8F (32.7C) and 88.1F (31.2C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. Shes been abroad since 2011 and blogging on Where in the World is Nina? The beaches in Guatemala arent necessarily well-known, and most wont put these spots on their itinerary while exploring the country. This is not the place you can go in the water and play around. Many hotels here give this advise as well. 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. There are shuttles leaving every day from the popular locations in Guatemala. Wear shoes on the beach. Like many Latin-American countries, Guatemala has unique national foods that will make your mouth water. So if you want my advice to give Monterrico a miss and head to El Paredon quickly before everyone else realizes just how good it really is! Make friends with the local dogs, roll out a towel, cover yourself in suncream and read your book! El Paredon Beach is not the typical beach to lay on all day while tanning. This is one of the most popular spots! The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. Reviewed March 3, 2022 . Please see myDisclosurefor more details. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission atno extra cost to you! For full information, please see my disclaimerhere. The sun gets extremely red and big. I'm Phillip, an adventure enthusiast from the U.S. traveling the world full time. Another option is taking an Uber from Antigua, which is what I did and it was about $55. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. ID LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WEVE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN! The only company I recommend for booking transport and tours in Guatemala (other than the individuals and companies I have named) is GuateGo. The only danger in El Paredon is the strong currents that could pull in inexperienced swimmers. Be aware that the streets arent always well-maintained. When you picture a beach, you probably imagine white-sand and turquoise waters. See the exact locations of these spots on the Guatemala Google Map Legend. You can also email but remember the wifi isnt great there so it is always best to call. Receive top travel tips, news and adventure ideas! 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. Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. It is one of the best surfing spots in Guatemala, and though you might not be able to do a lot of swimming, the black sand beaches are an incredible sight. This is a really magical experience, you head out during sunrise and on a clear day, youll see the 3 volcanoes. In fact, they only have two dry and wet seasons. If youre not an early riser the sunset is for you! 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. There are multiple options on how to get to El Paredon, depending on where you are. Even though El Paredon is a small town, youll find many things to do to keep you entertained. It is truly a quiet surf destination in an unlikely place. Weather stations report no annual snow. El Paredon consists of one main road with multiple shops on either side and smaller dirt roads around it. El Paredon might not be known for its extravagant hotels, but Kaan Surf can satisfy some of your modern needs. Start your day with some movement and connection to self before the world gets its hands you! It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced. 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. So El Paredon is small. What Should You Pack For Guatemala? They give you the opportunity to experience the true Guatemalan way of life. The WiFi at Mellow Hostel works very well, but I heard it can be not so great at other places. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. During the day, its best to observe from the safety of a hammock or a pool deck. Did I forget to mention its location just a few minutes walk from the beach? Your options are Thai Curry, Indian Curry or Noodles. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. However, if you want to take on some of the waves with a board, it is a great place! Heres what you need to know to have the perfect beach escape in El Paredon. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you buy something through the links on this page, youre helping me pay for my next adventureso, thank you for clicking! Lisbon is alread, Brand new travel guide: A Guide To Planning Your W, Craving the coast? So which spots have the best day passes? This is a very small beach town, dont just show up! 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.