Thank you! Shes been abroad since 2011 and blogging on Where in the World is Nina? 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. Described as one of the Top 10 Surf Destinations in the World by The Guardian, this little fishing village is only around 2 hours from the well-known colonial city of Antigua.It boasts some of the most spectacularly unspoilt stretches of black-sand beach, dusty village roads, and endlessly diverse mangrove forests. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! Average temperatures in El Paredon vary very little. You dont really think about Guatemala having an amazing beach scene but it does. 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. This small hostel is known for its rooftop restaurant and lively nightlife, thanks to the number of backpackers that arent afraid to dance all night and take too many shots of tequila. 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! Unlike other countries, Guatemala does not experience four seasons. 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 cost of the shuttle is Q90 (about $12) each way to and from Antigua, and there are usually two departures daily. It is a truly beautiful experience that you cant miss. If you are also looking for the best places to eat in Antigua, take a look at this post right here where I go through all my favorite restaurants, cafes, and breweries in Antigua. Monterrico is the more popular Guatemalan beach choice, as its much more built up, with more choice of places to stay. Take the opportunity you have here to slow down, wander, breathe and admire mother nature doing her thing! They offer authentic and unique experiences in El Paredon. Go for it! With its close proximity to Lake Atitlan (3 hours) and Antigua (2 hours), it makes it great for weekend trips. 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. To no ones surprise at all, Driftwood Surfer is the best hostel in El Paredon. Wear shoes on the beach. More About Nina. 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. Most people, myself included, will head to the Pacific Coast to get their dose of saltwater whilst in Guatemala. This is the place to do it. There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. La Choza Chula has even more activities that are worth checking out, so make sure to head their way during your stay in El Paredon, Guatemala. If you want a break from all the exciting activities we recommended above, then maybe youll want to just lay down on the black sand and relax for a while. the decoration of the property is beautiful, and the host is more than welcoming! If you just speak to someone at our accommodation they will organize lessons for you. From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. I know of many people who came to El Paredon for a short time, and then just never left, Here are some other random things to know before you visit, There are no ATMs in El Paredon. El Paredon Guatemala At A Glance El Paredon is a tinny town where you can literally walk its length in about 10 minutes! I think thats the name anyway! Im not joking; this town is pretty desolate! El Paredon is different because the sand is actually dark. Its location couldnt be any more central or conveniently located on the beachfront. Read More: Guatemala Bucket List Best Things To Do In Guatemala. 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. 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. We got a recommendation from the owner of our hotel when visiting Semuc Champey. 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. Keep in mind that these services do not operate on the coast, so they wont be an option for your return. They will at the least have drinks going all day and often have DJs mid-day and well into the night, live music, and other events. This is a really magical experience, you head out during sunrise and on a clear day, youll see the 3 volcanoes. 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. There are quite a few places to stay in El Paredon. 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. 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. Go to a local family home and learn to make the local salad, empanadas and tortillas. 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! There are multiple options on how to get to El Paredon, depending on where you are. This is a really unique experience because you really get to share and experience how the local people here in El Paredon live. This is a popular place to take a kayak or paddleboard to explore this area which is called the mangroves. I started Claires Itchy Feet to inspire women to pack their bags and travel more. Did you find this post helpful? Luckily there are a few little hammock huts along the beach, but those are for guests only; we will talk more about this in a sec! There can be a strong current and if you go too far out it might pull you in. Many people will flock to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, or the Mayan ruins. Super cool chill spot with access to hammocks, pool, and hang-out area at the top of their main bungalow. Hey, I am Sean Lau! El Paredon is known as an up-and-coming destination ever since it caught the attention of many foreign surfers. Visitors can explore the unique environment by taking on a tour in a traditional wooden boat. Personally, it didnt seem like the best hostel to stay at when I visited it. Their tours provide an alternative income stream for many of the locals. El Paredon beach it's a black sand beach that you will pretty much have to yourself! So if youre wanting a late lunch at 4pm you might struggle to find a place offering food at that time. 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! Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This Guatemalan beach isnt like the ones youre used to. For the tourist bus, its around 125Q and you can either book through the accommodation you book to stay in El Paredon, or, As mentioned earlier there arent that many places to stay in, Unfortunately, I didnt confirm a booking before I went and ended up wandering down the beach looking for somewhere to stay! I did the homework, so you dont have to. Your options are Thai Curry, Indian Curry or Noodles. This is a very small beach town, dont just show up! If youre looking for another active activity thats not surfing, you can always go paddle-boarding in the river. Being a tropical country, Guatemala experiences rain for most of the year. Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak I thrive in nature, with nature and by recognising my true nature in the midst of it all. If you are doing shorter trips or a longer backpacking trip then WorldNomads or Travel Insurance Master are the best option. June August is fairly slow season for tourism in El Paredon, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly less. Id love you to share it for me. 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. If you are looking for things to do in El Paredon at night, then make sure you head to Drift Surfer, the towns most famous beach hostel. Visit the turtle hatchery early in the morning to see turtles hatch and run to the ocean! There isnt much wifi anywhere in town but Mellow hostel would be your best bet for finding that. 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. If you are staying for a few days you can negotiate a reduced rate for multiple lessons. El Paredon is on Guatemala's Pacific coast. Driftwood Surfer is by far the most popular hostel amongst backpackers. While there isnt too much to do in El Paredon, its a good place to relax and you wont want to rush yourself, so I would recommend staying for at least two nights. Hiking the Famous Acatenango Volcano Near Antigua, Exploring the Nature Park of Hobbitenango, Exploring the Many Hikes Lake Atitlan has to offer, KEEN Durand II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks, 10 Day Itinerary in Guatemala: The Ideal Route, 3 Week Itinerary in Peru: A Hikers Dream, 3 Week Itinerary in Colombia: A Dream Vacation, The best overall way to travel from Lake Atitlan to El Paredon is by shuttle, This shuttle takes 3 hours and you will have to get off and onto a boat for the last 10 minutes. It features an on-site restaurant serving some of the best food in El Paredon. Being such a small surf town, you really do feel removed from the chaos of the city and of the world. Many hotels here give this advise as well. This reserve, administered by Cecon (Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas de la Universidad de San Carlos), is Monterrico's biggest attraction. Although it had only just opened and was still a work in progress you can see the potential.
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