el paredon guatemala safety

El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. There are some good spots along the beachfront where you can set it up. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! RELATED: 15 of The BEST Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala. You will be given your own room, communal kitchen and bathroom and a communal area where you can chill on some hammocks. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. One of those times we stopped at Zicatela and we loved it. Drfitwood hosts evening events and dinners too (you know, beer pong vibes) have a wander in and just ask one of the many staff here. There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Due to its proximity to Antigua, it makes a great weekend trip. To no ones surprise at all, Driftwood Surfer is the best hostel in El Paredon. There are a few other things to do besides chilling and surfing in El Paredon! The sun gets extremely red and big. Happy days! If youre looking to experience an off-the-beaten path destination in Guatemala, look no further than El Paredon. Welcome to our guide to El Paredon, Guatemala! If youre planning a trip to El Paredon and are looking for how to get to El Paredon, where to stay in El Paredon, where to eat in El Paredonand what do to in El Paredon, this El Paredontravel guide will answer all of your questions. Some of the other activities you can book through them include: As you will come soon find out, partying is very popular in this area of Guatemala. You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. Located a few streets behind the main area is a river that is surrounded by trees. Before or after the midday sun, take a stroll along the beach and soak up the tranquillity of El Paredon. This is a popular place to take a kayak or paddleboard to explore this area which is called the mangroves. 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. You can also email but remember the wifi isnt great there so it is always best to call. If you have a portable one then that is even better! So take my advice if you are going to El Paredon, book to stay at Casa Macano Surf-Yoga! As mentioned earlier there arent that many places to stay in El Paredon (yet!). The community in El Paredon is very environmentally aware. Many come here to relax, surf, or party as there are honestly not many other choices! The Ultimate Guide to visiting El Paredon | From Antigua Start your day with some movement and connection to self before the world gets its hands you! The sky gets illuminated with all sorts of pinks, oranges, and reds, while the water will glisten with the last of the suns light. It features an on-site restaurant serving some of the best food in El Paredon. You can book a tour through La Choza Chula. Not a single cloud in the sky so it was a perfect time to go for a swim. LivingOutLau is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Disclosure: Where in the World is Nina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, MileValue, 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 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. But, El Paredon must be one of the safest places in Central America. Please see myDisclosurefor more details. El Paredon Guatemala At A Glance El Paredon is a tinny town where you can literally walk its length in about 10 minutes! 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. But there are also some nicer hotels and hostels if youre looking for something a little more comfortable. Tourist busses from Antigua to el Paredon are faster and safer and more comfortable, which are three good reasons why you would want to use them. You might also like: Acatenango Volcano Hike - The ultimate 2 day adventure in Guatemala So if youre wanting a late lunch at 4pm you might struggle to find a place offering food at that time. There are many surf schools and accommodations that offer surf lessons and a place to rent a surfboard if you dont have your own. Many visitors will flock towards the sand to try to catch the last light of the day. Usually, a third-party shuttle runs daily from Antigua to El Paredn, and the prices are usually around Q110 per person. Best of Guatemala: Antigua, El Paredn & Lake Atitln - 13 Days Because of this, it is advised to try to book well in advance if you want a specific place to stay. 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. If youre not a guest you can get a day pass for the pool and to chill out in the gorgeous setting. Most of them are hostels and the accommodations can be very rustic (i.e. 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. So if you want to hammock it up along the coast, this is the spot. If the place youre staying doesnt have its own pool, you can get a day pass at Mellow Hostel for Q150 (which includes Q100 bar tab.) Rent a board and surf! If you are looking for a luxurious beach getaway or a beach that you can bask on for hours and hours while being catered to, this is NOT the place to go! If you are going to eat fish in, The owner Garry is really friendly and knows how to make some great food! The cost of the shuttle from Panajachel to El Paredon costs around Q180. El Paredon, Guatemala Theres not really too much to do in El Paredon, considering its a tiny beach town made up of just one paved road and several small dirt roads. There are no lifeguards on the beach, and swimming is pretty dangerous. 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. A Beach Weekend In Guatemala - Central America 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? The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in El Paredon. Instead, the easiest and still reasonably priced way to get here is to just book a shuttle! This is easily the most popular activity that people come to El Paredon to partake in. The only difference between the two towns is that Monterrico has more resort-like properties and is more popular with Guatemalan tourists. It is the lowest . It will cost between $50 and $60 USD, You will not have to get on a boat when coming from Antigua. 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. 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. Their tours provide an alternative income stream for many of the locals. If the sun is not out, it might take a day or two to get your clothes back. 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. You can choose to keep the fish to cook or donate some of the fish to the local families. La Choza Chula is a popular organization that empowers communities to build sustainable futures. La Choza Chula are a social enterprise and rely on donations/tour bookings to drive their mission another reason to book your adventures here! Playa El Paredn, Escuintla - Lugares tursticos de Escuintla, Guatemala Being such a small surf town, you really do feel removed from the chaos of the city and of the world. Hold your shoes, dont leave them somewhere! For full information, please see my disclaimerhere. 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. Book: Mellow Hostel | Driftwood Hostel | Cocori Lodge, RELATED: The Essential Beach Packing List (+ Fun Items and Tips!). You can book transport in Guatemala with them here and Guatemalan tours with them here. If youre planning to visit El Paredon and know your dates, all Id say is make a reservation/book your accommodation ahead of time. You will soon get used to it as you see no one else surfing during those other hours of the day. Although it had only just opened and was still a work in progress you can see the potential. El Paredon is an up-and-coming destination in Guatemala. One of the most important roles of El Paredon is the maintenance of the local sea turtle population. The Mellow hostel is a little bit pricier when compared to the other options in the area but for good reason. El Paredon - Guatemala's best kept secret! - YouTube This is where we stayed and we loved it! With its close proximity to Lake Atitlan (3 hours) and Antigua (2 hours), it makes it great for weekend trips. The accommodations here include glamping tents, bungalows, and private air-conditioned rooms. 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. Many surfers come during this time as it is also one of the best times to go out. Average temperatures in El Paredon vary very little. 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. Here, you'll find an expansive surfing beach that stretches along the town and for miles beyond it. There are two main companies that have shuttles to El Paredon, NEWay or 2theOcean. This is a really magical experience, you head out during sunrise and on a clear day, youll see the 3 volcanoes. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. I traveled with four other girlfriends and had the best time. 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. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These are just *some* of the m. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Though Guatemala does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety, El Paredon is very safe. Black sand beaches are very common in Guatemala, which makes them exotic. Like the one below. El Paredon Guatemala Surf - A Complete Guide By A Surfer They are a local Not For Profit company who have done some great work in the local community building schools and libraries. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). 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! This makes El Paredon one of the best places in Guatemala to go surfing. These spots are also where the parties will be if there are any. I also. 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! El Paredon is the spot to get your fix of saltwater and to soak up some beach life and surf lessons! How to get to El Paredon | La Choza Chula When I visited I was super lucky to stumble upon the place as it wasnt online at all back then. In this guide, well tell you everything you need to know about this amazing destination, so youll be ready for your visit. IM MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. El Paredon is different because the sand is actually dark. 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. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person. Some of these days passes even come with drink vouchers. for nearly as long. See the exact locations of these spots on the Guatemala Google Map Legend. Hammock Living. You can chill at their pool (excellent since the beach sand has rough water and burning sand) and use their facilities. 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. The hostel is a huge part of the community in El Paredon, so if you need information about surfing, turtle release, or really about anything in El Paredon, the staff at Driftwood Surfer can help you. Thank you for reading my guide about El Paredon in Guatemala! If you are a bit of an adventure junky then you could also book a Summit to Surf tour through OX Expeditions. That means you can use all 150q on drinks and food all day while using their facilities. To soak up and immerse ourselves in different languages, cultures, tastes and traditions. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do. Explore Guatemala's mystical, mountainous, and volcanic landscapes on this tour, including hiking, biking, and boating. Theyve worked on building local libraries and schools. How magical is that!? El Paredon, Guatemala, is a small and sleepy surf town. I stayed here for 4 nights back in March and it was a nice way to end our time in Guatemala. 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! 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! A local meal will cost you around 25-35Q in El Paredon and a more ex-pat run establishment will cost around 60-80Q. This was during peak season in January 2022. RELATED: Your Perfect Guatemala Itinerary: 1-3 Weeks + Tips! The beaches in Guatemala arent necessarily well-known, and most wont put these spots on their itinerary while exploring the country. Thanks for stopping by my blog! 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. If I were to go back, I would definitely just take the shuttle from Antigua. I know Guatemala from the many volcanos and the beautiful Lake Atitlan. The sand is HOT. Just be careful when swimming in the ocean. 5 amazing things to do at El Paredon Guatemala - Boundless Roads With the endless volcanic black sand beach and the consistent waves it is a perfect destination for all types of . Did you find this post helpful? I got the fish tacos which were amazing. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Read More: Guatemala Bucket List Best Things To Do In Guatemala. Book your tour and enquire today via Instagram @lachozachula or WhatsApp +502 53872886. A couple of local places I loved in El Paredon were: There are these 3 little huts located just behind Pakalolo Heladeria Ice Cream. 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. All rights reserved. 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. It is truly a quiet surf destination in an unlikely place. 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. Go and grab a board from your hostel and start shredding! The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day. 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. 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. You can take a boat ride out to the feeding grounds to see them. Now, it is one of the most popular destinations for many tourists. Welcome to our guide to El Paredon, Guatemala! Someone different is putting on an event each night and thats where you will see everyone. Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. You can book onto one of their tours or opt for kayak rental and explore for yourself.