el paredon guatemala safety

Many come here to relax, surf, or party as there are honestly not many other choices! 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! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. When I visited here this place was actually called Finka Mistia. Below is a list of some of my favorite hiking/travel gear that I bring with me everywhere. Many come here to relax, surf, or party as there are honestly not many other choices! So which spots have the best day passes? This is one of the most popular spots! It is among the most popular destinations in the country due to its friendly locals, stunning landscape, and laid-back atmosphere. With the endless volcanic black sand beach and the consistent waves it is a perfect destination for all types of . See all of Mollies adventures and guides here. If youre not an early riser the sunset is for you! Amplios jardines, lagunas, columpios, paseos a caballo, tours planificados, piscinas, nacimientos de agua y mucho ms. 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. The best things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala We were never disappointed. Weather stations report no annual snow. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. 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! Alex provided a lot of information before . World Nomads is great for incidents that happen prior to your trip, so if you get sick or are unable to travel due to travel restrictions some of their policies will cover that as cancellation cover. The Best El Paredn Buena Vista Hotels, Guatemala (From $30) The town has long been a weekend retreat for locals seeking an escape from the commotion of Guatemala City and expats living in Antigua. Tucked away and secluded from the everyday hustle and bustle, El Paredon is a hidden paradise. Although it had only just opened and was still a work in progress you can see the potential. A local meal will cost you around 25-35Q in El Paredon and a more ex-pat run establishment will cost around 60-80Q. The Ultimate Guide to visiting El Paredon | From Antigua If you buy something through the links on this page, youre helping me pay for my next adventureso, thank you for clicking! Guatemala Bucket List Best Things To Do In Guatemala. La Choza Chula offers homestays with local families. If you have a few extra days in Guatemala, El Paredon is definitely worth visiting. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs. World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer. 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. 10 journal prompts and ideas for you, 14 photos that will make you want to go to Finnish Lapland, The best things to do in Queensland, Australia, An open top car tour of Londons iconic landmarks and landscapes, The perfect winter getaway in a Shepherds Hut in Sussex, UK, The best things to do in the Dolomites, Italy, Gili Island life Saving the best for last, Stoneoven pizzas and cervezas at Olivias pizza (bottom left, duh), El Naranjo wildlife tour 2.5 hours, 250Q, Poza del Nance turtle tour 2 hours, 200Q. Did I forget to mention its location just a few minutes walk from the beach? Anything youd add? This was during peak season in January 2022. Theres always something going on! 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. However, with that said, if you are the right person, you all have so much fun visiting this beach town! It is a 2-hour drive from Antigua Guatemala, and a 3-hour drive from Guatemala City. Additionally, if you visit between March and April, youll experience warmer weather. Other than this it is practically not worth grabbing your board to head out there, which is sad. To soak up and immerse ourselves in different languages, cultures, tastes and traditions. Im pretty sure we have all had travel plans messed up because of COVID and not all insurers covered this. Visitors can take in the tropical atmosphere just by walking through the elegantly-designed hotel. Choose your slice of paradise! Here are the activities we recommend you check out: Perhaps the best thing to do in El Paredon is to go surfing. The sand is black volcanic sand, and it is boiling the majority of the day. If you are a digital nomad or planning travel of at least 6 months then go for SafetyWing. 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. Go and grab a board from your hostel and start shredding! If youre looking to enhance your trip to the Pacific Coast, one of the best things to do in El Paredon is.. get local! The surf here in winter, when the waves are at their best, are of decent size. If you are looking for a luxurious hotel in El Paredon, then Kaan Surf is the perfect place for you. Many people will flock to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, or the Mayan ruins. El Paredon, Guatemala, is a small and sleepy surf town. Here, guests can experience the magic of baby turtles hatching and running into the sea. In fact, they only have two dry and wet seasons. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot all year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. Here are the best ways to explore and enjoy this little slice of paradise in Guatemala. This is my complete travel guide to El Paredon, Guatemala. Just lay down, enjoy some coconut water, and listen to the calming sound of the crashing waves. One way to get to El Paredon is by shuttle. If you are doing shorter trips or a longer backpacking trip then WorldNomads or Travel Insurance Master are the best option. We did walk around and eat out a couple of times. El Paredon has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. There are some other cool activities in this area that you can do if those arent your thing. Most of them are hostels and the accommodations can be very rustic (i.e. The Best Surfing in Guatemala Is at El Paredon - Matador Network 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! You can take these tours with them, and many of the accommodations I mention below also offer these tours through them. 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. Fro. If you are a bit of an adventure junky then you could also book a Summit to Surf tour through OX Expeditions. The best time to visit El Paredon, Guatemala is during the countrys dry season. Most people, myself included, will head to the Pacific Coast to get their dose of saltwater whilst in Guatemala. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. Bring a towel and your camera and enjoy the show that light ups the sky. I also. Be sure to wear shoes as the sand gets extremely hot! Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. 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. The beaches in Guatemala arent necessarily well-known, and most wont put these spots on their itinerary while exploring the country. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! However, the water here is a bit intimidating, so you might want to go out with somebody who can help you have more fun and be super safe. Everything is within walking distance so no need for transport to and from places. Day passes are available if you want to use their pool and arent a guest. Its highly advised to book accommodation before arriving. So these are the spots offering day passes. This is where we stayed and we loved it! There is a family-run laundry in town, but they do not have tumble dry. One of the most important roles of El Paredon is the maintenance of the local sea turtle population. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. . Thinking of traveling from Antigua to El Paredon? 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. You will soon get used to it as you see no one else surfing during those other hours of the day. In this video, we'll take you on a journey to discover the beauty and adventure of this tropical paradise. 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! So if you want to hammock it up along the coast, this is the spot. There are only about 5 places to stay there (a few more options and it is growing) If you want to surf in Guatemala you need to either go early in the morning or after 5 pm There is little to no wifi in El Paredon Finally, you can take the chicken bus from Antigua, but youll have to transfer twice and take a tuk-tuk. The area is less temperate than some in the 17th percentile for pleasant weather compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Some of these days passes even come with drink vouchers. The Pacific Slope travel - Lonely Planet | Guatemala, Central America You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. Central America ; Guatemala ; Escuintla Department ; El Paredon ; El Paredon B&Bs / Inns ; Paredon Surf House; Search. Youll learn how to prepare Guatemalan tortillas, empanadas, ticucas, and much more! This might be a better option if you would like to get some sleep at night because it can get quite loud at Driftwood Surfer. There are many surf schools and accommodations that offer surf lessons and a place to rent a surfboard if you dont have your own. Guatemala is home to 37 volcanoes, three of which are constantly active. The restaurant moved since I went there and you can also stay in, I think thats the name anyway! Looking for more information about traveling in Guatemala? If you want the cheapest way, youll be riding on the chicken bus and in that case, it will take around four hours to get here as youll have tons of stops along the way. 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. Here, you'll find an expansive surfing beach that stretches along the town and for miles beyond it. 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. But seriously. Take a bracelet making class with some of the local girls from the village. Wind in El Paredon is usually extremely calm. The sand is HOT. This reserve, administered by Cecon (Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas de la Universidad de San Carlos), is Monterrico's biggest attraction. 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 a really magical experience, you head out during sunrise and on a clear day, youll see the 3 volcanoes. Two reputable organizations are El Paredon Surf Camp School El Paredon Surfing School (not online) and Pacifico Tours (not online). Many hostels will have a set of their own as well as Airbnbs. El Paredon is a surfing beach town located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the department of Escuintla. If you wish to avoid the stress of driving there yourself, then the most common way to arrive at El Paredon, Guatemala is to use a tourist shuttle service. 25 for a little surf hut, hammock out the front, outdoor shower and a 5-minute walk from the beach. Visit the turtle hatchery early in the morning to see turtles hatch and run to the ocean! The way we experience weather isnt all about temperature. You might be wondering if El Paredon is safe. Remember, they have a bit more of a party vibe going on, though, so as long as you know that and thats what you want, youll be right there in the action. Keep in mind that these services do not operate on the coast, so they wont be an option for your return. In fact, its the best Thai Curry Ive had outside of Thailand! If you have a portable one then that is even better! However, I used a day pass at a few of the hotels in the area, which was so much fun! Rain is rare with 0 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. Someone different is putting on an event each night and thats where you will see everyone. 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. Heres what you need to know to have the perfect beach escape in El Paredon. Youre likely to either come from Antigua or at the least, youll have a stopover at Antigua to get here. Thank you! 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced. Driftwood is the popular hostel I mentioned at the beginning of this El Paredon travel guide. Due to its proximity to Antigua, it makes a great weekend trip. El Paredon is more for backpackers, and though it is a little bit smaller, more of the locals speak English. Ultimate Guide to El Paredon, Guatemala - a world of destinations This means any day of the week, you can use the 100q you pay for entry towards food and drink. 7 Things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala El Paredon is super sleepy and honestly can be explored in about an hour of walking around the town. You wont find any sight like it anywhere else. Take the opportunity you have here to slow down, wander, breathe and admire mother nature doing her thing! As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings for Guatemala; exercise a high degree of caution. You can also email but remember the wifi isnt great there so it is always best to call. Because of this, it is advised to try to book well in advance if you want a specific place to stay. You can opt for a private room or dorms here. From air-conditioned rooms to its beautiful pool and beachside location, there is nothing not to love about Driftwood Surfer. The local fisherman will teach some fishing techniques before you have a go at fishing for yourself. Also, this is pretty much the main thing to do here, as Ive mentioned. I also recommend buying meals/snacks from local business instead of only eating at expat-owned restaurants and hotels. When I visited I was super lucky to stumble upon the place as it wasnt online at all back then. The Surf House is a super cool place to stay (on the beachfront!) 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. Another option is taking an Uber from Antigua, which is what I did and it was about $55. Hold your shoes, dont leave them somewhere! El Paredon off the beaten path. As a small, sleepy town, crime is really minimal. But there are also some nicer hotels and hostels if youre looking for something a little more comfortable. If you love the beach and surfing, then El Paredon is the perfect place for you. Dont forget some of these hostels are total party spots so dont book your stay there unless its your vibe! Its the most affordable way to eat and 2. you get the local experience. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. Everyone knows everyone, and the town is generally very safe. The beaches of El Paredon have black sand, which gets extremely HOT in the sun (think walking on paved asphalt in the middle of the day.) There are shuttles leaving every day from the popular locations in Guatemala. If youre planning to visit El Paredon and know your dates, all Id say is make a reservation/book your accommodation ahead of time. El Paredon is the most gorgeous little surf townon the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. Hammock Living. Instead, they use a washing line. It is only two hours away from Antigua Guatemala, so you can get there quickly. If you would like to do watersports in El Paredon but dont want to surf, why not try stand-up paddleboarding? There arent as many accommodations to choose from in El Paredon as there are other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala. 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? Afterwards, enjoy the food with the local family! 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 lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. There is nothing like relaxing in a hammock in the afternoon while a breeze is cooling you off. El Paredon, Guatemala has one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Lisbon is alread, Brand new travel guide: A Guide To Planning Your W, Craving the coast? All rights reserved. But other than that, this little surf town is a very peaceful place where nobody will harm you. Youll get to experience a glimpse of how the local families here in El Paredon live and get to know more about the local culture here. Top Hotels in El Paredon from $55 - Expedia I couldnt work out which ones were open and when, it was kind of pot luck turning up and seeing if they were open! 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. Since then the ownership has changed and it is now calledCasa Macano Surf-Yoga. If youve rented a car, then you can easily drive there. Here are the best things to do. I would love to stay here if I came back to El Paredon! I got the fish tacos which were amazing. Not a single cloud in the sky so it was a perfect time to go for a swim. Known for its consistent waves, El Paredon is a perfect place to get in and try your hand at surfing. Not everywhere has WiFi. The best option to rent a kayak is at El Paredon Surf Camp for 40 GTQ (5 USD) for three hours. 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. There are quite a few places to stay in El Paredon. Your options for beaches in Guatemala are pretty slim. 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. These months see the most precipitation with 10 to 12 days of precipitation per month. Mellow Hostel is a newly-opened hostel with delicious food (my lunch here was one of the best meals I had in Guatemala!) Some of the events that happen are beer pong tournaments and trivia nights. What makes this small town so special, is the unique experiences it offers. During the day, its best to observe from the safety of a hammock or a pool deck. You can book transport in Guatemala with them here and Guatemalan tours with them here. This is a very small beach town, dont just show up! El Paredon is the spot to get your fix of saltwater and to soak up some beach life and surf lessons! I also use Travel Insurance Master for some short vacation type trips as they are cheaper than World Nomads a lot of the time. Like many Latin-American countries, Guatemala has unique national foods that will make your mouth water. There is also an unexpected sight to behold here in the form of a Thai restaurant, Soul Food Kitchen . Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. June August is fairly slow season for tourism in El Paredon, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly less. 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! Granted its not always like that, but still, issue caution when heading out. Youll also get to admire some of the most gorgeous beachfront properties along the coastline here! Other travel guides we know you will like: Global traveller @ste_marques shares with us the B, 5 DAY TRIPS FROM LISBON The only difference between the two towns is that Monterrico has more resort-like properties and is more popular with Guatemalan tourists. You can also rent a surfboard at almost any place you stay. El Paredon, Guatemala You're probably more likely to have your food taken from a hostel kitchen or your drink swiped at a weekend party. El Paredon is a surfing beach town located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the department of Escuintla. You cant come to the beach and not have a beach day. The windiest month is March, followed by April and February. Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Though Guatemala does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety, El Paredon is very safe. The streets of El Paredn, Guatemala / Paredon Surf Club Facebook Page The beach is fronted by a line of small hotels and hostels. El Paredon consists of one main road with multiple shops on either side and smaller dirt roads around it. Best of Guatemala: Antigua, El Paredn & Lake Atitln - 13 Days Youll get to see their heads pop up to breathe! The location is right on the beachfront but it was the same price as nicer hostels in my opinion. The beach is BEST enjoyed first thing in the morning or at sunset. 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. To start off, the design of the property is gorgeous. El Paredon beach it's a black sand beach that you will pretty much have to yourself! As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings for Guatemala; exercise a high degree of caution. They have shared rooms and private rooms (no air conditioning though!) Theyve worked on building local libraries and schools. It is nice to walk along the water to see the other parts of the area and to truly see how remote you are. Locals open their homes, so you can experience what it is like to live as they do! Grab some drinks, some snacks and maybe your surfboard too go soak up this glorious light. PAREDON SURF HOUSE - Updated 2023 Prices & Guest house Reviews (El Just keep in mind there are no Ubers in El Paredon to bring you back to Antigua. Categories Central America, Destinations, Guatemala, Why You NEED To Do A Tikal Tour In Guatemala. Join our mailing list to get the latest updates!! Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. Note that we define significant precipitation as .1 inches or more in this section. This is a really unique experience because you really get to share and experience how the local people here in El Paredon live. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.