Best things to do in El Paredon Guatemala: Coastal Paradise
Visiting El Paredon Guatemala
November 2022
Situated on the Pacific coast and approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Guatemala City, El Paredon stands out as a renowned surf destination in Guatemala. Given Guatemala’s volcanic landscape, El Paredon boasts a distinctive black sand beach.
Despite its popularity, El Paredon Guatemala has managed to maintain a serene atmosphere, avoiding overcrowding for now, which adds to its charm. You can enjoy a leisurely walk on the beach and relish the feeling of solitude. Although it’s a small town, the laid-back vibe makes it an excellent place to disconnect. Let’s explore everything El Paredon has to offer!
Transportation
How to get to El Paredon
Numerous travel agencies provide shuttle services to El Paredon. In our case, coming from Lake Atitlan and staying in San Pedro la Laguna, we booked a shuttle. Our journey involved taking a boat to Panajachel, which served as the meeting point. From there, the drive to El Paredon Guatemala took approximately 5 hours. Upon reaching El Paredon, we had the option of taking a mini ferry to cross, although there’s another road depending on your point of origin.
In El Paredon
Given the small size of the town, navigating El Paredon on foot is incredibly convenient. All the hostels are within close proximity, and a small store nearby provides essentials like alcohol and snacks. With the beach situated near everything, it’s effortless to explore and reach any destination you desire.
Best things to do in El Paredon Guatemala
Surf
El Paredon is well known as a surf destination in Guatemala. You can either rent a surf board or you can take surf courses. Pretty much all the hostels in El Paredon offer this activity.
⇒ BE CAREFUL
Although El Paredon Guatemala is really popular for surfing, the ocean’s current is very intense. There is something called “rip current” which tends to always bring you back to the ocean. The current moves away from the shore and passes through the waves to go back in the ocean. So it can be pretty dangerous even if you know how to swim.
During our stay, we encountered two challenging situations, and we feel it’s important to share our experiences for your awareness. The first incident occurred while I was enjoying a swim in the ocean; everything appeared normal initially. However, when I attempted to return to the shore, despite my best efforts, the current proved too strong. Olivier came to my aid, but we both became ensnared in the current. Fortunately, our luck turned as a surfer nearby assisted us in making our way back to safety. Even with three people on the surfboard, extricating ourselves from the current was a formidable task. The relief we felt upon reaching safety was immense, given the rather harrowing nature of the situation.
The second incident occurred while we were lounging on the beach when someone urgently called for our assistance. A girl pointed us toward a guy who was struggling in the current. Given the absence of boats and lifeguards on the beach, our immediate reaction was to seek help from surfers at the hostel. Upon reaching the hostel, we learned that other surfers were already on their way to assist him. However, upon returning to the beach, there was no trace of the guy, and no one could provide information on his whereabouts. Despite extensive efforts from everyone on the beach, he was not found, leading us to fear the worst. It serves as a stark reminder to exercise extreme caution when venturing into the ocean. Here are some tips if you plan on going:
You have many options when you stay here. You can book a bed in regular dorms (Q125/night) or in deluxe dorms (Q150/night) which have a view on the river and a private fan.
If you want more privacy, you can book a semi-private or a private room. The semi-private rooms are like a loft and cost Q300 per night. For the private ones, the prices go from Q300 to Q500 per night. There are many levels of luxury you can have here at Zephyr Lodge. You can also share a room with other people like family or friends for a maximum of 6 people.
During our stay, as Elizabeth’s birthday coincided with our time at Zephyr Lodge, we initially had our sights set on the deluxe room 8. However, when bookings opened, it was quickly claimed. Despite this, we were not disappointed with our eventual choice of private room 7. It proved to be a delightful space equipped with A/C and a private bathroom. Our advice would be to promptly book the room you desire as soon as reservations become available.
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- Read the rip current signs in the hostels and inform you from locals and employees.
- If you get caught in the current, don’t try to fight it. Instead, you better go to the left or right depending where the current is going.
- It would be more cautious to go in the water with a surfboard since you can lay on it and take your breath.
- Depending on where you are on the beach, the rip current can be less or more intense. We were told that just in front of the Driftwood Surfer was the worst part of the beach for rip currents.
- Never go alone in the water in case something happens and stay close to the shore.
After our bad experiences, we talked with several people who had a similar experience. Since there’s no boats, no lifeguards and no hospital nearby, we think that it’s really important that you are aware of the danger.
With that said, it’s important to note that many people surf in El Paredon Guatemala without any issues. It remains a truly delightful spot with a positive vibe. However, it’s crucial to ensure you take all necessary precautions before entering the ocean.
SUP/Kayak
Another enjoyable activity to consider in El Paredon Guatemala is stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking in the mangrove. Numerous hostels provide these tours, and you can inquire at the front desk for more information.
The tours typically take you to the Sipacate-Naranjo Nature Reserve, offering an opportunity to explore the mangrove jungle. As these tours are not overly time-consuming, you can easily incorporate them into your schedule and still have ample time to relish the beach before or after.
Helping baby turtles getting to shore at sunrise
Ah, this activity was undoubtedly one of our favorites on the trip. We experienced it at the Driftwood Surfer hostel.
Given that poaching baby turtles is unfortunately still legal in Guatemala, the hostel takes a commendable approach by purchasing eggs from poachers to prevent them from entering the black market.
These eggs are then carefully placed in an incubator, where they are monitored until they hatch. When the baby turtles are prepared to make their journey to the ocean, participants have the incredible opportunity to assist them in reaching the water, thereby enhancing their chances of survival.
To participate in this activity, you can easily book it at the front desk when available (the season typically begins in September).
The meeting point is at the beach in front of the hostel at 5:45 AM, and it’s just a short 5-10 minute walk to reach the turtles. Upon arrival, the turtles are placed in baskets and brought near the water. As they are released, you have the unique opportunity to assist them in making their way to the ocean.
Trust us, it’s a breathtaking moment you won’t want to miss, especially with the backdrop of a perfect sunrise on the beach. While the activity is free, donations are highly appreciated and contribute to the meaningful turtle protection project. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary experience!
Watching amazing sunsets on the beach
What better way to conclude your day at the beach than with a refreshing drink, settling back, and savoring the incredible view? The unforgettable sunsets in El Paredon Guatemala never fail to impress.
Play volleyball on the beach
Some hostels like the Driftwood Surfer have a volleyball court. It’s always a nice activity to do at the beach. While the sand is too hot during the day, the golden hour is the perfect time to play and have some fun.
Play beer pong in the pool
The Driftwood Surfer elevates the party atmosphere with a beer pong table in the pool—an ideal setup for a good time. And if that’s not enough, there’s even a pool bar. With the warm weather in El Paredon, it’s safe to say that it adds a refreshing touch to the experience.
Parties between hostels
While there’s no clubs in El Perdon Guatemala, many hostels host parties on different nights of the week. So, one night you can go to the Mellow Surf Hostel, the other night to the Driftwood Surfer, etc. It’s perfect for making new friends and to visit different hostels.
Where to stay in El Paredon Guatemala
If you’re looking for a cute and cozy place to stay in El Paredon Guatemala, Mellow Surf Hostel is definitely where you should stay. We booked our room via Airbnb, but we would recommend booking on their website directly since it’s cheaper.
Our room was definitely the best we had during our trip. We had a queen size bed, a lot of storage to put our luggage, a private bathroom and A/C. It was also very clean, cute and near everything; the front desk, the bar/restaurant and the pool. They also have dorms which look very cute.
The food and cocktails were also very good and the staff was really nice. They also propose what they call “family dinner” once a week. You have to book your dinner during the day and it’s a buffet where everyone sits together. It’s a nice way to make new friends. They also offer plenty of activities from yoga to salsa classes to SUP and kayak tours.
Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at the Mellow Surf Hostel and would definitely recommend it to anyone going to El Paredon. The only thing is that it’s not located directly on the beach. It’s about a 2 minute walk to get to the beach so it’s not so bad either.
If you’re seeking a more vibrant and backpacker-oriented atmosphere, the Driftwood Surfer is the ideal place to stay. The overall vibe is distinctly surfer-centric, creating a lively and enjoyable environment.
While our experience was positive, there were a few aspects that didn’t quite meet our expectations. In comparison to Mellow Surf Hostel, the buildings are older and less tidy. Our private room with A/C had a fixed schedule, opening at night and closing during the day, which meant bedtime could still be warm. The open-sky showers might not suit everyone, and the presence of bugs and dirt is something to consider.
Despite these considerations, the Driftwood Surfer offers many enticing features. Their nightly buffet is a highlight with excellent food. The beachfront location adds to the appeal, and they provide various recreational amenities, including a volleyball court, a pool bar, a beer pong table in the pool, ping pong tables, and a unique turtle release activity.
Even though the comfort level wasn’t on par with Mellow Surf Hostel, we still had a genuinely enjoyable time at the Driftwood Surfer.
Final recommendation
Finally, which hostel you should choose really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a comfortable, cute and relaxed hostel, you should go to Mellow Surf Hostel. If you’re more on an adventure backpacker vibe and want to party, we suggest you the Driftwood Surfer.
Where to eat in El Paredon Guatemala
If you’re looking for healthy and fresh breakfast, we totally recommend this restaurant. They have a smoothie bowl which is sooo good! Their lattes are also very good and it’s a really cute boho vibe.
The regular menu at Driftwood Surfer offered good but not extraordinary food. However, the real culinary highlight was their nightly buffets. To participate, you needed to reserve your spot during the day, and each night featured a themed buffet, ranging from Italian to Greek and more. These themed buffets were exceptionally well-prepared and added a delightful culinary experience to our stay.
As we said earlier, the food and cocktails are really good at the Mellow. They offer different types of food from healthy to burgers and pastas.
Cafecito del mar
If you’re looking for healthy and fresh breakfast, we totally recommend this restaurant. They have a smoothie bowl which is sooo good! Their lattes are also very good and it’s a really cute boho vibe.
Driftwood Surfer
The regular menu at Driftwood Surfer offered good but not extraordinary food. However, the real culinary highlight was their nightly buffets. To participate, you needed to reserve your spot during the day, and each night featured a themed buffet, ranging from Italian to Greek and more. These themed buffets were exceptionally well-prepared and added a delightful culinary experience to our stay.
Mellow Surf Hostel
As we said earlier, the food and cocktails are really good at the Mellow. They offer different types of food from healthy to burgers and pastas.
Good to know
El Paredon Guatemala is a really small town near the beach. While there are many hotels and hostels, there’s no real grocery stores. There’s a small store to buy some snacks and alcohol. But even if it’s a small town, there’s an ATM to withdraw money.
The weather in El Paredon Guatemala is pretty intense (45 °C) so don’t forget to bring your bottle of water when going to the beach. As well as your tongs since the black sand gets really hot.
El Paredon is a really nice spot in Guatemala. While we truly enjoyed our time there, we strongly recommend you to read our surf section for safety tips. Ocean is such a treasure, but it can be very powerful. It’s better to take more precautions than not enough and you’ll be sure to have a wonderful time and make good memories. Enjoy!
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