After climbing volcano Acatenango and visiting the hilly region of Lake Atitlán, El Paredon is the perfect place to unwind and relax by the beach and refill your vitamin D levels.
El Paredon is a tiny beach town on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala, about 2,5 hours from Antigua. I hadn’t even planned on visiting this beach town but one thing led to another and I ended up there. And let me tell you, I’m so glad that I did! A drive on a sand-covered and bumpy dirt road through the middle of nowhere leads to this hidden gem of Guatemala.
El Paredon is a surf spot and it has a beautiful and wild black sand beach. Besides the beach, there is not much infrastructure except for a few hostels and restaurants.
Apparently, El Paredon was only discovered a few years ago, which explains why it’s still so small and secluded. But the remote beach town is becoming more popular among travelers and is growing rapidly. Some people call El Paredon the Puerto Escondido of Guatemala.
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Things to know before you go to El Paredon
- There’s no ATM in El Paredon, so bring enough cash with you.
- There are only a few hostels and hotels in El Paredon and most of the days they are fully booked. Make sure to book your stay in advance.
- The WIFI can be weak or even break away sometimes.
- There’s no supermarket in El Paredon, only a “Super 24” which is the Guatemalan equivalent of a Seven Eleven.
How to get to El Paredon, Guatemala
Despite its remote location on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala, El Paredon is quite easily reachable from Antigua. There is a shuttle that leaves everyday at 9 am and at 2 pm from Antigua.
The company that runs the shuttle is called Neway Tours and they charge 110 QTZ (13 EUR) each way. They will pick you up at your accommodation in Antigua and then drop you off at your accommodation in El Paredon. It’s very convenient and if there’s not too much traffic, it will take you about 2,5 hours to get there.
Where to stay in El Paredon, Guatemala
Accommodation options in El Paredon are extremely limited and the demand is high. Most hostels are always fully booked so make sure to book your stay in advance or you will end up sleeping on the beach (you wouldn’t be the first one).
Driftwood Surfer Hostel
Driftwood Surfer Hostel is the main party hostel in town. They offer dorms and privates for an economic price and the hostel bar attracts lots of party people in the evenings.
Cocorí Lodge
Cocorí Lodge is where I stayed and I absolutely loved it. It offers nice amenities including a swimming pool, a gym and a yoga room overlooking the ocean. If you prefer not to stay in the party hostel, but in a more quiet one, Cocorí Lodge is your perfect place.
My friend and I booked the private suite at Cocorí Lodge because all the other rooms were fully booked. It has a king size bed, a private bathroom and it could host up to 4 people.
I would definitely recommend staying at Cocorí Lodge. They also offer great food and cheap drinks.
Things to do in El Paredon
El Paredon is tiny, so besides surfing and relaxing on the beach there’s not that much to do.
Surf in El Paredon
If you want to go surfing in El Paredon, you can either rent a board at your accommodation or at a rental shop in town. Renting a surf board costs about 150 QTZ (18 EUR) per day.
You can also book a private surf lesson at the Paredon Surf House. It costs about 180 QTZ (21 EUR) per hour and it includes the rental of the board.
Party in El Paredon
In many cases, a surf town is also a party town. And this is also true for El Paredon. A crowd of young international backpackers is always in the mood for a good party. Check out the bar at Driftwood Hostel for good music and cheap drinks. They do small events like beer pong or flip cup and sometimes they have a live DJ.
When the hostel bar closes, there’s usually an after party on the beach or in a different location. Just follow the crowd and you will know.
Watch the sunset
There’s not much to say about this one. Sit on the warm sand and watch the beautiful spectacle of the sun going down behind the Pacific Ocean.
Take a walk on the endless beach
The volcanic beach of El Paredon is seemingly endless. I tried to find out how long it actually is, but I never saw an end on any side and also nobody could tell me. So it’s pretty long.
What I love about this beach is how wild and untouched it still is. There are no hotel resorts lined along the coast. If anything, you will see some basic bungalows with roofs made of dried leaves. In Guatemala, all beaches are public because it’s illegal to privatise a beach. I think that’s pretty cool as it gives everyone the chance to enjoy it, also those who cannot afford to stay in a hotel.
El Paredon vs. Monterrico
El Paredon attracts mainly international backpackers and surfers, while Monterrico is the place to go for Guatemalan people. El Paredon is tiny, while Monterrico is bigger with more tourist infrastructure.
In the end it’s up to you if you prefer the international vibe of the hip surf village El Paredon, or the more local and more developed vibe of Monterrico.
Is El Paredon a safe place to visit?
The worst thing that can happen to you in El Paredon is getting a sunburn. Jokes aside – El Paredon is pretty safe. Just be careful when swimming in the ocean. There can be a strong current and if you go too far out it might pull you in. But other than that, this little surf town is a very peaceful place where nobody will harm you.
February 26, 2022 at 12:37 pm
I love out-of-the-way places like this. Unfortunately it sounds like quite a Gringotenango.
February 26, 2022 at 4:04 pm
My friend lives in Guatemala but never mentioned this gem – wonderful photos and I hope I can visit it one day.
March 6, 2022 at 9:25 pm
I hope you get the chance to visit someday!
February 26, 2022 at 5:51 pm
This looks like a beautiful coastal town to stay at for a few days. The sunset along the beach is so pretty.
March 6, 2022 at 9:24 pm
It’s an amazing place for a beach getaway 🙂
February 26, 2022 at 7:28 pm
This looks like a perfect place to relax and disconnect for a few days.
March 6, 2022 at 9:23 pm
It definitely is!
February 27, 2022 at 7:53 am
One word for El Paredon – EXOTIC.
January 20, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Is it safe for a girl to trave to this beach?
January 21, 2023 at 4:55 am
Yes it’s definitely safe 🙂