el paredon; 10-day itinerary guatemala

Best Hostels in El Paredon: 7 Hostels That Check All the Boxes

ByPhillip

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If you are a beach lover and ever visit Guatemala, you must travel to one of the fastest-growing locations in the country in El Paredon. This is a black sand beach on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala that is famous for its waves and parties. If you already know you want to visit here and are looking for the best hostels in El Paredon, you have come to the right place.

As I said previously, this is a fast-growing location in Guatemala. I’m sure there will be new hostels in El Paredon that weren’t there when I visited.

There was a lot of construction going on around us but the area still had that much wanted the secluded feel to it. This area is on my bucket list of places to return to.

hostels el paredon

Where is El Paredon Located in Guatemala?

El Paredon is located in the Southern Region of Guatemala on the Pacific Coast. It is 2 hours from Antigua and around 3 hours from Lake Atitlan.

When I visited there were no ATMs in the entire town. This can change by the time you visit but be sure to bring enough cash with you for your stay. Most hostels in El Paredon do use credit cards but those could come with fees.

Quick Overview: The Best Hostels in El Paredon

10 day itinerary guatemala, hostels el paredon

Best Hostels in El Paredon

El Paredon is a surfer’s paradise and a great break from areas like Antigua and Lake Atitlan. One of my favorite ways to set up an itinerary is to do a lot of adventurous activities, such as hiking, and then end the trip at the beach to relax/recover.

If you want more freedom to look at the hostels yourself, you can always visit Hostelworld’s website.

Best Party Hostel in El Paredon

Driftwood Surfer is one of the more well-known hostels in El Paredon if you want to meet new people and party a lot. You might also see many people staying here doing activities around Guatemala like Hiking Volcan Acatenango.

I only visited here one night to play a beer pong tournament. It seems that in this beach town, every night, there is a new party at a different hostel that everyone in town goes to.

  • Beachfront Pool
  • ~$16 USD Per Night
  • Rooftop Restaurant
  • Baby Turtle Release

Best Cheap Hostel in El Paredon

Hostal Mi Casa en La Playa is one of the cheapest hostels in El Paredon but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. With an 8.1 star review on Hostelworld, you will definitely get your money’s worth. Unfortunately, there is no A/C at this hostel but there is a pool and many fans.

This is the perfect place if you just want a place to sleep. The pool and amenities are the best when compared to others, but they get the job done. There is also free breakfast, which is always a great added perk.

  • Beachfront Property
  • ~$10 USD
  • Free Breakfast and Coffee
  • Quality Restaurant

Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in El Paredon

Mellow Hostel is one of the most popular hostels in El Paredon and for good reason. Everyone I ran into seemed to have nothing bad to say about the place. It is easy to meet people, with amazing-looking properties, and good amenities. The only issue for me is that it wasn’t a beachfront property and was at the same price as others that were.

You can always visit here as there will be parties going on that many people will be at.

  • Many Activities
  • Great Food/Drink Selection
  • Picturesque Building
  • ~$18 USD

Best Overall Hostel in El Pardeon: Cocori Lodge

Cocori Lodge is in my opinion the best overall hostel in El Paredon. I may be a little bit biased here as this is where I stayed but you can see for yourself. The combination of amenities, beachfront, fantastic pool, great bar scene, and moderate pricing makes this the top choice in my eyes.

The price has jumped in the last year due to the region’s growing popularity but it is well spent. They also just completed new rooms that are slightly more expensive but look amazing.

The food here is also to die for. I miss it already.

  • ~$17 USD
  • Beachfront Property
  • Amazing Restaurant
  • Great Pool
  • Wonderful Staff

More Best Hostels in El Paredon

The list above is some of the best hostels you can stay at in El Paredon. This is a growing area so there are plenty more places to choose from if you don’t like those or they are fully booked.

Hotel Evenezer

Hotel Evenezer is a great place for a private room that is still close to the beach. These rooms are very spacious and have A/C. You will also get your own private bathroom.

Like many places in El Paredon, it has a pool if you want to relax here instead of by the beach.

  • ~$62 USD for a Private Room
  • TV in Room
  • Away from the Late Night Noise

Bedrooms Where Charlie

Bedrooms Where Charlie was just opening up as I arrived in El Paredon last year, so nobody really knew about it. It is located on the main road, very close to Cocori Lodge.

It has received an 8.9 rating on Hostelworld out of almost 60 reviews. Be sure to check this place out!

  • Mangrove Tours
  • Kitchen
  • Wifi
  • ~$15 USD

Paredon Surf House

Paredon Surf House is another unique beachfront property in El Paredon. This location has great reviews for it how clean it is kept. This is a top location for couples looking for a spot away from the madness.

Everything is always still within walking distance but it is nice to be away from the main party hostel section. If I visit here again, this will be at the top of my list of places to stay.

  • Free Wifi
  • Airport Shuttle
  • An Amazing Pool
  • Restaurant
  • ~$61 for Private Room w/ Seaview

How to Get to El Paredon

Despite how remote El Paredon seems, it is actually relatively easy to get here. Shuttles leave every day from popular locations in Guatemala.

Below, I will explain multiple options for coming from Lake Atitlan and Antigua.

Lake Atitlan to El Paredon

  • 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 is possible to go straight from San Pedro La Laguna instead of meeting in Panajachel but this isn’t suggested.
    • If you leave from San Pedro, the shuttle will first go to Antigua then El Paredon whereas leaving from Panajachel is a straight shot
  • The cost of the shuttle from Panajachel to El Paredon costs around Q180.

Antigua to El Paredon

  • 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. You will have to transfer busses and then take a tuk-tuk when you get closer to town
    • This doesn’t save that much money and a shuttle is still more cost-effective
  • If you have a group of people then an uber can be a good choice. It will cost between $50 and $60 USD
  • You will not have to get on a boat when coming from Antigua

Things to do in El Paredon

After booking your hostel in El Paredon, you may wonder what activities you can do there. Besides partying and relaxing, this area has many great things to offer.

This area is home to Mangroves, which is popular to paddle board through. There is a company called La Choza Chula which is a non-profit organization that runs different tours and activities throughout the area.

Below are some of the activities that you can do when visiting:

  • Surf in the World Class Waves
  • Visit Local Mangroves
  • Turtle Releasing Tour (Date Dependent)
  • Guatemala Cooking Class
  • Homestays
  • Bracelet Making Class
  • Party

Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in El Paredon

This list could change monthly, as new hostels and hotels are popping up often. The bar has been set high, especially for these beachfront properties. Each hostel has different things to offer, and I hope you were able to find one that suits your needs. I highly suggest staying at Cocori Lodge, but you can’t go wrong with any hostel/hotel on this list.

Thank you for reading my guide on the best hostels in El Paredon!

Phillip Anderson is a travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast from Virginia Beach. Growing up, he spent most of his days either hiking in the Shenandoah, going to the beach, or working out. He has traveled to 32 countries and has embarked on various challenging multi-day treks in diverse terrains around the world–most notably, in Peru, Ecuador, and the US. These treks have taken him through some of the most pristine landscapes in the world. They’ve also taught him a lot about the importance of having the right outdoor gear to thoroughly enjoy the experience.

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