El Paredon, Guatemala: Things to do & Where to Stay
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El Paredon is an up-and-coming destination in Guatemala. This isn’t the normal beach destination that you will see in other areas around Central America. It is truly a quiet surf destination in an unlikely place.
When we arrived here, it felt so remote, and that’s why I fell in love with this place. There aren’t a ton of restaurants, coffee shops, or hotels in the area, but they aren’t needed!
I hope it stays like this in some ways as it is being built up quickly due to its growing popularity.
I stayed here for four nights back in March and it was a nice way to end our time in Guatemala. With its close proximity to Lake Atitlan (3 hours) and Antigua (2 hours), it makes it great for weekend trips.
Some activities here include watching baby turtles hatch, DJ parties, meeting new people, exploring the mangroves, and, of course, surfing!
In most hostels, you can stay at a beachfront property for a great price. If you are a big surfer and love relaxing by the pool, then I highly suggest you visit El Paredon in Guatemala.
How to Get to El Paredon
Despite how remote El Paredon seems, it is actually quite easy to get here. Shuttles leave every day from popular locations in Guatemala.
Below, I will explain multiple options when coming from Lake Atitlan and Antigua.
Lake Atitlan to El Paredon
Antigua to El Paredon
Coming from Antigua will only take around 2 hours compared to around 3 hours from Panajachel.
Where to Stay in El Paredon, Guatemala
There are fewer accommodations to choose from here than at other popular tourist attractions in Guatemala.
Because of this, you are advised to try to book well in advance if you want a specific place to stay.
Driftwood Surfer
Driftwood Surfer is by far the most popular hostel amongst backpackers. It has a pool (with a bar inside), a volleyball court outside, and pool tables.
When I visited it, I didn’t think it was the best hostel. Although it is right on the beachfront, it was the same price as nicer hostels.
They do have a huge sea turtle conservation project that you must check out if you come during the sea turtle hatching season.
- Beachfront Pool
- ~$16 USD Per Night
- Easiest Hostel to Meet People
- Rooftop Restaurant
- Baby Turtle Release
Mellow Hostel
The Mellow hostel is a bit pricier compared to the other options in the area but for good reason.
Located a little bit more inland than the rest (a 5-minute walk to the beach) it is a nice place to relax and get away from the beachfront party vibes.
Don’t get me wrong, though. People still want to party here. There isn’t much Wi-Fi anywhere in town, but Mellow Hostel would be your best bet for finding that.
Day passes are available if you want to use their pool and aren’t a guest.
- Many Activities Throughout the Week
- Best Quality
- Great Food/Drink Selection
- Picturesque Building
- ~$18 USD
Cocori Hostel
Cocori Hostel is another popular beachfront property that not as many people know about. This is where we stayed and we loved it!
We got a recommendation from the owner of our hotel when visiting Semuc Champey. It costs only $1 USD more than Driftwood Surfer but has a much bigger pool and a relaxing daytime vibe.
The dorm rooms aren’t bunk beds, which I see as a huge plus.
- ~$15 USD
- Beachfront Property
- Yoga Studio + Gym
- Surfing Lessons
- Amazing Restaurant
- Great Pool
- Wonderful Staff
If you want more information on the other places you can stay here, then check out my article on the best hostels in El Paredon!
Things to do in El Paredon
If you want to visit El Paredon, you must know there isn’t much to do here. At the end of the day, this is a quiet beach town, and the main activities are surfing, chilling, and partying.
There are some other cool activities in this area that you can do if those aren’t your thing. You might be wondering if this town is safe. It is a very safe place to visit but you should always be careful of the street dogs.
Surf
This is easily the most popular activity for people who come to El Paredon. The waves are amazing but only at certain parts of the day.
Between the hours of 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. Besides, it is practically not worth grabbing your board to head out there, which is sad.
You will soon get used to it as you see no one else surfing during those other hours of the day. Go and grab a board from your hostel and start shredding!
Visit the Local Mangroves
A few streets behind the main area is a river surrounded by trees. This is a popular place to take a kayak or paddleboard to explore the mangroves.
You can book a tour through La Choza Chula. This non-profit tour company is famous in El Paredon for its tours. Some of the other activities you can book through them include:
- Turtle Tour
- Guatemalan Cooking Experience
- Bracelet Making Class
- Homestays
Party
As you will soon find out, partying is very popular in this area of Guatemala. You may think to yourself that you want to stay at the “party hostel” but in reality, the whole town congregates in one area/hostel every night.
Each night, someone different puts on an event, and that’s where you will see everyone. I saw many of the same people night after night, which made this town seem very close-knit.
Some of the events that happen are beer pong tournaments and trivia nights.
Walk Along the Beach
El Paredon is famous for its black sand beaches. Often, you will be sitting on the beach and only be able to see so far because of the darkness of the sand reflecting.
It’s a wild feeling and very unique. It is nice to walk along the water to see the other parts of the area and to truly see how remote you are.
Be sure to wear shoes, as the sand gets extremely hot!
Relax by the Pool
After a morning surf or if you’re waking up from last night’s party, it is never a bad time to relax by the pool.
Many hostels in the area have pools, but if yours doesn’t, then you can easily get a day pass. Some of these days’ passes even come with drink vouchers.
The weather here was great every single day I was there. There was not a single cloud in the sky, so it was the perfect time to go swimming.
Lay in a Hammock
This activity is one of my personal favorites. There is nothing like relaxing in a hammock in the afternoon while a breeze cools you off.
Many hostels will have a set of their own and Airbnb’s. If you have a portable one then that is even better! There are some good spots along the beachfront where you can set it up.
Eat Local Food
Depending on when you decide to visit, there won’t be a ton of restaurants that you are used to having. We mostly ate at our hostel (Cocori), and they served amazing food.
We were never disappointed. We did walk around and eat out a couple of times. One of those times, we stopped at Zicatela, and we loved it. I got the fish tacos, which were amazing.
Watch the Sunset
What a perfect way to end your trip here than to watch this area’s amazing sunset. In fact, you might as well watch it every night!
People come from all around to flock to the beach and watch one of the best sunsets in the whole country. The sun gets extremely red and big.
The sand becomes less hot, which is a great time to walk down the beach and explore. Many surfers come during this time as it is also one of the best times to go out.
Things to Know Before Visiting
Like I’ve mentioned throughout this article, this is a small beach town. But it’s also growing. What I say now could be different in a few months.
New hostels, beach hotels, and other businesses are being built all the time. Below are a few tips/facts that are nice to know before visiting this beach paradise.
- No ATMs: When I visited in 2022, there were no ATMs. Most accommodations will take a credit card but I suggest to bring some cash with you as well.
- No Wifi: It wouldn’t be a true adventure if high-speed internet was readily available. Some hotels might have decent Wifi, but overall, I suggest expecting to have none.
- Black Sand: the sand here can get quite hot, and that’s due to its dark color. This is due a lot of volcanic activity over the years in the country.
My Final Thoughts on this Beach Paradise
I didn’t expect El Paredon in Guatemala when visiting. I know Guatemala from the many volcanos and the beautiful Lake Atitlan. You don’t really think about Guatemala having an amazing beach scene, but it does. Whether you are a big surfer or looking to relax for a few days, I highly suggest coming here.
Thank you for all the info about el paredon, in my next trip to guatemala, I’ll defininetly go visit that beautiful place.
Yes, you should! It’s developing quite fast there and for good reason.