More about the secluded surfer paradise on the Pacific coast of Guatemala!

Places to stay:

There are a bunch of places to stay in el Paredon and most of them are right in the same area. And in general, they all have the same down-to-earth surfer vibe that matches this small town. To categorize them I will rank them in order of Luxury to Budget based on style and amenities— not necessarily price.

Swell Hotel - the nicest hotel in el paredon
Surya Airbnb - the nicest airbnb in el paredon
Kaana Hotel - good hotel with perfect pool
Paredon Surf Hotel - fun spot to meet travelers
Driftwood Hostel - the party hostel in paredon
Hidden Wave Airbnb - budget airbnb in a great location

Restaurants:

You might not think that you would find some of the best thai and pizza in a small surfer town on the coast of Guatemala. But, el Paredon might surprise you. In no particular order, these are my favorite places to eat.

Sandras: Super local spot in a comedor style. Sandras is as real as it gets cooking up whole fish, shrimp pasta and fresh lemonade.
Pacifico: Delicious pizza period.
Soul Kitchen: Surprisingly good asian food including pad thai, stir fry and curries.
Chef in Flip Flops: An actual chef preparing small portions of local cuisine. Limited hours, open until sold out.
Driftwood: This party hostel has got some amazing fish tacos.
On the Beach: Here in Guatemala it is perfectly find to bring your favorite cerveza and comida to the beach. Please pick up your trash after ;)

To do:

Wear shoes on the beach! The beach is volcanic black sand, meaning between 10am-3pm it will burn your feet. Even in flip-flops, the hot sand can sneak in and burn ya. Besides that, lounging, drinking, swimming is all there is to really do.

Surf Lesson: Almost all the hotels have their own surf boards and instructors. I’ve had a few different instructors and my favorite is Pedro. @pedrito_pia on instagram.
Local Tours: The social enterprise La Choza Chula offers a ton of different locals tours and volunteer opportunities.
Mellow: This new hostel has a fun and fresh vibe. Go hang out, have a drink, and lounge at the pool because between 12-2pm its the only place to keep cool.
Sunset: Every day at about 4:30 the entire town goes to the beach to enjoy the sunset. Most of the advanced surfers are out in the water providing entertainment as the sky turns gorgeous oranges and pinks.
Car Ferry: On your way out of Paredon take the road less traveled. There is a local boat ferry that can drop you off on the back roads towards your return home.