Where to Stay in El Paredon
El Paredon is a laidback little beach town in Guatemala that I absolutely loved. It’s known for its great surfing, and it’s conveniently located about 2.5 hours from Antigua on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala.
Is El Paredon worth visiting? Absolutely! I think El Paredon is a fantastic destination if you’re looking to do some surfing or just relax on the beach and enjoy a slower pace of life for a couple of days.
Once a quiet fishing village, it’s now growing in popularity with visitors as a surfing destination. Even if you don’t know how to surf, there are plenty of other things to do in El Paredon, such as:
- Relaxing by the pool (most accommodation options have one) or on the black sand beaches
- Watch sea turtles feeding year-round at the turtle sanctuary in El Paredon (and depending on what time of year you visit, you may even be able to see the baby sea turtles hatch!)
- Go paddle-boarding in the ocean (a great way to get out on the water if you don’t surf)
- Take a boat tour through the nearby mangroves and visit the beaches of la barra, which is the point where the river meets the ocean (this is an especially cool activity to do at sunset)
- Volunteer or take a tour with La Choza Chula, a social enterprise that benefits the local community
- Take surfing lessons (most accommodations in El Paredon offer them)
El Paredon is a very small town, and so you can accomplish a lot in just two or three days.
To get to El Paredon, you can take a shared shuttle from Antigua, which costs around $15 USD each way. Don’t make the same mistake I did and get caught without cash while you’re there! Be sure to take out plenty of cash before you leave Antigua, because there are no ATMs once you get to El Paredon.
Most places are cash-only, so it definitely helps to have plenty of money on you here.
Best Places to Stay in El Paredon
Although El Paredon is tiny, lots of new accommodation options are opening up.
Some of them are extremely basic (think a wooden hut on the beach), but there are also some nicer design-focused boutique hotels that have air-conditioned rooms and other amenities.
I’m definitely a fan of higher-end hotels, and if you’re the same way, your options will be limited in El Paredon. But if you aren’t too bothered about where you stay, you can find lots of options.
Here are my top picks for where to stay in El Paredon:
- Best for a splurge: Swell Surf & Lifestyle Hotel
- Best on a budget: Mellow Hostel
And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels and hostels in El Paredon:
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Swell Surf & Lifestyle Hotel
Swell Surf & Lifestyle Hotel is by far one of the nicest hotels in El Paredon. Although I did not stay here, I visited it, and I would love to stay here in the future. It’s very highly rated and has lots of amenities.
Guests can choose from rooms with and without air conditioning. The rooms with air conditioning are more expensive, and this is definitely one of the pricier places to stay in town. But it’s a beautiful hotel with an amazing design, and great amenities like a lovely swimming pool, free WiFi, and a yummy restaurant.
They also offer surfboard rentals and surfing lessons. This is my top pick for where to stay in El Paredon, whether you want to surf or you just want to enjoy some time relaxing by the beach and the pool.
Mellow Hostel
Mellow Hostel is another one of the top places to stay in El Paredon. While I did not stay here either, I got a day pass and spent the day here, and loved it. They have a great pool, a delicious on-site restaurant, and plenty of spaces for lazing around, like hammocks and outdoor lounge areas.
If you’re looking for a design-focused, quality place to stay on a budget, this is a great option. They have affordable dorm rooms, as well as more luxurious private rooms, so there’s an option for every budget.
Mellow Hostel is also known for having some of the best WiFi in town, and they have a dedicated coworking space. They also offer free yoga classes, as well as surfboard rentals and surf lessons.
Paredon Surf House
Paredon Surf House is a laidback hotel right on the beach. As the name implies, this is a great place to stay if you’re into surfing, and they offer surfboard rentals and surfing lessons for beginners.
There are a variety of different accommodation options to choose from, ranging from a female-only dorm to private beachfront bungalows. Paredon Surf House also offers a pool, free WiFi, and an on-site restaurant.
The Driftwood Surfer
The Driftwood Surfer is another top-rated accommodation in El Paredon that is located right on the beach. This hotel is for 18+ only, so it’s not a good option for families with children.
There’s a swimming pool, surfboards to rent, surf lessons, a beach volleyball court, and a cool rooftop restaurant where you can eat a fresh and delicious meal while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
If you’re like me and can’t go without air conditioning, The Driftwood Surfer has all air-conditioned rooms, and some of the best prices in town, making this a great budget-friendly option.
Pacifico El Paredon
Pacifico El Paredon is a hotel that receives good ratings from travelers, although it’s not one of the top-rated places to stay. Still, this is a good option if you’re looking for a comfortable hotel in El Paredon.
You can choose from air-conditioned rooms and rooms without air conditioning. There’s a nice pool, an on-site restaurant, free WiFi, and lots of hammocks and areas for lounging around.
Cocori Lodge
Cocori Lodge is where some of my friends stayed in El Paredon, and they liked it. However, it’s pretty basic, but if you want to save money, it’s a good place to stay. It’s also a fun place to stay with a pool, surfboard rentals, surf lessons, an on-site restaurant, and a good location right on the beach.
There are dorms, private bungalows, and private rooms available. Some of the private rooms have air conditioning and private bathrooms, but most of the accommodations have shared bathrooms.
Kaana Surf Resort
If you’re looking for somewhere that is comfortable and design-focused for your stay in El Paredon, look no further than Kaana Surf Resort. This is a highly rated and higher-end place to stay.
While it’s definitely one of the pricier places to stay in El Paredon, the rooms here all feature amenities like air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, private decks, and tasteful style. The hotel also has a swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, surfboard rentals, surfing lessons, and other activities.
Where to Stay in El Paredon, Guatemala: My Top Picks
This guide showed you the best hotels in El Paredon, Guatemala.
To recap, my top three picks for where to stay are:
- Best for a splurge: Swell Surf & Lifestyle Hotel
- Best on a budget: Mellow Hostel
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in El Paredon!
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