Major city · Guatemala
El Paredón
Go for 2–3 nights if you surf or want a quiet beach town with turtle releases and lagoon trips; skip if you need nightlife or strong infrastructure.
El Paredón is a laid-back fishing village on Guatemala's Pacific coast, known among surfers for consistent waves and black-sand beaches. The town is small — a few blocks of dirt roads — but the adjacent Sipacate-Naranjo National Park offers mangrove lagoons and sea-turtle nesting. Infrastructure is limited: one paved road, patchy WiFi, and basic accommodation. Most visitors come for 2–3 nights, combining surf sessions with boat trips into the wetlands.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, best surf)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, rougher sea, fewer turtles)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for El Paredón110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about El Paredón, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyEl Paredón is generally safe for tourists, but the main risk is the ocean: strong rip currents and no lifeguards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numberscheck110 police · 122/123 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (check) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 3–4 h by shuttle or bus).
- Getting aroundWalk the town — it's only a few blocks.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (local café)Q10–20
- BeerBeer (bottle in a shop)Q10–15
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi to Puerto San JosécheckQ100–150
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 80
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (hostel or guesthouse), a night, per roomGTQ 400
- High-end bedPrivate room (hostel or guesthouse), a night, per roomGTQ 700
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 450 · High GTQ 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 3–4 h by shuttle or bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (18 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
El Paredón: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the town — it's only a few blocks. For nearby beaches or the national park, hire a taxi or a lancha (boat) from the beach. Bicycles are sometimes available at hostels.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Taxi or shuttle, about 45 min
Another black-sand beach town with turtle hatcheries and a biotope.
Puerto San José
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Taxi, about 30 min
Larger port town with more services and a marina.
Sipacate-Naranjo National Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Boat (lancha) from the beach, about 20 min
Mangrove channels, birdwatching, and turtle nesting beaches.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beachfront strip
Most hostels and hotels are along the main dirt road parallel to the beach; walking distance to surf breaks and restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q350–600 excl. bed
- High
- Q600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (hostel or guesthouse)1 × 2 nights × GTQ 400 | GTQ 800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × GTQ 450 | GTQ 1,800 |
| Shuttle from Antigua, one way2 × GTQ 150 · check | GTQ 300 |
| Boat tour of mangroves, about 2 h1 × GTQ 300 · check | GTQ 300 |
| eSIM for a week of data2 × GTQ 100 · check | GTQ 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 340 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 935 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 3,740 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; shuttles and flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (local café) | Q10–20 |
| Beer (bottle in a shop) | Q10–15 |
| Meal at a local comedor | Q35–60 |
| Surfboard rental per daycheck | Q100–200 |
| Taxi to Puerto San Josécheck | Q100–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Strong rip currents: swim only in designated areas; rescue fee Q300 (check).
- WiFi and cell signal are unreliable (3G at best); download maps and content ahead.
- Book accommodation ahead Dec–Mar (peak season); options are limited.
- Dirt roads get muddy in rain; bring shoes you don't mind ruining.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance (check)
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
El ParedónEl Paredón
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance (check)1500
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Guatemala City; nearest consulate is check. Most other countries have embassies in Guatemala City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shuttle Antigua → El Paredón: about Q150, 3–4 h (check)
- Chicken bus from Guatemala City (CENMA): Q35, departs 3:30 pm, about 4 h (check)Q35, departs 3:30 AM pm, about 4 h (check)
- Taxi El Paredón → Monterrico: Q200–300 (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (kwahn-toh)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (dohn-deh es-tah la plah-yah)
- Necesito una lancha — I need a boat (neh-seh-see-toh oo-nah lahn-chah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay with card? (pweh-doh pah-gar kohn tar-heh-tah)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-ahs)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for El Paredón. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season, best surf) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, rougher sea, fewer turtles) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for surf breaks, turtle-release timing, and boat tours.
- Eat pages with last orders and cash-only warnings.
- Verified shuttle schedules from Antigua and Guatemala City.
Sources
Ask about El Paredón
Loading…
Was this useful?