The Surf Window

El Paredon

Escuintla, Guatemala

Beach breakIntermediate

A long, exposed Pacific beach break that fires on powerful SW and NW groundswells, El Paredon is Guatemala's surf capital, a small fishing village that has transformed into the hub of Central American surf tourism with world-class beach break.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalSSW (195°)
WindowSSE–WSW (150°–240°)

Wind

NE

Offshore

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

April–September

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Both

Bottom

Sand (black volcanic)

Shape

Powerful, hollow peaks, can barrel significantly on the right bank

Length

50–100m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate
  • •Why: The beach break is powerful and fast, takes some experience to handle the shore dump and rips

Hazards

  • •Strong rips and shore dump
  • •Black volcanic sand absorbs heat, burns on the walk in
  • •Mosquitoes and no-see-ums at dawn and dusk

Local Tips

  • •Driftwood Surfer and Paredon Surf House are the established surf camps, book early in peak season
  • •The estuary behind the village has incredible birdwatching between sessions

Location

Map showing the location of El Paredon in Escuintla, Guatemala

14.0483, -91.2006