Planning
What to pack for El Paredón
· 5 min read
El Paredón is hot all year, sandy everywhere and informal by design. Pack light, expect salt and dust, and remember the village runs mostly on cash. Here is the list that actually matters.
Clothes and beach
- Two swimsuits and a quick-dry towel — nothing you own dries faster than the Pacific wind dries a swimsuit.
- Flip-flops for the sand, trainers for the road and a long-sleeved light top for the shuttle and the evenings.
- A light rain jacket from May to October — afternoon showers are short but serious.
Sun, water, insects
- High-factor sunscreen and a hat. The equatorial sun burns through cloud.
- Insect repellent, especially for the mangrove side at dusk.
- A refillable bottle — buy cold water in the village shops and top up.
The two things people forget
- Cash in quetzales. Card machines exist but come and go; the reliable ATM is not in the village.
- A dry bag or a simple plastic sleeve for your phone — between the boat, the board and the sand, everything gets wet.
On the shuttle you have room for one suitcase and one carry-on. Surfboards and extra bags: tell us when booking, so the space is confirmed before departure.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to bring a towel and bedding?
- Hotels and hostels provide bedding. Towels are usually provided too, but a quick-dry travel towel is worth packing — you will use it at the beach as well.
- Is there a laundry service?
- Several hotels and shops do laundry for a few quetzales, usually back the same or next day. With the heat, you will not need much more than two sets of clothes anyway.