Surf Camp and Beach Stay on Guatemala's Pacific Coast at El Paredón

A day here usually starts with coffee — unlimited and free for hotel guests — before you head out for a surf session. The surf school takes beginners through the basics and works with more experienced surfers on the breaks out front. Boards and boogie boards are available to rent if you'd rather go out on your own. El Paredón's waves are consistent enough that you can surf most days of your stay.

Afternoons are for whatever you feel like. There's beach volleyball and papi football on the sand, a slack line, and table games back at the house. The mangrove boat tour runs through the natural reserve, and community tours take you into the village. Depending on the season, you can go bird watching or join a night turtle watching trip. The freshwater pool is currently closed for renovation, but the beach is right there.

What separates this from a lot of surf camps is that it's a working beach house in a real fishing village, not a resort. The Financial Times described the rooms as "bedrooms on stilts, with hammocks slung beneath and lofty roofs to catch the ocean breeze, Crusoe-style," with a small pool and a large open-air bar-lounge-dining area. Guests get free earplugs — a small detail that tells you they know what a beach house sounds like at night.

The house has been hosting guests from all over the world since 2010. Both surfers and non-surfers stay here, and the mix works: you can surf every day or never touch a board and still fill your time with volleyball, boat trips and the beach. Shuttle service runs from Antigua, and airport pick-ups can be arranged.

It's two hours from Guatemala City and Antigua, which makes it easy to combine with either. The village itself is small and walkable, with the restaurant and bar on site handling most meals. If you're booking during the renovation period, expect some daytime construction noise and limited access to parts of the property — the 15% discount and included breakfast are the trade-off.

What's included

- 15% off accommodation (Renovation Stay rate) - Breakfast included - Welcome drink on arrival - Unlimited free coffee for hotel guests - Free WiFi for hotel guests - Free earplugs for hotel guests - Full access to the beach, restaurant and surf activities

What's not included

- Lunch and dinner - Surf lessons and surf school (available at extra cost) - Surf and boogie board rental - Mangrove boat tours - Community tours - Shuttle service from Antigua - Airport pick-ups - Personal expenses