Surfers began trekking to Central America in the 1970s. By the 1990s Costa Rica and Mexico were mainstream; Nicaragua and El Salvador followed. Guatemala went largely ignored even though its south-facing coast sits out of the Galápagos shadow and catches year-round south swells. The handful of Pacific breaks include powerful hollow beach breaks and long points that work year-round.
Best time of year for surfing in Guatemala
Swell season coincides with the rainy season in Northern Hemisphere summer. Even small off-season south swells produce quality surf. At El Paredón, summer brings consistent large south swells. When it’s maxed, we head to Iztapa for the right-hand jetty point. Dry season (Northern Hemisphere winter) means light winds and fun-size swells.
Guatemala surf spots
The Pacific Coast stretches about 180 miles with sandbars and river mouths. Our favorite is home: El Paredón, a long beach with quality bars. At low tide it produces sand-bottom barrels at almost any size; on large swells it gets heavy-lipped and hollow. At high tide it turns long-walled and rippable, like a warm-water Trestles.
What to bring on a Guatemala surf trip
Boards and surf supplies are scarce in El Paredón. We keep extras like leashes, fins, and sunscreen, but come prepared: a high-performance board, a fish for high tide and small days, a step-up when the swell is maxing, extra fins and leashes, a ding kit, and plenty of sunscreen.