You’ll land in Guatemala City or Antigua and step right into an air-conditioned shuttle with a local driver who knows every twist of the road to El Paredon beach. Expect cold bottled water, help with your bags, and maybe even a quick snack stop if you ask. It’s not just about getting there—it’s how you start feeling like you’ve arrived before your feet touch the sand.
“You must be tired from the flight,” our driver said, and honestly, he was right—I felt that airport air still clinging to my skin. We’d just met him outside arrivals in Guatemala City, holding up my name with a grin that made it clear he’d done this a hundred times. The van smelled faintly of lemon cleaner and something like coconut—maybe the air freshener? I was relieved for the cold blast of AC after the sticky heat outside. Bottled water already waiting on the seat. It’s funny how those tiny things feel huge when you’re running on airport coffee and nerves.
The drive from Guatemala City to El Paredon is longer than I expected—about two and a half hours if traffic’s kind, but it’s not boring. Our driver (I think his name was Jorge?) pointed out the volcanoes as we left Antigua behind; they looked almost unreal in the haze. He told us about his favorite surf spot near El Paredon, then switched to chatting with my friend in Spanish about football. I tried to follow along but mostly watched the scenery change—concrete fading into sugarcane fields, then suddenly you catch a whiff of salt air even before you see any water. That part surprised me.
I’d worried about booking a private shuttle at first—was it worth it? But honestly, having someone who knew exactly where to go (and didn’t mind our sleepy silence) made all the difference. We stopped once for snacks at a roadside tienda; Jorge laughed when I tried to order chips in Spanish (“papas fritas” isn’t what I thought). By the time we rolled into El Paredon, sun low and everything golden, I felt more awake than when we started. There’s something about arriving somewhere new with sand already in your shoes before you’ve even hit the beach…
Usually around 2.5 hours depending on traffic.
Yes, you can arrange pickup from either location.
All shuttles include air conditioning for comfort.
Yes, infant seats are available and strollers are allowed.
The vehicles and all areas are wheelchair accessible.
Service animals are welcome during your transfer.
Bottled water is included for each passenger.
Your journey includes private transportation between Guatemala City or Antigua and El Paredon (or vice versa), an air-conditioned vehicle suited for your group size, bottled water waiting for you onboard, plus help with luggage and flexible pickup arrangements—all handled by a friendly local driver who knows every shortcut along the way.
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