THE EXPERIENCE
Choose Your Route:
🦀 Nazareno Tour
A gentle introduction to El Paredón’s mangroves.
Paddle approximately 2–3 km through the mangrove ecosystem and enter one or two quineles — natural channels surrounded by mangroves — depending on the tide.
This is the most accessible of the three routes and is suitable for first-time paddlers and experienced adventurers alike.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Distance: 2–3 km
Difficulty: All skill levels
Price: Q350 per person
🦅 Pelican Island Tour
Sunset, open water and pelicans overhead.
Set out in the late afternoon and paddle toward Boca Barra, where the river meets the Pacific.
As the sun begins to set, watch pelicans fly overhead and dive into the water to fish while you make your way through this beautiful coastal landscape.
With a longer distance and more time on the water, this route is ideal for paddlers looking for a little more adventure.
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 3–4 km
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: Q450 per person
🐢 Black Turtle Tour
The full mangrove adventure.
Our longest and most physically demanding route takes you approximately 12 km through the waterways surrounding El Paredón.
Along the way, look out for turtles and local birdlife, explore the landscape from the water and navigate through a quinel.
The experience lasts approximately four hours depending on the group’s pace, making it best suited to guests who are comfortable with a longer paddle.
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 12 km
Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
Price: Q600 per person
Kayak or SUP?
Stand-Up Paddleboard
If you choose SUP, the experience includes something special: instruction in proper standing-paddle technique from a professional athlete who competes for Guatemala in the sport.
You’ll learn how to stand, balance, position your body and use your paddle correctly before putting those skills into practice on the water.
SUP engages more of your body and adds a fun physical challenge to the experience.
Kayak
Kayaking is the more comfortable and stable option.
You can bring small essentials such as your sandals and water bottle, settle into your kayak and concentrate on exploring the landscape around you.
It requires less full-body engagement than SUP, making it ideal if you want a more relaxed way to experience the mangroves.
Which adventure is yours?
Nazareno → First time paddling or looking for something easy and beautiful.
Pelican Island → You want wildlife, sunset and a little more adventure.
Black Turtle → You’re ready to paddle farther and properly explore.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll experience a side of El Paredón that most visitors never see, from the water, surrounded by mangroves, wildlife and the rhythms of Guatemala’s Pacific coast.
What Makes This Experience Special?
What’s Included in the Experience?
Good to Know
Wear comfortable clothing that can get wet and bring sun protection. For longer tours, bring drinking water.
Kayak vs. SUP: Kayaking is the more comfortable option and allows you to easily carry small essentials such as sandals and a water bottle. SUP is more physically demanding and engages more of the body.
If you choose SUP, you’ll receive instruction in proper standing-paddle technique from a professional athlete who competes for Guatemala.
Routes through the quineles depend on tide and local conditions, so the exact route may vary. Tour duration can also vary slightly depending on the group’s pace.