El Paredón, the Guatemalan paradise whose inhabitants are left behind
Located 130 kilometers from Guatemala City, the capital of the eponymous country, on the Pacific coast, El Paredón has experienced spectacular tourism growth. But a fire in March 2025 exposed its many shortcomings. The Guatemalan media outlet Plaza Publica met with distraught residents in the village.
“I'm currently on one of the coolest beaches in Guatemala: El Paredón,” boasts Mexican YouTuber Luisito Comunica in a TikTok post that has reached 438,000 views.
With sunglasses on his nose and a smile on his face, the influencer, known for his travel advice, posted a one-minute video that simultaneously promotes local landscapes and a soda brand. Behind him, under an azure sky, we see a young surfer walking on a black sand beach lined with palm trees. We can also hear the breeze and the lapping of waves.
This is a glimpse of this small village on Guatemala's Pacific coast, located 130 kilometers south of the capital. The day Plaza Pública visited, tourists could be seen strolling the wide, sand-covered streets and restaurants lined the seafront. But there were also the ruins of an abandoned hotel and a jumble of charred kitchen utensils and surfboards. A cool breeze blew through the village, and lively music echoed around the area.
A few days earlier, in early March 2025, a fire ravaged at least 15 hotels, but
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