Best Time to Visit Guatemala

Guatemala may be called “The land of spring,” but that doesn’t mean it’s spring weather all year round. While temperatures generally vary with altitude rather than time of year, the country has two different seasons, which can make a big difference to the experience of traveling in this colorful corner of Central America.

The year can be roughly divided into wet and dry seasons, but it can also be called the “muddy” and “dusty” seasons. Weather determines the peak season, and rainfall can have a big impact on the way you enjoy different sights and activities.

That doesn’t mean the timing of the visit isn’t good, but you may have to adjust your expectations depending on when you visit, especially if you want to enjoy the beach or go hiking in the rainforest.

This is our best time guide to Guatemala.

Guatemala Weather

Guatemala’s weather attracts many visitors, with sunshine and warm temperatures for most of the year.

Guatemala’s climate is largely determined by altitude. In areas between 1,300 and 1,600 meters, including Guatemala City, Antigua, Lago de Atitlan, and Coban, the air is almost always fresh, the nights are mild, and humidity is never an issue, despite the midday sun’s heat.

Parts of Gezaltenango, Huehuetenango and Erquiche are above this height, resulting in a cool climate with noticeably cold nights during the period from early December to late February.

For most of the year, lowland pets spend their time in humid conditions, as do the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, although at least you can usually rely on the comfortable relief of sea breezes.

When is the Rainy Season in Guatemala?

The rainy season lasts roughly from May to October, with the heaviest rainfall in September and October. In Peten, however, the season can extend into December. It is best to visit the more remote sites in Peten between February and May, as the mud can be thigh-deep during the rainy season.

What is the Best Time of Year to go to Guatemala?

Dry season (summer) – November to April

Many people consider the dry season (or summer) to be the best time to visit Guatemala. It lasts from November to April in most of the United States, with a slightly longer summer along the Pacific Coast. The clear, blue skies are perfect for hiking in the mountains and exploring ancient Mayan ruins, though the air turns hazy and blistering in mid-March, before the rainy season sets in, and the volcano is barely visible.

Sticky wet conditions can occur along low-lying coastlines, with rain on the Caribbean coast all year round (though not as much as on the Pacific coast). But despite the heat and muggy weather, you can rely on sea breezes to bring welcome relief at night.

Due to the altitude of Guatemala City, Antigua, Lago de Atitlan and Chichicastenango, the air remains fresh and relatively damp throughout the summer, with warm to hot days and mild nights. High-altitude cities such as Gezaltenango, Huehuetenango and Erquiche can have cool days and chilly nights even in the middle of summer, so be sure to pack warm clothes.

The dry season is the peak time for tourism in Guatemala, from December to March when most visitors from North America and Europe flee the cold winter to return home. Many hotels and language schools have raised prices to reflect this demand and are likely to be fully booked ahead of Christmas/New Year.

If you’re visiting in November, be sure to coincide your travel plans with The Day of the Dead earlier this month, when Guatemalans celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. Graves are decorated with flowers and sugar-coated skulls, people wear elaborate costumes, and traditional Fambre festivals are held across the country.

Then travel to Livingston on the Caribbean coast at the end of November to mark Garifuna Day with the Garifuna Festival. It celebrates the traditional culture of the area’s Garifuna people with lively street parties, religious ceremonies, dances and feasts.

In early December, head to the mountain town of Chichicastenango, where the local Mayans celebrate the feast of St. Thomas in honor of their patron saint. Brightly colored traditional costumes are worn during the folk dance and music performances, as well as during large banquets and fireworks displays.

When the dry season ends, Guatemala may see its biggest celebration — Holy Week or Santa Semana. Costumed participants paraded through the streets, which were dotted with colorful sawdust “paintings” depicting flowers and religious scenes. Keep in mind that government offices and banks will be closed for much of the holiday, and transportation services will be drastically reduced. In cities such as Antigua, which hosts a huge parade popular with tourists, accommodation is also booked out in advance.

Wet Season (Winter) – May to October

Guatemala’s rainy season (or winter) lasts from May to October (and in Peten until November), with most of the rain falling in September and October. However, rain usually shows up as a late-afternoon downpour rather than an all-day shower, interspersed with warm and sunny periods.

Muddy conditions during the rainy season can make hiking more unstable and access to sites like Petan, and Tikal, can be more difficult. In this area, it can be particularly hot and uncomfortable, the pleasure of sightseeing can be greatly reduced, and some dirt roads can be closed due to landslides and severe flooding. The Caribbean coastline tends to get less rain in July and August than the rest of the country, making the region a good alternative.

Although the rainy season is quieter than the dry season, the peak tourist season occurs in July and August due to the long summer holidays in North America and Europe. During this period, residential and language schools are expected to be busier, as well as more visitors to Guatemala’s main attractions.

If you’re visiting in July, head to Coban, where Guatemala’s National Indigenous Festival lasts for two weeks. Mayan traditional dress is worn at dance and music concerts, along with food and markets, celebrating the rich heritage of the Maya. Or head to the capital in mid-August, when the Feast of the Assumption is celebrated with a religious procession and a grand feast in honor of Guatemala City’s patron saint.

Conclusion

The peak season is from December to April, of course, but it also includes June and July. If you plan to travel over Easter or New Year’s, try to book accommodation as early as possible.

The middle term, on the other hand, is from October to November, which is when hurricanes tend to occur. The good thing about these months is that the rains haven’t come yet, so the temperatures are good, but you have the potential for terrible cyclones.

May, August, and September are off-season in Guatemala. This is because it is the rainy season, but prices are much lower. If you don’t mind getting wet while traveling, this is the ideal time to find a bargain.

In conclusion, we can say that the best time to visit Guatemala is as follows

The best months to visit Guatemala are January, February, March, April, November and December. Generally speaking, the warm months are February, March, April, May, July and August. The wettest months are May, June, August and September.

Now that you know the best time to travel to Guatemala, grab your journal and plan your trip. The natural beauty, ancestral culture and kindness of the people of this country will surprise you.