When to go · Guatemala
Guatemala, month by month
The best months for Guatemala: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec. Months to avoid: Sep.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatDry and clear; cold nights in the highlands; best volcano views.Highlands: best weather · Petén lowlands: best weather · Caribbean and Verapaz: fineCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryGreatDry and warm; Lent processions start in Antigua on Sundays.Highlands: best weather · Petén lowlands: best weather · Caribbean and Verapaz: fineCrowds: Medium
- MarchGreatDry; Lent processions and flower carpets; Semana Santa may fall here (check).Highlands: best weather · Petén lowlands: best weather · Caribbean and Verapaz: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilMixedSemana Santa if late: Antigua sells out; Petén very hot; hazy skies from field burning.Highlands: best weather · Petén lowlands: hot · Caribbean and Verapaz: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayMixedRains start; hot in the lowlands; fewer visitors.Highlands: fine · Petén lowlands: hot · Caribbean and Verapaz: best weatherCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneMixedAfternoon storms; mornings clear for hikes.Highlands: rainy · Petén lowlands: rainy · Caribbean and Verapaz: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- JulyMixedCanícula dry spell some years; summer holiday travellers; Rabin Ajau festival in Cobán (check).Highlands: rainy · Petén lowlands: rainy · Caribbean and Verapaz: rainyCrowds: Medium
- AugustMixedRain and holiday crowds; landslide risk on mountain roads.Highlands: rainy · Petén lowlands: rainy · Caribbean and Verapaz: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberAvoidWettest month in many areas; Independence Day torch runs block roads (14–15 Sep).Highlands: rainy · Petén lowlands: rainy · Caribbean and Verapaz: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberMixedHeavy rain and landslides possible; hurricane remnants from both oceans.Highlands: rainy · Petén lowlands: rainy · Caribbean and Verapaz: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberGoodDry season begins; giant kites at Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez on 1 Nov.Highlands: fine · Petén lowlands: fine · Caribbean and Verapaz: rainyCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- DecemberGreatClear and cool; Burning of the Devil (7 Dec) and Christmas crowds in Antigua.Highlands: best weather · Petén lowlands: best weather · Caribbean and Verapaz: fineCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Guatemala, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Crowds
Jan: High
Feb: Medium
Prices
Jan: Medium
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 2
Feb: 0
January: Dry and clear; cold nights in the highlands; best volcano views.
February: Dry and warm; Lent processions start in Antigua on Sundays.
Guatemala: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HighlandsAntigua, Lake Atitlán, Quetzaltenango, Chichicastenango | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |
| Petén lowlandsFlores, Tikal, Yaxhá | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |
| Caribbean and VerapazRío Dulce, Livingston, Semuc Champey | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK |
| Pacific coastMonterrico, El Paredón | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |