The best time to visit Guatemala is the dry season, from November to April. Only a few millimeters of rain fall each month in the highlands (Guatemala City, Antigua, Lake Atitlán), roads are easier to travel and the tracks to the Maya sites of the Petén are in better condition. March and April are hotter, especially in the lowlands, and Holy Week draws huge crowds. Our guide to visiting Antigua Guatemala presents the colonial city.
The rainy season runs from May to October. It does not rain continuously: showers often fall in the afternoon or evening. The country is small but contrasted: volcanic highlands with an “eternal spring” climate, the hot tropical forest of the Petén, and a very wet Caribbean coast. This guide is based on the official normals of INSIVUMEH, Guatemala’s national weather service, and on the World Meteorological Organization normals published by NOAA.
Our travel deals for Guatemala
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Guatemala.Compare flights- eSIMSailyAnother eSIM plan to compare: data, validity, network.See Saily plans
When to go to Guatemala: the essentials
- Best time: November to April (dry season)
- Most pleasant months in the highlands: December to February, dry and mild (24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F) in the afternoon in Guatemala City)
- Tikal and the Petén: December to April; strong heat in April–May (nearly 36 °C (97 °F) in the afternoon in Flores)
- Rainy season: May to October, peaking in June and September in the capital
- Caribbean coast (Livingston, Río Dulce): rainy almost all year; March–April are the driest months
- Plan ahead for: Holy Week (March or April), very popular in Antigua, and All Saints’ Day (November 1)
When to go to Guatemala by priority
- Best weather: November to April, ideally mid-January to February
- Cheapest: May to October, outside the July–August holidays
- Fewer crowds: May, June, September and October; in the dry season, mid-January to February, after the holidays
- Events: Holy Week in Antigua (March or April), giant kites on November 1, “Quema del diablo” on December 7
To plan your itinerary, see our Guatemala travel guide. February is one of the best months: compare with our ideas for where to go in February.
Guatemala: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
❌ Period to avoid: June, September
Climate and weather in Guatemala City month by month
The table below gives the normals for Guatemala City (at about 1,500 m (4,921 ft) above sea level), representative of the highlands, where Antigua and Lake Atitlán are also located. The lowlands of the Petén and the coast are covered further down.
| Month | Max | Min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.6 °C (76 °F) | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | Medium | Medium | Dry, mild, cool nights ✅ |
| February | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 14.1 °C (57 °F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | Medium | Medium | Dry and sunny, ideal for Tikal ✅ |
| March | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 15.1 °C (59 °F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | High (Holy Week in some years) | High | Dry, Lenten processions in Antigua ✅ |
| April | 28.4 °C (83 °F) | 16.3 °C (61 °F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | High (Holy Week in some years) | High | Hottest month, very hot in the Petén ✅ |
| May | 27.2 °C (81 °F) | 17.0 °C (63 °F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | Low | Low | Rains arrive ⚠️ |
| June | 25.1 °C (77 °F) | 17.1 °C (63 °F) | 279 mm (11.0 in) | Low | Low | Wettest month ❌ |
| July | 25.4 °C (78 °F) | 16.7 °C (62 °F) | 208 mm (8.2 in) | Medium (summer holidays) | Medium | Afternoon rains, possible lull ⚠️ |
| August | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 16.7 °C (62 °F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) | Medium (summer holidays) | Medium | Rainy, roads in poor condition ⚠️ |
| September | 24.8 °C (77 °F) | 16.8 °C (62 °F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) | Low | Low | Very rainy ❌ |
| October | 24.4 °C (76 °F) | 16.4 °C (62 °F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | Low | Low | End of the rains, tracks still muddy ⚠️ |
| November | 24.1 °C (75 °F) | 15.1 °C (59 °F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | Medium | Medium | Dry season returns, All Saints’ Day and giant kites ✅ |
| December | 24.3 °C (76 °F) | 14.0 °C (57 °F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | High (holidays) | High | Dry and mild, year-end holidays ✅ |
The contrast is clear: less than 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain falls per month from December to March in the capital, compared with 279 mm (11.0 in) in June. Temperatures vary little over the year; altitude makes a much bigger difference than the season.
Guatemala’s seasons: pros and cons
Dry season (November to April): the best time
This is the ideal season for a first trip: skies are often clear over Lake Atitlán and the volcanoes, roads are more reliable and the Petén tracks are passable. Nights are cool at altitude, especially from December to February: in Quetzaltenango, the average low drops to around 2 to 3 °C (36 to 37 °F) in December–January. In the Petén, the heat builds at the end of the season: in Flores, the average high rises from 29 °C (84 °F) in January to nearly 36 °C (97 °F) in April–May.
- Pros: little or no rain in the highlands, the best conditions for Tikal and volcano climbs, Holy Week in Antigua
- Cons: more visitors and higher prices, especially at Christmas and Holy Week; strong heat in the Petén in March–April; cold nights at altitude
- Our tip: from mid-January to February, the weather is dry and the holiday crowds have gone
Rainy season (May to October): green and quiet
The rains arrive in May and peak in June and then September in the capital. Mornings are often sunny and showers tend to fall in the afternoon. The landscapes are very green and the sites less crowded, but getting around becomes slower. In the Petén, the tracks leading to the remote archaeological sites become difficult: from June to October, more than 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain a month falls in Flores.
- Pros: lower prices, fewer tourists, lush nature, often clear mornings
- Cons: landslides and cut roads, difficult tracks in the Petén, riskier volcano climbs, more mosquitoes
- Who is it for? Travelers in July–August who keep some flexibility in their itinerary and book excursions through reputable agencies
When to go to Guatemala by region
Comparison of the normals for five cities, from the highlands to the lowlands:
| Month | Guatemala City | Quetzaltenango | Flores (Petén) | Cobán | Puerto Barrios |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.6 °C (76 °F) / 2 mm (0.1 in) | 22.0 °C (72 °F) / 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29.0 °C (84 °F) / 66 mm (2.6 in) | 22.3 °C (72 °F) / 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27.4 °C (81 °F) / 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| February | 26.5 °C (80 °F) / 4 mm (0.2 in) | 23.5 °C (74 °F) / 6 mm (0.2 in) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) / 35 mm (1.4 in) | 23.9 °C (75 °F) / 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28.6 °C (83 °F) / 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| March | 28.0 °C (82 °F) / 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25.5 °C (78 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) | 33.5 °C (92 °F) / 36 mm (1.4 in) | 25.7 °C (78 °F) / 42 mm (1.7 in) | 30.0 °C (86 °F) / 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| April | 28.4 °C (83 °F) / 30 mm (1.2 in) | 23.8 °C (75 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 35.9 °C (97 °F) / 52 mm (2.0 in) | 27.8 °C (82 °F) / 71 mm (2.8 in) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| May | 27.2 °C (81 °F) / 154 mm (6.1 in) | 23.1 °C (74 °F) / 132 mm (5.2 in) | 36.0 °C (97 °F) / 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27.8 °C (82 °F) / 185 mm (7.3 in) | 32.1 °C (90 °F) / 208 mm (8.2 in) |
| June | 25.1 °C (77 °F) / 279 mm (11.0 in) | 21.9 °C (71 °F) / 148 mm (5.8 in) | 34.4 °C (94 °F) / 213 mm (8.4 in) | 27.5 °C (82 °F) / 265 mm (10.4 in) | 32.1 °C (90 °F) / 249 mm (9.8 in) |
| July | 25.4 °C (78 °F) / 208 mm (8.2 in) | 21.9 °C (71 °F) / 99 mm (3.9 in) | 33.8 °C (93 °F) / 159 mm (6.3 in) | 26.5 °C (80 °F) / 219 mm (8.6 in) | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 409 mm (16.1 in) |
| August | 25.5 °C (78 °F) / 225 mm (8.9 in) | 22.1 °C (72 °F) / 107 mm (4.2 in) | 33.8 °C (93 °F) / 184 mm (7.2 in) | 26.9 °C (80 °F) / 239 mm (9.4 in) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 385 mm (15.2 in) |
| September | 24.8 °C (77 °F) / 242 mm (9.5 in) | 20.9 °C (70 °F) / 135 mm (5.3 in) | 33.4 °C (92 °F) / 225 mm (8.9 in) | 27.0 °C (81 °F) / 289 mm (11.4 in) | 31.8 °C (89 °F) / 325 mm (12.8 in) |
| October | 24.4 °C (76 °F) / 171 mm (6.7 in) | 21.7 °C (71 °F) / 94 mm (3.7 in) | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 216 mm (8.5 in) | 24.9 °C (77 °F) / 300 mm (11.8 in) | 30.6 °C (87 °F) / 372 mm (14.6 in) |
| November | 24.1 °C (75 °F) / 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21.3 °C (70 °F) / 19 mm (0.7 in) | 30.0 °C (86 °F) / 133 mm (5.2 in) | 22.7 °C (73 °F) / 233 mm (9.2 in) | 28.6 °C (83 °F) / 405 mm (15.9 in) |
| December | 24.3 °C (76 °F) / 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22.1 °C (72 °F) / 7 mm (0.3 in) | 29.2 °C (85 °F) / 86 mm (3.4 in) | 22.4 °C (72 °F) / 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27.6 °C (82 °F) / 270 mm (10.6 in) |
Guatemala City, Antigua and Lake Atitlán
The central highlands, between about 1,500 to 2,000 m (4,921 to 6,562 ft), have a mild climate all year, with afternoons between 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F) and cool nights. The difference is made by rain: aim for November to April. Antigua, slightly higher than the capital, is cooler in the evening. At Lake Atitlán, the sky is generally clearer in the morning, for boat crossings.
Quetzaltenango and the mountainous west
At about 2,300 m (7,546 ft), Quetzaltenango (Xela) is the highest large city in the country. Afternoons remain mild (21 to 25 °C (70 to 77 °F)) but nights are cold in the dry season: an average low of 2.3 °C (36 °F) in January. Pack warm clothes from November to March, the best time to hike in the area, whether for the climb of Tajumulco volcano or the markets of the western villages. The highlands, the Petén and the Caribbean coast stand out clearly on the map of Guatemala.
Tikal, Flores and the Petén
The northern lowlands are hot all year, with a less distinct dry season than in the highlands. The most comfortable months to visit Tikal, Yaxhá or the more remote sites are December to February: it is 29 to 31 °C (84 to 88 °F) in the afternoon in Flores. March–April remain dry but become very hot (35.9 °C (97 °F) in April). From June to October, more than 150 mm (5.9 in) falls each month and the tracks to remote sites become difficult.
Cobán, Semuc Champey and Alta Verapaz
A region of wet mountains and forests, Alta Verapaz is one of the wettest in the country: more than 200 mm (7.9 in) falls each month in Cobán from May to November, peaking in September–October. Aim for February to April for Semuc Champey and its turquoise pools, when rainfall is lowest and the tracks are in better condition.
Livingston, Río Dulce and the Caribbean coast
The Caribbean coast is hot and very humid: in Puerto Barrios, rainfall exceeds 130 mm (5.1 in) even in the driest month and approaches 400 mm (15.7 in) in July–August and in November. The least rainy months are March and April.
Which region in which month?
The highlands are dry from November to April; the Petén, Alta Verapaz and the Caribbean coast have shorter or wetter seasons.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands (Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala City) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Quetzaltenango and the west | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Petén (Tikal, Flores) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Alta Verapaz (Cobán, Semuc Champey) | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ |
| Caribbean coast (Livingston, Río Dulce) | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ |
When to go to Guatemala by type of trip
| Your trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First trip (Antigua, Atitlán, Tikal) | November to April, ideally January–February | Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Flores, Tikal |
| Maya sites of the Petén | December to April | Tikal, Yaxhá, Río de la Pasión sites |
| Volcano climbs | November to April, depending on volcanic activity | Acatenango, Pacaya, Tajumulco |
| Holy Week in Antigua | March or April (dates vary) | Antigua |
| Maya markets and villages | Year-round | Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlán villages |
| Semuc Champey | February to April | Alta Verapaz |
| Budget | May to October (outside the July–August holidays) | Highlands |
| Trip in July–August | July–August, with flexibility | Antigua, Atitlán, Tikal |
Major events to plan your trip around
| Period | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| February to April (Lent) | Lenten processions, every weekend | Antigua |
| March or April (dates vary) | Holy Week: processions and carpets of flowers and sawdust (alfombras) | Antigua and nationwide |
| September 15 | Independence Day | Nationwide |
| November 1 | All Saints’ Day: giant kite festival | Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango |
| December 7 | “Quema del diablo” (effigies of the devil are burned in front of homes) | Nationwide |
| December | Year-end festivities | Nationwide |
Guatemala month by month: what to expect
January: Peak dry season: 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain in Guatemala City, skies often clear over the volcanoes. Cold nights at altitude (2.3 °C (36 °F) average low in Quetzaltenango).
February: One of the best months: dry, mild (26.5 °C (80 °F) in the capital) and comfortable in the Petén (31 °C (88 °F) in Flores). Lenten processions begin in Antigua.
March: Dry and hotter. Processions in Antigua, Holy Week in some years: book very early.
April: The hottest month in the capital (28.4 °C (83 °F)), very hot in the Petén (35.9 °C (97 °F)). Still dry, first showers at the end of the month.
May: The rains arrive (154 mm (6.1 in) in the capital). Peak heat in the Petén. Prices fall.
June: The wettest month in Guatemala City (279 mm (11.0 in)). Roads and tracks are more difficult.
July: Afternoon rains, sometimes with a relative lull. Northern Hemisphere summer holidays: moderate crowds.
August: Still rainy (225 mm (8.9 in)). Travel is possible with a flexible itinerary, focusing on the highlands.
September: Very rainy (242 mm (9.5 in)). Independence Day on the 15th.
October: The rains ease (171 mm (6.7 in)), but Petén tracks remain muddy. Still more than 300 mm (11.8 in) in Cobán.
November: The dry season returns in the highlands (30 mm (1.2 in)). Giant kites on November 1. A very good month.
December: Dry and mild (5 mm (0.2 in), 24.3 °C (76 °F)), year-end holidays and the “Quema del diablo” on the 7th. Crowds rise at Christmas.
When to book your trip to Guatemala
For Holy Week in Antigua, book your accommodation 6 months ahead or more: the city is overrun and prices rise sharply. For Christmas, New Year and the dry season in general, 3 to 4 months’ notice is advisable. In the rainy season, 1 to 2 months is often enough.
Planning your trip to Guatemala
- Entry requirements: they depend on your nationality; see our entry requirements for Guatemala in the Guatemala travel guide.
- Time difference: Guatemala is UTC−6 all year and does not change its clocks.
- Currency: see our currency converter to estimate your spending.
- Weather and safety: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 13 August 2026), the rainy season normally runs from May to November and heavy rain causes frequent flooding and landslides. Before climbing a volcano, the FCDO advises checking the websites of the Guatemalan meteorological office and CONRED, the national disaster agency, for access and restrictions, and following local authorities’ advice.
- Health: altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Guatemala, including Guatemala City, according to the UK FCDO and the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated June 11, 2026). Take travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation.
To go further, see our complete Guatemala travel guide. Combining with a neighboring country? See when to go to Mexico or when to go to Costa Rica.
Also worth reading: when to go to Nicaragua and when to go to Belize, neighboring countries with similar seasons.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Guatemala?
January and February are the most balanced months: dry, mild in the highlands and bearable in the Petén. November, December, March and April are also in the dry season, with more heat in the Petén at the end of the season and heavy crowds during Holy Week.
When is the rainy season in Guatemala?
From May to October. In Guatemala City, rainfall peaks in June (279 mm (11.0 in)) and September (242 mm (9.5 in)). Showers fall mostly in the afternoon and evening.
Can you go to Guatemala in July or August?
Yes, but it is the rainy season: plan for morning visits, a flexible itinerary and organized transport. Tracks to remote Petén sites can be very difficult, and some volcano climbs less safe.
When should you visit Tikal?
From December to April, during the dry season. December to February offer the most bearable temperatures (29 to 31 °C (84 to 88 °F) in the afternoon in Flores); March–April are hotter.
Is it cold in Guatemala?
Not in the afternoon, but nights are cool to cold at altitude during the dry season: an average low of about 13 to 14 °C (55 to 57 °F) in Guatemala City in December–January and 2 to 3 °C (36 to 37 °F) in Quetzaltenango. Pack a warm jacket, which is also essential for volcano climbs.
When should you not go to Guatemala?
June and September are the wettest months in the highlands. If you travel during Holy Week, book very early: demand is very high in Antigua.
What is the weather like in Guatemala in August?
It is the rainy season: 225 mm (8.9 in) on average in Guatemala City, with 25.5 °C (78 °F) in the afternoon and 16.7 °C (62 °F) at night. Showers fall mostly in the afternoon and some roads deteriorate. Travel is still possible with a flexible itinerary, focusing on the highlands.
What is the climate of Guatemala?
Tropical, with two seasons: dry from November to April, rainy from May to October. Temperatures depend mostly on altitude: mild in the highlands (24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F) by day in Guatemala City, cool nights), hot and humid in the Petén and on the coasts.
Our sources
- Weather and health information read in 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Guatemala (GOV.UK, updated 13 August 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Guatemala country information (travel.state.gov, last updated June 11, 2026)
- Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH): 1991–2020 normals for Guatemala City (La Aurora airport) and normals for Quetzaltenango (temperatures 1991–2010, rainfall 1980–2010); WMO 1991–2020 normals for Flores, Cobán and Puerto Barrios published by NOAA
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
