When to visit Guatemala: a month-by-month guide

Guatemala is often called the "land of eternal spring", and in the highlands it lives up to the name: days are warm, evenings are cool and it rarely gets truly hot or cold. But the country has two distinct seasons, and its regions range from cool mountain towns to steamy lowland jungle, so timing does shape your trip.

The short version: there's no bad time to visit, only different kinds of good.

The two seasons

Dry season (November to April). Clear skies, the best volcano views and little rain. This is peak season, especially around Christmas, New Year and Easter, so good hotels book up early.

Rainy or green season (May to October). The landscape turns vividly green. Mornings are usually bright and sunny, with rain arriving as afternoon or evening showers. There are fewer travellers, better availability and often lower rates. September and October are usually the wettest months.

How the regions differ

• Highlands (Antigua, Atitlán, Chichicastenango, Xela): spring-like most of the year, with chilly nights in December and January, especially in Quetzaltenango at around 2,330 m.
• Petén (Tikal, Flores): hot and humid year-round, hottest in April and May.
• Verapaces (Semuc Champey, Cobán): green and damp, with rain possible in any month.
• Caribbean and Pacific coasts: hot, with the Caribbean side wetter overall.

Month by month

January

The heart of the dry season. Skies are clear, the volcanoes look their best and it's an ideal month to hike Acatenango, though nights at altitude are cold. Highland mornings can be crisp, so bring layers. Esquipulas hosts a major pilgrimage around 15 January.

February

Probably the most reliable month of the year: dry, sunny and pleasantly warm. Lent usually begins this month, and in Antigua the first Lenten processions and velaciones start appearing on weekends. Book well ahead for Semana Santa now if you haven't already.

March

Warm and dry, with Lent in full swing. Semana Santa often falls in late March or April; in Antigua it's one of the most remarkable religious festivals in the world, with vast processions passing over intricate carpets (alfombras) of coloured sawdust, flowers and pine needles.

April

The hottest month in much of the country, especially in Petén, where temperatures can climb well into the 30s °C. If Semana Santa falls in April, Antigua and the lake will be at their busiest. Highland days are warm and lovely, though haze from agricultural burning can soften volcano views.

May

The rains usually begin in May, often with dramatic afternoon storms. Prices ease, crowds thin and the countryside starts to turn green. It's a good-value month to travel, and mornings are still mostly bright.

June

The green season settles in. Expect sunny mornings and afternoon showers in the highlands. Waterfalls and rivers fill up, and the forests around the Verapaces are lush. It's a lovely, quiet time to visit Tikal, though it's humid.

July

Many regions experience the canícula, a drier spell that often arrives in mid-July and lasts a few weeks. Late July brings Cobán's Rabin Ajau folklore festival, and 25 July is Saint James's Day in Antigua and Santiago Atitlán. On the Pacific coast, the turtle nesting season gets going at Monterrico.

August

Still green, often with the canícula bringing more sunshine than expected. It's a popular month for European families, so book ahead for August holidays. The highlands are comfortable and fresh, and the waters at Semuc Champey can be clear between rains.

September

Typically one of the wettest months, and the Caribbean hurricane season is at its peak, though storms making landfall in Guatemala are relatively rare. Independence Day on 15 September is celebrated nationwide with torch-bearing runners, marching bands and blue-and-white flags. This is the quietest month for travel, with excellent availability.

October

Rain remains likely, especially early in the month, but conditions usually improve as November approaches. Landscapes are at their most vivid, and the coffee harvest begins in some lower-altitude regions. Flexible travellers can find real value now.

November

The dry season returns, and with it the clear volcano views. On 1 November, All Saints' Day, the towns of Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez near Antigua fly enormous, hand-made barriletes gigantes, giant kites that can reach more than 15 m across. In Todos Santos Cuchumatán, horse races mark the day. A wonderful month to travel.

December

Festive and lively, with dry, sunny days and cold nights in the highlands. On 7 December, families across the country light bonfires for La Quema del Diablo, the burning of the devil. In Chichicastenango, the Fiesta de Santo Tomás builds up to 21 December with dancing, fireworks and the palo volador. Christmas and New Year are peak weeks, so plan early.

Our recommendations

• For volcano hiking and clear views: November to March.
• For Semana Santa: book six to twelve months ahead.
• For value and fewer travellers: May, June and the first half of November.
• For Tikal: November to February, when it's slightly cooler; or go early in the day in any month.
• For festivals: Semana Santa, 1 November and early-to-mid December.

Whatever the month, plan outdoor adventures for the morning and leave afternoons for cafés, markets and lodge time. That simple rhythm makes the green season a pleasure.

For more practical advice, take a look at our FAQ.

Find your perfect moment

Whether you're dreaming of Semana Santa processions, giant kites in November or quiet green-season trails, your specialist will help you match the timing to the trip you want, and adjust the route to make the most of the weather. Start planning your trip and tell us when you'd like to travel.