The best time to visit Guatemala

Minimal rainfall, with average daytime temperatures of 20°C in the highlands and 28°C in the lowlands, make January one of the best times of year to visit Guatemala for those interested in exploring the Mayan ruins. At Tikal National Park, amateur archaeologists and history lovers alike can easily spend a whole day admiring the impressive stone temples rising above the jungle canopy.

If wildlife viewing holds more appeal, head to the nearby Lake Peten Itza. Clear winter skies and comfortable temperatures during this month make it well suited to guided boat tours and nature walks in the area. Mayan legend holds that anyone who drinks from the waters of Lake Petén Itza will return there to live.

The dry season continues from January into February, with the highlands seeing average daytime temperatures in the early 20s and the lowlands in the late 20s. Make the most of this by visiting the largest traditional market in all of Central America at Chichicastenago, where stalls are lined with vibrant textiles and polished jade from the local K’iche’ Maya community. For generations, jade has been highly valued by the Mayan people for its sacred properties; in wearing it, they hoped to mimic the gods.

For thrill seekers wondering when to go to Guatemala, this is the month for trekking the slopes of the Acatenango mountain under the care of experienced local guides. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, working coffee farms and even small eruptions from the nearby Volcan de Fuego every 15 to 20 minutes.

As the mercury rises, March marks the start of spring with warmer temperatures than the previous winter months. Take advantage of the dry weather by visiting one of Guatemala’s many national parks, such as Laguna Lachuá. There you can find an array of wildlife, from tapirs and toucans to butterflies, as well as the vast blue expanse of the eponymous lagoon itself.

March is also one of the best times to go to Guatemala for a multi-day trek to the majestic ruins of El Mirador. Accessible only by foot or helicopter, the remnants of the largest city the Mayans ever built are hidden deep within the jungle. El Mirador is home to one of the greatest pyramids in the world, La Danta, the temple seeming to sprout trees, their buried roots helping to hold together the 99 million cubic feet of ancient stone slabs.

April is still a popular time to visit Guatemala, as the transition into the rainy season only begins towards the end of the month. One of the biggest draws to the country in April is the Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations in Antigua. No city in the world lives and breathes this religious festival with such vim and vigour: think elaborate processions, hand-carved wooden floats and vibrant carpets of carefully laid flowers and colourful sawdust along the cobblestone streets.

For a more active itinerary, head to Lake Atitlan and try your hand at some of the water-based excursions from the surrounding villages of Panajachel, San Pedro, San Marcos, San Juan and Santa Cruz. Nominated as one of the seven wonders of the modern world, Lake Atitlan is the perfect place for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, with the option of a private boat tour for those who’d prefer to stay warm and dry. While visiting, remember to respect the local Mayan communities and their deep spiritual connection to the lake; pay attention to nearby signage and cover up when requested to do so.

The rainy season is in full swing by May, with late afternoons and evenings seeing short intense showers across the country. For those wondering when to go to Guatemala this month is still worth considering, with average daytime temperatures of 24°C in the highlands and 33°C in the lowlands.

With fewer crowds in May, it’s a pleasant month for cultural sightseeing. Book a private walking tour in Guatemala City to explore famed attractions such as the San Francisco Church, Plaza de la Constitución, National Palace of Culture, Museo Popol Vuh and Cathedral of Guatemala City. In Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, make sure your route doesn’t miss the Convento de las Capuchinas, National Museum of Guatemalan Art, Arco de Santa Catalina or the Mercado Central.

June is not the best time of year to visit Guatemala, being one of the wettest months and with no major festivals or events to attract visitors to the country. It is also the start of hurricane season, which lasts until October and mostly affects the Caribbean coastline.

However, for anyone happy to embrace the muddy trails of the rainy season, June could be an option for high altitude trekking. The highest non-volcanic mountain range in Central America, the Sierra de Los Cuchumatanes, offers dramatic views of rolling cloud formations and lush green landscapes below.

The rainy (and hurricane) season continues from June into July, with the highlands seeing average daytime temperatures in the mid 20s and the lowlands in the early 30s. For a couple of weeks this month, however, Guatemala experiences the canicula, a brief break in the regularly scheduled rainfall where days are clear, dry and very hot.

The canicula can coincide with the La Fiesta Nacional Indígena de Guatemala in Cobán, a festival celebrating the indigenous culture of the Mayan communities. Culminating with the Rabin Ahau pageant, Mayan women travel from all corners of the country to compete for the title of Reina Indigena (Indigenous Queen). The festival also includes traditional music performances, rodeos and parades.

As with the end of July, the start of August can correspond with the canicula, a respite from the rains where days are clear, dry and very hot. Take advantage of this to visit the renowned turquoise pools of Semuc Champey without the crowds. One of the most popular sights to see in Guatemala, the experience is more peaceful and private in the off-season.

Average temperatures stay the same throughout August as in July: mid 20s in the highlands and early 30s in the lowlands.

Whilst the rainy season is still in full swing in September, with similar average temperatures to July and August, it’s also the height of hatching season for turtles on the Pacific coast in Guatemala. Support local conservation projects by joining them to learn how they preserve these beautiful creatures’ habitats, whilst watching the hatchlings scramble down to the ocean alongside experienced guides.

Daytime temperatures remain stable in September, with the highlands averaging in the mid 20s and the lowlands averaging in the early 30s throughout this month.

As the weather starts to turn drier in the highlands, head to some of the lesser known Mayan ruins to explore the plazas, temples and tombs without the crowds: Ixmiche, Mixco Viejo and Q’umarkaj. The average temperature range at these sites in October is 20°C to 25°C.

Towards the end of the month Lake Atitlan also begins to see less rainfall, making it a great time to tour the lakeside communities of Panajachel, San Pedro, San Marcos, San Juan and Santa Cruz. Each village has its own distinct feel. Wander the streets to find families practicing the art of backstrap weaving, a traditional Mayan technique dating back thousands of years.

For those wondering when to visit Guatemala to experience dry weather, comfortable temperatures and cultural festivities, this month ticks all the boxes. Held annually on November 1st and 2nd, the Day of the Dead is celebrated across the country. Thanks to the Mayan heritage of the region, you are more likely to see giant colourful kites than Mexican sugar skulls (which are rooted in Aztec tradition).

Now that the dry season has arrived, lowland Mayan ruins such as Yaxhá, Nakum and El Naranjo are more attractive to visitors.These three sites form a triangle, encompassing 37,000 hectares of national park and numerous blue-green lakes. Enjoy glimpses of the surrounding jungle’s abundant fauna, including howler and spider monkeys, whilst admiring the carefully restored buildings.

The dry season continues from November into December, with the highlands seeing average daytime temperatures in the early 20s and the lowlands in the late 20s. Head to Chichicastenango for the week-long Fiesta de Santo Tomás, celebrating the patron saint of the town through a vibrant fusion of both Mayan and Catholic traditions. Don’t miss the dramatic Palo Volador, or “Dance of the Flyers”, considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

December is the best time to go to Guatemala to see its cities come alive with Christmas festivities, where entire model villages are often built around the Nacimiento (nativity scene). The most important celebration of the period occurs on Christmas Eve, when families set off fireworks and firecrackers before opening their presents at midnight.