Best time to visit Guatemala

The dry season is the best time to travel in order to visit Guatemala with ease and to experience first-hand the inhabitants’ peaceful rhythm of life. From December to April is the best time to travel to this part of Guatemala.

If you are seeking tranquillity and relaxation, what could be better than to discover the country’s natural treasures when the weather is on your side!

If you don’t know when to travel to Guatemala to visit the Tikal National Park, here's what you need to know. The best months to make this incredible visit are those between December and April. This period coincides with the dry season, so you will be able to explore the ruins when the temperature is ideal.

Remember that the area consists of 576 square kilometres of jungle, where many pumas and other protected species live. This is one of the best places to visit in the whole of Guatemala!

The regions situated at low altitudes, like Izabal and Petén and the country’s coastal regions, are hot and humid throughout the year. Other regions which are also hot, but drier, are those located to the east of the country. This is the case for Jutiapa, Zacapa, El Progreso and Chiquimula.

In the centre and north of Guatemala, the climate is a little fresher. In Antigua Guatemala, for example, the climate can be cold during the winter. The coolest places in the country are Totonicapán, Huehuetenango and Quetzaltenango.

Lastly, keep in mind that the period around Easter is the hottest time of year, which is ideal for enjoying the country’s beaches. This coincides with the high tourist season, so not only will prices be higher, but it will be harder to find available accommodation.

The high season is from December to April, as well as the months of June and July. If you are going to travel at Easter or the New Year, try to book your trip as early as possible due to the popularity of these times.

On the other hand, the mid-season is from October to November, and this is when hurricanes tend to appear. The advantage of these months is that the rains have not yet arrived, so the temperature is excellent.

The months of May, August and September are the low-season in Guatemala. This is due to increased rain, yet prices are considerably lower. If you don’t mind the odd rain shower while you travel, this is the ideal time to find travel deals.

In summary, the best time to travel to Guatemala is as follows:

The best months to visit Guatemala are January, February, March, April, November and December. In general, the warmest months are February, March, April, May, July and August. The wettest months are May, June, August and September.

As an exception, the city of Zacapa has the best weather in the whole of Guatemala, enjoying a near-perfect climate for nine months of the year. Another climatic exception is the Río Dulce, where you can bathe in its waters all year round.