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Summer in Guatemala

Visiting Guatemala in Summer

Guatemala in summer is a unique time to visit. There will be some crowds due to the alignment with vacation months in North America and Europe, but summer in Guatemala is in the middle of Guatemala’s rainy season. Do not let that fool you, the sheer beauty of Guatemala is stunning and worth the trip in the rainy season! This is when Guatemala’s natural wonders flourish. During the wet season, you will be able to see Guatemala’s dramatic environment blossom in full force. 

You’ll be able to do whatever your heart desires in Guatemala in the summer. During this time in the rainy season, you can expect sunny mornings with potential storms in the afternoon. This leaves plenty of time for seeing some of Guatemala’s greatest sites! Don’t forget to bring a rain jacket and umbrella in case you encounter afternoon showers!

Summer is high season for the inland areas because they’re actually drier than the coast. Places like Monterrico Beach have a better chance of experiencing storms, which is why the inland areas are so popular. Even though it is the “wet season,” many people still venture to Guatemala, as they may have vacation time during the months of July and August. This can mean that prices will increase, and you will find fewer deals, however, not to worry- as this time is still not as popular as the peak, dry season!

Things to do in Guatemala in Summer

Tikal

Tikal was the capital of the state during the Mayan Period, and one of the most powerful cities in the world at the time. Evidence showing that the city existed since the 4th Century BC, the city dominated much of the Mayan civilization between the 200 to 900 CE. It was a major trading hub between the Mayans and the Mesoamericans, with archaeological evidence supporting regular trade between the city of Teotihuacan, with even a period of conquest by the Mesoamerican capital during the Classical Period. This contributed to its eventual decline.

Today, Tikal has been partially restored by the efforts of the Guatemalan government as well as foundations run by universities around the world. You are able to view the beautiful limestone structures managed beautifully to give a sense of how massive and significant this city was at its peak. View the large royal palaces, the temples span 70 metres high, you can marvel at the planning of residential structures, the majesty of the administrative buildings and even a building that is believed to have been a jail. This is especially interesting as most Mayan ruins do not feature this branch of enforcement. Visit the Plaza of the Seven Temples where you can astonish yourself with the South Acropolis, which climbs up to 300 metres high!

Read our guide: What to do in Tikal

Tiny Turtles

Photo credit: Marina K. Villatoro /Gringa TravelingMom

The Pacific Coast’s many beaches take advantage of the lack of tourists and Sea Turtles emerge from the deep blue to reclaim the sands. The sheer numbers and the synchronized dance of their egg layings are a sight to see on its own, and you can take part in protecting these animals as they fulfill their natural responsibilities. You can volunteer with a turtle conservation program for a few days to observe these wonderful creatures, collect the eggs and steer away any animal or human poachers who take advantage of these vulnerable organisms. 

Read our guide: The Best Beaches in Guatemala

Speak Spanish

Guatemala advertises itself as an ideal place to learn the Spanish language with its many immersion programs dotted around the country. The most famous of which is in the picturesque colonial city of Antigua, with one of the highest amounts of Spanish Immersion courses in the country. These courses have different timelines, where you are placed in a highly immersive and interactive environment where you can learn structure and grammar, but also putting it to the test with conversational classes and field trips where you can speak and learn with the local population to both get a sense of the local culture, dialects and the differences between formal Spanish and the slang terms around the country. This is the best way to create a learning experience for yourself while you’re out and about, or if you want to be productive while escaping the afternoon drizzles.

Best Places to Visit in Guatemala in Summer

Highland Towns

During the hot days of summer in Guatemala, you may want to escape the what to cool off. If you head up the mountains into the highlands, you’ll surely find that relief! There will be less crowds, and you’ll be able to see more of the Mayan culture in these highland villages. Visiting Quetzaltenango and Huehuetenango are both great villages and worth visiting whether you are trying to escape the heat or not, when visiting Guatemala in summer!

Antigua

A colorful, picturesque town, with cobbled streets and amazing volcanic landscapes surrounding every part of the town. Summer is the perfect time to visit Antigua as you can discover the bright colonial architecture but then wander to the ancient ruins with the town, and just outside the town itself! Then head to Mercado de Artesanías where you can see one of Antigua’s biggest markets- from textiles to food, it’s a colorful market, reflective of the local spirit! With so much to do and see, Antigua is a great place to go in Guatemala in summer!

Read our guide: What to do in Antigua

Lake Atitlan

In Guatemala’s southwestern highlands lies the Atitlan Volcano. Lake Atitlan is created from one of Atitlan Volcano’s craters and sits just below the volcano. Surrounded by hills and volcanoes, Lake Atitlan’s views are unmatched. Known as a popular site to visit, due to its beauty and Mayan history, it should not be missed when visiting Guatemala in summer. Lake Atitlan is perfect for visitors going to Guatemala in summer, because it is perfect for a swim and you’ll have the most stunning views on clear, bright, sunny days!

Events in Guatemala in Summer 

La Fiesta Nacional Indígena de Guatemala

If you’re looking for a festival that is packed with Mayan culture, and a great way to meet the locals, La Fiesta Nacional Indigena de Guatemala is the perfect time for your visit! Taking place in Coban, during the last weeks of July, you’ll experience traditional events, festivals, live music, and delicious food! La Fiesta Nacional Indigena de Guatemala is the perfect event to partake in when visiting Guatemala in July.

Dia de la Virgen de la Asunción

This is the main August event celebrated throughout the country. The biggest festivities take place in the capital Guatemala City on August 15 as a celebration of the city’s patron saint. You will be amazed by the extreme display of devotion as the city comes alive with market stalls, parades, parties and celebrations of light using fireworks and firecrackers. This is a great experience for people wanting a fun family atmosphere with lots for the kids to do. For a quintessential local experience, you are able to try the traditional foods, dance the night away and just take in the festive atmosphere that this beautiful country has to offer on one of the most important summer festivals.

Accomodation in Guatemala

July and August are quite popular months to visit Guatemala. This is because most people in North America and Europe have vacation time during these months. This can mean crowds and full bookings in the months of July and August. But, June is another story. Just before the tourist season goes back into full swing, June is a quiet month in Guatemala, and you can usually find great deals and fewer crowds all around the country! 

FAQs 

How hot is Guatemala in the summer?

Temperatures in Guatemala are in the range 25.8°C / 77.7°F. This can be more or less, depending on the weather for the particular year. It’s also best to plane for rain showers during the afternoons.

What months are summer in Guatemala?

Guatemala does not particularly go by the four seasons, but by the wet and the dry season. While we consider the summer to be June-August, it can have a lot of rain. The dry season in Guatemala is from November to April, and these months see more of the typical (what we would consider) ‘summer’ weather.

Best time to visit Guatemala: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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Winter in Guatemala

What months are winter in Guatemala?

In Guatemala, there is no such thing as the four distinct seasons you may expect in other countries; Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.

Rather, there are two main seasons; the “dry” season, which lasts from November to April, and the “wet” season, which lasts from May to October.  As a country with a tropical climate and year-round pleasant weather, the temperatures vary so little by month that the seasons cannot strictly be defined by how hot or cold it is.

The main differences you will find in terms of the temperature are largely geographic, varying depending on the altitude of a particular region.

Despite that, Guatemala is in the Northern Hemisphere so when we talk about winter in this article, we refer to the months of November to April, when the country is at its driest. 

What are the coldest months in Guatemala?

As a country with a mountainous, volcanic landscape, temperatures are mainly dictated by altitude over season.

And did you know that Guatemala is known as the Land of Eternal Spring? With temperatures that are relatively mild throughout the year, even during the winter months you shouldn’t expect to get cold.

Having said that, the temperatures do get a little cooler during the winter months, despite being the driest time of the year. The rain clouds that exist during the rainy season actually act as a kind of blanket, somewhat insulating the lands below and keeping in much of the heat.

Furthermore, the lack of rain clouds means that the clearer skies of the winter time are less dense than during the rainy, summer months, which also contributes to the cooler temperatures.

So, just how cold does it get in Guatemala?

The truth is that Guatemala doesn’t really get “cold”. 

In the highlands, such as Antigua and Guatemala, temperatures hover between 18-28°C/64-82°F during the daytime year-round, but they plummet quite significantly during the night so you should pack plenty of layers.

In more coastal areas the daytime temperature can easily exceed 30°C/85°F at any time of year and the humidity gets pretty high, too. It can be quite intense in these regions so many visitors to Guatemala find themselves heading inland after a few days on the coast to balance the hot, thick air with the freshness that comes at a higher altitude.

During summer, the temperature tends to be a few degrees higher, and often the daily, albeit brief, downpours are a welcome relief from the heat and humidity.

For many, winter is the best time to visit Guatemala thanks to the dry skies and lower humidity.

Visiting Guatemala in Winter

For visitors who are used to harsh winters in their home country, Guatemala is a welcome escape with its temperate climate and long, sunny days that make for a welcome escape from the typical crisp cold of the northern hemisphere.

The winter season is the most popular time to visit Guatemala and is considered the high tourist season, almost exclusively because of the lack of rain during these months.

With tourists, come hikes in pricing from travel operators, tour companies and accommodation providers so we recommend booking well in advance to get the best deals on your Guatemalan stay.

If you choose to visit at the start of the dry season, around November time, you will see Guatemala’s natural landscape at its finest; from the rain of the previous months the lush landscape simply thrives, the trees and vegetation glowing vibrant and green after getting a new lease of life thanks to the water.

This is a fantastic time to explore the great outdoors and see the rainforests, mountains, lakes and volcanoes at their finest as the surrounding foliage and flora is at its peak of beauty, revitalised and nourished from the rain of the wet season, all while remaining dry thanks to very limited rainfall.

Toward the end of the winter months, around March time, the heat will rise to its peak so it’s the ideal time to enjoy the country’s many natural swimming pools, lake towns, waterfalls and even the black-sand beaches of the Pacific coast.

Things to do in Guatemala in winter

Bizarre black sand at Monterrico Beach

Monterrico Beach is located on the Pacific Coast, and it is the closest beach to Antigua. Known for its black beaches, this will be your most unique day at the beach. Soak up the sun, or see if you can spot any of the local wildlife. 

Each year between June and December, hundreds of sea turtles come ashore at night along Guatemala’s Pacific coast to lay their eggs. Hatching season falls between September and January, so you’ll have the chance to see the Tortugario Monterrico hatchery release the baby turtles into the sea – a truly mesmerising experience.

Read our guide: The Best Beaches in Guatemala

The dry season is the perfect time to hike to Acatenango

Little rain, warm days, cool evenings and more than 12 hours of daylight during the winter months mean it’s a great time to do some hiking. For outdoor adventurers one of the best hikes in Guatemala is up the Acatenango Volcano, which can be completed over the course of two days and is only suitable for experienced hikers.

As the third highest volcano in Central America, it’s a pretty epic trek and the views from the summit are out of this world during the dry season, as visibility is generally very good.

Experience the Caribbean-cool vibes lakeside in Izabal

Guatemala’s Caribbean coast may only be small, but it is mighty and rich in beauty. Lake Izabal is one of the highlights of the region and is also the country’s largest lake. Surrounded by lush green vegetation and with crystal blue waters, it is the ultimate destination for relaxation if you’re looking for a more laid-back vacation.

Events in Guatemala in Winter

All Saints Day, 1st November

Photo Credit: Giancarlo Majocchi

All Saints Day – Guatemala’s answer to the Day of the Dead – sees Guatemalans across the country pay respect to the deceased, celebrating the lives lost with friends, family and loved ones.

Celebrations are held in Guatemala City, the country’s capital, which holds a massive parade and street party to honour this sacred day of remembrance. An important part of the celebration is The Kite Festival, an extravagant display of lavishly decorated kites flooding the sky, said by locals to be a way to connect with those who have passed. 

In Santiago Sacatepéquez there is The Giant Kites Festival, which is incredibly popular with tourists as it is known to be the best of its kind in all of Guatemala.

Spend December in Guatemala City to join the Christmas festivities

Guatemala is a country that loves Christmas and there are plenty of traditional celebrations and cultural rituals that span the course of several weeks in the capital, Guatemala City. Expect christmas markets, day after day of street parades, plenty of fireworks and spectacular christmas feasts.

Read our guide: What to do in Guatemala in Christmas

Join the Ash Wednesday parade in Antigua in February

Guatemala is a religious country celebrating plenty of holidays of the church throughout the year. The first significant celebration is that of Ash Wednesday, which almost always falls in February. The biggest celebration in all of Guatemala is in Antigua, where you can expect processions with locals in costume carrying holy figures through the streets, as friends and family come together to enjoy this holy day.

Enjoy Easter in March or April, at the peak of the dry season

The week of Easter is one of the most celebrated times in all of Guatemala. This Holy Week is filled with festivals, processions, and church services. You can find celebrations happening all around Guatemala, especially in the big cities, such as Antigua. It is always a great idea to be mindful of the importance of these holidays for the local people, and to always respect the local ceremonies. If you really want to avoid religious celebrations, the week of Easter is not the best time.  

Best time to visit Guatemala: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec