Best Time To Visit Guatemala | What To Prepare?
Known as the ‘Land of Eternal Spring,’ Guatemala is a haven for global travelers. However, it does not mean that the country has a Spring-like climate all round the year. It features various climates that come with dynamics in temperature and weather.
The country has two distinct seasons; dry season (November to April) and a rainy season (May to October). So the travelers must be aware of which timeframe aligns their travel objectives and choose the best time to visit Guatemala accordingly.
And yes, these two seasons influence the travel experience in this beautiful country of Central America. During the rainy season, the environment is quite muddy and the dry season comes with dusty surroundings.
The best time to visit Guatemala comes with many prospects of enjoying the beautiful landscapes and outdoor opportunities. Here the best time can be a little vague as travel objectives differ from one person to the other. Just to give a short preview, rainy seasons are mostly preferred by those who tend to cherish Guatemala’s natural wonder while the dry season is best for those who are looking out for a safe and easy navigation.
To know better about when to travel Guatemala, this guide can probably help. Depending upon the characteristics of different seasons in the country, it will be much easier for you to plan, prepare, and pack wisely.
Let’s go through it!
When Is The Best Time To Visit Guatemala?
As mentioned earlier, the interest of the best time to travel and explore Guatemala is dynamic. Some might prefer to travel in the rainy season while some might like it in the dry season – it all depends on the traveler’s expectation and choice. But there are several factors which can validate the positive sides of different timeframes in Guatemala. We will discuss it one by one in the following blog:
Best Time To Visit Guatemala For Outdoor and Cultural Activities
If you are a trekking enthusiast or like to have outdoor activities, then the timeframe from November to March is best for you. This period is considered as a dry season in Guatemala, which features characteristics like sunny days and crisp trails.
The chances of rainfall is minimal and the surrounding guarantees you the open scenery of the beautiful landscapes. Considering the traffic, this is the Peak Time For Tourism in Guatemala and the price of travel packages are also relatively high.
Guatemala is home to different national parks, Mayan sites, and sea beaches. And traveling to famous destinations is justified by the dry season. Whether you are hiking up the Acatenango Volcano or volcanoes around Lake Atitlan, the dry season does not disdain you.
Also, travelers can expect the cultural celebrations around the corner. As the dry season begins with the hurricane season drawing closer, the locals celebrate the Day of Dead celebrations [on November 1 and 2]. Similarly, you can expect to see the construction of big kites as part of its celebrations around Santiago and Sumpango villages.
This busy time comes to an end after Semana Santa – The Holy Week, which runs up to the time of Easter in Guatemala. Besides, you can also get the insights of the decoration of streets with flowers during this festival. It is locally known as ‘alfombras,’ which is made from colored sawdust.
Another advantage of traveling during November to March in Guatemala is because of the Christmas and New Year. Tourists can stop to get involved in the Burning of the Devil ritual which takes place exactly on December 7. During this festival, you can see people throwing objects to bonfires believing that it casts out the bad spirits and devils before the start of Christmas.
Another major festival in Guatemala is the Festival of Saint Thomas, which takes place at the end of December. This festival is celebrated in the town of Chichicastenango, which features the streets full of music, dancing, and singing.
If you are a coffee lover, February serves as the best time to visit Guatemala. The coffee harvest is in full swing in February and it gives the opportunity to go on a coffee tour around the regions, such as Coban, Lake Atitlan, and Antigua.
What To Consider?
The dry season is obviously the best time to visit Guatemala, but there are some important things to keep in mind while preparing. It is imperative to understand that the nighttimes are often freezing, requiring you to pack thermal clothes and accessories. The city of Quetzaltenango often falls to freezing temperatures, so if you are planning to go hiking, you need the gear accordingly.
Since the preparation for the next planting season starts, farmers burn the old vegetation in their fields. It creates heavy smoke around the region, which can be an issue for many travelers. So anyone with allergies to such conditions must be prepared with their medications and face mask.
Best Time To Visit Guatemala For Wildlife Encounters
Those with wildlife cravings can choose the time frames between June and August to get the most out of their travel to Guatemala. The rainy season is around the corner and it brings a tropical environment around the country. It eventually creates a clean and green environment.
Hikers can visit the Mayan ruins of Tikal, situated in the Peten Jungle. Besides, another major activity not to miss is boating down the river at Semuc Champey, which gives a perfectly pleasant experience.
With clear skies, the views are crisp and clean, offering you the opportunity to explore volcano summits around. Similarly, the National Folklore Festival of Rabin Ajaw in Coban town during July is a perfect chance to experience the Mayan culture. This festival indicates and pays respect to the history, culture, and influence of Mayan women in the past and present.
The best thing is the rainy season in Guatemala falls exactly during the summer vacations in countries like the United States, Canada, and Europe. This can really be the best time to visit Guatemala in full swing.
Guatemala is also home to several language schools, and many students around the world seek this perfect time to learn Spanish here. Antigua stands out as one of the perfect destinations for studying the Spanish language, which attracts thousands of global students every year.
Apart from that, the harvesting time starts in the rainy season, precisely after June. Travelers can enjoy the taste of bananas, strawberries, mangoes, pitaya (dragonfruit), and papayas in Guatemala during their summer break.
What To Consider?
The rainy season is the second best time to visit Guatemala, but it comes with a catch. The month of June is usually damp and wet, with morning times featuring a hot and sunny environment.
But for a few weeks in July and August, canicula hits the region, which is characterized by a very hot climate requiring you to stay indoors. So, if you are planning to visit Guatemala during rainy seasons, make sure you are well prepared and equipped with gears for these climatic conditions.
Best Time To Visit Guatemala for Slow Travel
For those who are looking for slow travel, then the months of April, May, September, and October are the best times to visit Guatemala. During these time frames, the region usually gets low traffic, so there won’t be a haste to take your journey or even book the accommodation facilities.
During September and October, travelers can expect the changing weather in Guatemala. The days are relatively sunny and evenings might feature showers. Here, packing waterproof clothes like raincoats and other gear is essential.
Since the crowd will not be a problem, the accommodation cost will be relatively cheaper than other times in Guatemala. Whether you are planning to stay at a dormitory or a full house, it comes with reasonable costs and services.
Need A Prior Booking For A Hotel? Here’s Your Solution
In addition, the landscapes come to a clean view as the rain clears all the dust around the region. Vibrant flowers bring the beauty back to the region.
However, due to the evening showers, trails can be muddy, making it difficult to navigate if you’re hiking or planning outdoor activities.
Moreover, the rainy season also comes with drawbacks, such as mosquito infestation. So, you must be prepared with mosquito repellents to avoid any mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
What To Consider?
Hikers who are planning to hike through the volcanic mountains in Guatemala should pack sturdy hiking boots and waterproof clothes. As mentioned before, the months of April, May, September, and October are good for beginners. So, there must be proper preparation and planning to travel around the region, given the weather conditions.
The Best Time For Birdwatching in Guatemala
Guatemala features a diverse ecosystem and biodiversity, making it home to several flora and fauna. And it has become one of the premier destinations in the world for birdwatching. Guatemala is home to more than 700 bird species, including the resplendent quetzal, the national bird and many others.
When it comes to the best times for birdwatching in Guatemala, the dry season from November to April can be the ideal option. These months are known for their favorable weather conditions, with clear skies and minimal rainfall. These characteristics enhance bird-watching activities around the region.
Similarly, the nesting season of birds usually begins between February and April. This can be a major attraction to bird enthusiasts who engage in the vibrant plumage and mating behaviors of birds.
In contrast, the rainy season from May to October is the off-time for bird watching as this time frame is characterized by increased precipitation and humidity. Trails are muddy and the region poses a reduced bird activity, so this might not be the perfect time.
We recommend early morning excursions around Guatemala for enhanced bird-watching experiences. Travelers also can explore several locations, such as cloud forests and wetlands, so that they can catch the sights of both endemic and migratory bird species.
The Best Time for Photography in Guatemala
We have already discussed the beautiful nature, landscapes, and cultures of Guatemala. Among many travelers, some might have planned their journey solely for photography purposes, so what is the best time to visit Guatemala for photography? Let’s discuss it below!
Guatemala is undoubtedly a prime destination for photography. The country offers photography enthusiasts a diverse opportunity to capture its landscapes and cultural experiences. But to capture all these moments, timing your journey is very important. So the ideal time for photography in Guatemala is during the dry seasons from November to April. During this season, the sky is clear and there is very little chance of rainfall to make your journey challenging.
Also, these weather conditions offer favorable lighting conditions for outdoor shots. Temperatures during this season range anywhere from 20°C to 28°C, so there should not be any challenges in exploring the landscapes and towns around Guatemala.
The months of November and March stand out as ideal times for photography in Guatemala. These months offer a balance between favorable weather conditions and fewer crowds. So, photographers are out from any unwanted interference of large groups.
If you are focusing solely on Antigua, then the best hours are between 3 PM and 6 PM. During these hours, the city is covered with warm lights giving the colonial architecture and cobblestone streets much added beauty.
The Best Time For Surfing In Guatemala
Guatemala has 250 kilometers of Pacific coastline and it offers a consistent surf condition all year around. But you must perfect your timing to experience the optimal waves in this adventure.
The best time to visit Guatemala for surfing is during March, April, May, and June. During these months, Guatemala’s season transitions from dry to wet so that you can experience consistent swells and favorable weather conditions. But remember that these months are only perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers who wish to challenge larger waves and breaks.
In contrast, time from May to October features a wet season bringing challenging swells due to increased storm activity. While seasoned surfers prefer this season for surfing adventure, it might not be suitable for all. Rainfalls can be unpredictable, leading to potential travel disruptions, so essential preparations should be made accordingly.
It is important to go through the local forecasts and weather conditions before planning your surf in Guatemala.
If you are a beginner surfer, then the dry season serves best for the surfing adventure. The months from December to April feature smaller and more manageable waves best for beginners to practice their skills. Similarly, the pleasant weather conditions and fewer chances of tides on the Pacific coast make it ideal for starters.
In summary, Guatemala’s surf is accessible all around the year, but considering the weather conditions, the times between March and June are the perfect times. These periods are more favorable with small swells and waves.
Conclusion
Overall, the choice of the best time to visit Guatemala can differ from one traveler to the other as per the preferences and activities. For pleasant journey and adventure, the dry season spanning from November to April, is the best choice. It comes with moderate temperature and minimal rainfall, allowing travelers to engage in outdoor activities like hiking and trekking to Mayan ruins and more.
Some crowds also like to visit Guatemala during the rainy season spanning from May to October. Usually, these months attract fewer crowds allowing travelers to have privacy and undisturbed journey. Ultimately, the best time to visit Guatemala is when you can align your travel goals with both weather, culture, and natural beauty, that ensures a memorable trip.