Best Time To Visit Guatemala

Best Time to Visit Guatemala by Season

• Dry season: November to April
• Wet season: May to October

Where you travel in the country is crucial since Guatemala is divided into three climatic zones depending on altitude. The low lying region of Guatemala boasts an altitude of up to 1000 meters and is known as the Tierra Caliente. With the Pacific Coast and the rainforest to its north, the climate in this area is tropical with high humidity throughout the year. Rainfall occurs every day and daytime temperatures can reach as high as 104°F! Nights are not much cooler with the temperature rarely dipping below the high 60s.

The slightly higher regions between 1000 and 1800 meters of altitude – the Tierra Templada – are characterized by volcanic mountains, leading to a temperate climate. It’s often pleasantly warm and dry during the dry season in these areas, making it the ideal time for your Guatemala vacation. However, regions at altitudes higher than 1800 meters–the Tierra Fria–can get quite cool at night.

The rainy season lasts from May to October with short and heavy showers throughout this time. It usually gets cloudy around lunchtime and by afternoon, heavy downpours can be expected everywhere. It also rains at night quite often. Rainfall can problematic for traveling in some areas, especially those where the road conditions are not good. This is because, in the high mountains, heavy rainfall often leads to floods and landslides.

What to Pack

Central America is a huge region of spectacular scenic diversity. From rainforests to mountains and volcanoes, and coastal areas, the weather conditions can vary depending on where you wish to travel.

Generally speaking, the climate in Central America isn’t very diverse. It tends to be warm all year, with tropical or subtropical humidity, and frequent downpours during the wetter seasons. The only real seasonal difference is that some months experience much greater rainfall than others.

Don’t worry about a dress code! Central America is generally very relaxed and almost adventure-styled in some remote regions such as Arenal. You might want to pack something fancier for a night out in a bustling metropolis such as Antigua, but only five-star hotels and a few restaurants actually expect some sort of etiquette in the evening.

Important: If you are taking domestic flights we recommend you pack light because the baggage limits are much lower than on international flights. Please check the ‘Luggage Transport Allowance’ section. Now that you have a good idea of when you should visit this lovely country, have a look at our guide on the best things to do in Guatemala. If you have any questions, our travel experts will be glad to answer them for you.