Guatemala's weather is decided by altitude more than by latitude, and the country stacks three climates on top of each other. Where you are matters more than what month it is, and an itinerary that crosses them needs more than one answer.
We fly year-round. In the rainy season the pilot in command decides; if weather stops a flight, it is rescheduled at no cost.
The three zones
The highlands — Antigua, Atitlán, the western markets, at 1,500 metres and above — are temperate year-round. Warm days, cool nights, and never hot.
The Petén in the north is lowland jungle: hot and humid all year, with the heat being the constraint rather than the rain.
And the coasts, Pacific and Caribbean, are hot, humid and far less visited than the other two.
The broad calendar
The dry season runs roughly November to April. Clear mornings, volcanoes visible, firm trails, and the peak of the visitor year.
The wet season runs roughly May to October, and it is more predictable than the name suggests: mornings are frequently clear and the rain arrives in the afternoon on a schedule you can plan around.
September and October are the wettest, and they are also when mountain roads are most likely to close from landslides. That is an itinerary risk more than a weather one.
The highlands, specifically
Cold at night, year-round. Antigua at roughly 1,500 metres and the lake at 1,560 are cool after dark in every month, and the western highlands around Quetzaltenango are colder still.
November to February are the coolest nights and the clearest days — the best combination for volcano views, and the worst for anyone who packed only for the tropics.
March to May is the warmest, and April is the hottest month before the rains break.
The Petén, specifically
Hot all year. The dry months are more comfortable and the trails at Tikal are firm; the wet months are hotter, greener, emptier and muddier.
Wildlife is more active in the wet season, which is the trade-off for the mud.
Whenever you go, go early. Midday heat at Tikal is the real limit, and the first three hours after opening are the site at its best.
Semana Santa
Holy Week in Antigua is among the most famous religious celebrations in the Americas, with sawdust carpets laid in the streets and processions through the town.
It is extraordinary and it fills the place completely. Accommodation goes months ahead, prices rise, and the shuttles and roads are at capacity.
Decide deliberately. It is either the reason for your trip or the week to avoid, and there is no middle position. We show a "from" price per route; the final fare depends on the date, the group and the baggage, and is confirmed in writing before booking.
Month by month, roughly
November to February: the best overall window. Dry, clear, cool nights, volcano views.
March to April: warm and dry, building toward the heat. Semana Santa falls here.
May to August: afternoon rain, green landscape, fewer visitors, good wildlife in the Petén.
September to October: the wettest. Cheapest and emptiest, and the months most likely to cost you a road. We check travel advisories before confirming each route and tell you if they change.
Planning around it
If you have a week in the wet season, build slack. A closed mountain road is an itinerary problem, and the Petén leg is the one to fly rather than drive when the weather is unsettled — Flores is 145,1 nautical miles from the capital.
And pack for two climates regardless. Every Guatemala trip that includes both highlands and lowlands needs a layer and a set of light clothes, in any month.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Guatemala?
November to February: dry, clear, cool nights and the best volcano views.
How bad is the wet season?
More predictable than it sounds. Mornings are often clear and rain arrives in the afternoon. September and October are the wettest.
Is it cold in Guatemala?
In the highlands, at night, year-round. Antigua and the lake sit above 1,500 metres and the western highlands are colder still.
What is the Petén like?
Hot and humid all year. Dry months are more comfortable; wet months are greener, emptier and better for wildlife.
Should I go during Semana Santa?
Decide deliberately. It is extraordinary and it fills Antigua completely, with accommodation booked months ahead.
What should I pack?
For two climates, in any month. A layer for the highland nights and light clothes for the Petén.