Best time to visit Guatemala
Best time of year to visit Guatemala
People call Guatemala ‘the country of eternal spring’ as it’s warm with chilly evenings all year round. The best time to visit Guatemala is considered from November through April when the sun is shining pleasantly, the weather is mild and bright events like Day of the Dead Kite Festival and Easter happen. However, this period is the most expensive and touristic, especially during the Semana Santa. To avoid the crowds, plan your trip during the shoulder and low season from May to October. Rainy period in Guatemala is not that bad—heavy downpours are only the afternoon's prerogative with the rest of the day being warm and peachy. Northern territories close to Beliz border get most rains, and some of the roads are impassable. This season is all about rafting and surfing.
16 THINGS TO DO IN GUATEMALA (FEBRUARY 02 - FEBRUARY 11)
Semuc Champey: Natural Pool Staircase
A collection of turquoise pool stairs are remarkable for their natural perfection, uniqueness, and beauty
Coffee Harvest
There is never too much coffee. Indulge in Guatemala's best during the harvest festivities
Trekking and Volcano Climbing
The most impressive and challenging hiking trails wind up and down Guatemala's active volcanoes
Speedy Turtles
Watching recently-hatched baby turtles "rushing" towards the sea is adorable and affordable for everyone
Lake Atitlán
The sight of the ethereal crater basin is said to make the best of those who observe the beauty
Tikal
The remains of the ancient Mayan civilization hidden in lush jungles are best observed from the highest pyramids
Boqueron Canyon
Guatemalan wildlife literally roars just a few steps away from your lonely boat crossing the canyon
Boat Trip around Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce, and Livingston
Lake Izabal provides a gateway to Rio Dulce which will carry your lazy boat to an isolated peninsula town populated by African refugees
Candlelit Caving
Feel the urge of a thrilling adventure? Challenge yourself to the dark waterways of Guatemala's bat-filled caves
Scuba Diving
The underwater wealth of Guatemala's basins includes abundant flora and fauna, ship wrecks, and entire ancient settlements
Birdwatching
Guatemala's rich avifauna boasts the fairy-like quetzal and over 700 more species
White Water Rafting
This raging river flows along tropical forests full of iguanas and toucans watching the rafters from the banks
Swimming at Finca el Paraíso
The blend of a hot waterfall and a chilly river can harden your body and calm your mind
Zapote Mamey, Chico Zapote, and Mamey
Zapote season brings lots of delights from natural chewing gum to smoothies, fruit punch, and other fruit delicacies
Ceiba Trees in Bloom
Thousands of blossoms open one after another and hundreds of bats converge on the trees to collect the sweet nectar
Black Beans or Frijoles Negros
Either boiled or fried, a portion of black beans will perfectly satisfy your hunger
20 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua
out of rangeDeemed world's greatest Easter Week Festival, local celebrations amaze with fervent and colorful ceremonies
Festival de Barriletes Gigantes or Day of the Dead Kite Festival
out of rangeGiant flamboyant hand-made kites embody the millennia-old tradition of communicating with the dead
Fiesta de Santo Tomás
out of rangeIn honour of this Catholic Saint, Guatemalans perform a traditional indigenous dance
Día de la Asunción
out of rangeThe feast of Mary is memorable due to colourful processions and traditional Mayan pole flyer dancing
Mayan New Year's Celebration
out of rangeObserve authentic indigenous traditions in the 21st century
Quema del Diablo or Burning the Devil
out of rangeAs the clock strikes 6, the townspeople of Guatemala City leave their homes to set the devil on fire
Mayan Pole Flyer Dancing or El Baile del Palo Volador
out of rangeStunning air dancers resemble circus acrobats, but in fact, this is a part of Guatemala's ancient Mayan cultural heritage
Pitaya or Dragon Fruit
out of rangeThese famous magenta-coloured Guatemalan licuados and yoghurt smoothies are made of red dragon fruit
Carnaval de Mazatenango
out of rangeEggshells, confetti, and lots of fun make Сarnaval en Guatemala unique
Mayan Equinox and Solstice
out of rangeLiving Mayan history and culture can be observed during the Equinox and Solstice ceremonial celebrations
Fiambre
out of rangeGuatemala's festive delicacies are only outmatched by the traditional Fiambre composed of 50 unique ingredients and available just once a year!
Tamales
out of rangeGuatemalan norms of etiquette allow only one of these multicolored delicacies to be eaten at a time
Jocote
out of rangeGreen, yellow, and red—very sour, moderately sour, and sweet—you decide what to eat
Maximón
out of rangeA womanizer, drunkard, and chain-smoker is worshipped in some parts of Guatemala as a saint
Zompopos de Mayo
out of rangeMmm, yummy ant butts taste and crunch like peanuts and the season is too short to linger!
Corn Specialties
out of rangeAlong with common yellow corn, local farmers cultivate unique multicoloured varieties that are likewise delicious!
Jocotes en Dulce
out of rangeThis savoury fruit is stored for several months after the harvest to later sweeten the Christmas season
Nisperos
out of rangeApart from being eaten raw, sweet nisperos are used in syrups, jams, chutneys, jellies, tarts, and pies
Surfing
out of rangeSurf longing vacationers will enjoy Guatemalan southern swell
Día de la Independencia
out of rangeHistorical reenactments such as the torch relay and "La Conquista" represent the uniqueness of the independence festival
