Ceiba Trees in Bloom, Guatemala 2024-2025
Thousands of blossoms open one after another and hundreds of bats converge on the trees to collect the sweet nectar
Best time: December–April
Listed among the world's unique trees and considered Guatemala's national tree, the Ceiba tree is truly splendid during its blooming season between December and April. As soon as a tree gets rid of its foliage, the newly-formed buds prepare for the spectacle. The blossom show starts at 6 pm: the flowers appear one after another—around 1,000 buds can open within a short period of 20 minutes. Though the trees will continue to bloom throughout the entire week, each separate flower lasts only one day. This means that the next day after the blooming season's start, thousands of withered flowers fall down en masse like rain.
Ceiba Tree Bloom Season
Typically, ceiba tree flowers are believed to bloom during the dry season in Guatemala, from December through April. However, as some observations have shown, the blooming process is quite irregular, with very rare sightings of flowering ceiba trees in late November and December. Some trees don't bloom annually, and it's quite difficult to predict which ones do.
You can take a closer look at the tree and see if any buds are forming on its branches. The buds open in the evening, at around 6 pm, with all buds revealing their beauty at 7 pm. The bloom will stay up for around a week; however, each flower's lifespan is only one night,
Spots to Witness Ceiba Tree Bloom
As the national tree of Guatemala, ceiba trees can be found all throughout the country, bringing joy to the residents of the cities and villages. The town of Palin is home to a 400-year-old tree, while Tikal National Park boasts a large number of ceiba trees growing on its grounds.
Palin, Escuintla
Situated at the foot of the Sierra Madre volcanic chain, just 25 miles (40 km) away from Guatemala City, Palin draws visitors to its central square, where a large ceiba tree is located. You can park close by and take a five-minute walk to the tree. The 400-year-old tree has long become the city's landmark and is regularly decorated for holidays and events.
Tikal National Park
If you want to witness ceiba trees blooming in their natural element, Tikal National Park is the perfect option, offering 222 square miles (575 sq km) to explore. The park is home to the remains and historical landmarks of the Mayan civilization but also boasts a vibrant variety of flora and fauna. Large ceiba trees are scattered all throughout the park. Tikal National Park is open from 6 am until 5 pm. Adult tickets cost 150 Guatemalan Quetzal, while children under 12 years old can enter for free. If you purchase tickets after 3 pm, they are valid for the next day of your visit.
Tips for Ceiba Tree Blooming
The buds are also knocked off by hundreds of messy bats converging on the blooming ceibas to collect nectar. It is funny to observe them fussing among the flowers and covering themselves with yellow pollen. If you stand below a ceiba tree during such a performance, you risk being soiled, but the extraordinary experience is worth it—just wear some old clothes and enjoy! Mind that the trees are usually tall, so it is a good idea to find a short one or use a ladder.
