Two seasons, plenty microclimates
Guatemala no get European-style four seasons. Instead e get dry season (roughly November to April) and rainy season or *invierno* (May to October). Wetin really dey shape your trip na altitude: di Western Highlands round Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Quetzaltenango dey sit for 1,500-2,500 m and dey stay like spring throughout di year, while di Pacific coast and di jungle department of Peten hot and humid well well.
Dry season (November-April): peak weather
Dis na di most reliable time for sightseeing. Days dey sunny, trails to volcanoes like Acatenango and Pacaya dey firm, and visibility over Lake Atitlan dey best. Di highlands fit cold well for night, so pack layers for December and January.
- Peak crowd and price: Christmas/New Year and Easter week
- Best volcano hiking and clear lake views
- Cooler nights for Antigua and di highlands
Shoulder season: best value
Di sweet spots na late October to mid-December and late January to March (avoid Easter). You still go get mostly dry, warm days but you go pay less for hotels for Antigua and see quieter ruins for Tikal.
Rainy season (May-October): green and quiet
Rain dey usually fall like heavy afternoon downpour, e dey leave mornings clear, so travel still dey possible. Di landscape green well and you go get Tikal and Semuc Champey almost to yourself. Avoid September and October, di wettest months wey hurricanes fit affect di Caribbean side.
Festivals wey worth plan around
- Semana Santa (Holy Week, March/April): Antigua processions over sawdust carpets (*alfombras*) dey famous worldwide; book months before
- Day of di Dead (1-2 November): big kites dey fly for Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepequez
- Quema del Diablo (7 December): Burning of di Devil dey start Christmas
- Rabin Ajau (late July/August): indigenous beauty and culture festival for Coban
- Fiesta de Santo Tomas (December): sweet fair for Chichicastenango
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