What Is The Weather Like in Guatemala?
Guatemala has a tropical climate, with weather that is largely determined by altitude. Put simply, the higher up you go the cooler it gets. Lowland jungles and areas along the coast are usually hot and tropical, while mountainous destinations can be downright chilly. Travelers will find nice springlike temperatures in cities like Antigua, Quetzaltenango, and Guatemala City.
Guatemala has a rainy and dry season. The dry season (verano) lasts from around November until May, while the rainy season (invierno) lasts from May through November. The rainy season typically sees daily showers in the afternoon; the mornings are often sunny, which allows you to get out and do things even during this season. The Western Highlands and Pacific Slope tend to be the wettest parts of the country.
In July and/or August, there is usually a break in the rain for a week or two. Known as canícula, this period aligns with summer vacation in the U.S.
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Guatemala Beaches
Guatemala's beaches aren't the main reason most travellers visit the country, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth visiting! Don't miss out on the beaches in Guatemala, because the nation's shoreline boasts Pacific and Caribbean coasts. If you're into sport fishing, head to Puerto Quetzal — Guatemala is the "Sailfish Capital of The World!" Meanwhile, in Puerto San José you can do some excellent marine mammal observation. Looking for beachside adventures that will keep you on dry land, the Pacific Coast has pleasant, nearly deserted black-sand beaches around Monterrico and Hawaii. On the Caribbean side, there are white-sand beaches just outside Lívingston, including Playa Blanca. Most of Guatemala’s beaches are uncrowded, and surfing is possible in some locations. Bottom line: wherever you decide to visit, you can be certain that these are the best beaches in Guatemala.
Pacific Slope
The Pacific Slope has long been passed over by travelers for other Guatemalan destinations, as it lacks the pristine white-sand beaches that border other Central American countries. In recent years, however, interest in this region has been building. Puerto Quetzal now sees regular arrivals of cruise ships (the passengers dock and take day-trips inland), and the coastal town of Iztapa is becoming known as the sailfishing capital of the world.
Western Highlands
The Western Highlands are one of Guatemala’s most beautiful and enchanting areas. The landscape – composed of mountains and high alpine lakes – is stunning and the cultural offerings are some of Guatemala’s best.
Guatemala City
Guatemala City is often a traveler’s first glimpse of Guatemala. As your plane descends over the capital, you witness the largest city in Central America unfold—a sprawling, colorful metropolis that spreads into a valley ringed by forested mountains and volcanoes. It’s a big and powerful place that is home to around four million people.
Antigua
The charming city of La Antigua is situated in a lush highland valley and surrounded by the cones of three volcanoes. As its name implies (Antigua means old in Spanish), this is a historic city. It was the former capital of Guatemala until an earthquake destroyed it in 1773. Following this disaster, the capital was moved to its current site at Guatemala City, but the ruins (and some of the people) of Antigua stayed put. These days, Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s foremost tourist destinations.
Quetzaltenango
Guatemala’s second largest city, Quetzaltenango (pop. 300,000), is a world apart from Guatemala City. It’s a cosmopolitan place set at an altitude of 8,000 feet (2,400 m) and is the main population center for Guatemala’s K’iche’ Mayans. Despite being a fairly big city, its residents are friendly and approachable. Quetzaltenango’s original K’iche’ name of "Xelajú" is still widely used in an abbreviated form, Xela, today.
