Best time to visit Guatemala

The climate in Guatemala through the year

When to go

Guatemala scores highest on Eddigo’s travel score in November–April, with an average of 85 out of 100 in February across the 14 destinations Eddigo covers. Daytime highs in February range from 20°C in Totonicapán to 34°C in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. The lowest average is in September (41), with daytime highs from 20°C to 33°C.

Where in the country

In February, the highest scores are in Quetzaltenango (98), Totonicapán (98) and Villa Nueva (96), while Puerto Barrios scores 63. The destinations do not all peak at the same time:

• February: Guatemala City, Villa Nueva, Cobán, Quetzaltenango, Jalapa and 6 more
• December: Escuintla and Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa
• January: Coatepeque

Warmest, coolest, wettest and driest

Over the year, Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa is the warmest destination (daytime highs averaging 33°C) and Totonicapán the coolest (20°C). Cobán gets the most precipitation, about 2,890 mm a year, and Jalapa the least, about 1,260 mm. The highest-lying is Totonicapán at about 2,500 m. The warmest sea is at Villa Nueva: 31°C in August.

By type of trip

The best months change with what you want to do. With Eddigo’s trip types, Guatemala averages 65 or more in these months:

• Beach holiday: November–April. Best in February: Jutiapa (98), Villa Nueva (97) and Escuintla (96)
• City break: December–March. Best in February: Quetzaltenango (98), Totonicapán (98) and Chichicastenango (96)
• Hiking: December–March. Best in February: Quetzaltenango (95), Totonicapán (94) and Chichicastenango (91)