Guatemala weather by month

One of the larger central American countries, Guatemala is renowned for its archaeological sites and frequent earthquakes. It has a short Caribbean and a much longer Pacific coastline and both these regions are hot, humid and wet in the May to October rainy season.

Tranquil views over Lake Atitlán, Guatemala © Simon Dannhauer - Adobe Stock Image

Temperatures also soar in the northern plains which can be rainy at any time of year but are wettest between May and September. To the west and south lie high plateau and mountains. The capital, Guatemala City, is located on this high ground and, subsequently, has a pleasant climate with cooler temperatures and a dry season from November to April.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	22	24	25	26	25	23	23	24	23	22	22	22
Hours of sunshine (daily)	8	8	8	8	7	6	6	7	5	6	7	8
Days with some rainfall	8	7	7	9	19	26	25	24	26	22	12	9

More weather >>

More about Guatemala

Guatemala by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Recommended for Guatemala

Intrepid Travel sale: up to 15% off selected trips

Sale

Save up to 15% on selected small trips worldwide
Book tours across Europe, Africa, Asia & the Americas
Travel before 31st March 2027 (inclusive)

Go to Intrepid Travel deal >>

Expires at 23:59 on Saturday 31st Oct 2026 · View all Intrepid Travel offers

The climate guide for Guatemala (Guatemala City) shows long term monthly weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia), the Met Office & the Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Find out more about our data sources.

Guatemala climate overview

Lying in the north of Central America, Guatemala has both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. Its mainly agricultural economy has been hit hard over the years by natural disasters that have included volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes and floods.

The puffing peak of Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala © Bella Falk

A high mountain range accounts for most of the southern half of the country. This is where the majority of the population lives among no less than 30 volcanoes, most with well formed cones, some of which are still active. Cloud-jungle dominates the upper slopes with extensive dense forest covering the rolling foothills below.

The mountains are high enough to escape the tropical heat and humidity, and at altitude temperatures during the wet season are not excessive. In the dry season they are cool and it can even be cold at night. The very cloudy and rainy wet season runs from May to October, followed by a drier and sunnier 'winter' season from December to March.

In the northern half of Guatemala, vast lowland plains support huge expanses of largely inaccessible, undulating hardwood forest, dotted with the occasional banana plantation. Here it is hot with high to very high heat and humidity during the wet season, while 'winters' are warm with a brief dry season lasting from February to April.

Yaxhá Guatemala's third-largest Maya site © Bella Falk

The coastal plain along the Pacific coast is intensely cultivated, sustaining plantations of coffee, sugarcane, and bananas, alongside cotton fields. The crops benefit from the high rainfall, which is confined to the months from May to October when it is also very hot and humid. The dry season is less hot and a lot sunnier.

Guatemala lives under the constant threat of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

What to pack for Guatemala

Take light clothes if you are visiting the coasts, warmer cover-ups for the highlands and a raincoat in the wet season.

Top Guatemala destinations

Below are average maximum temperatures at popular countries, regions and places in Guatemala for next month - November. Select a destination to see the climate guide for all months of the year.