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Guatemala travel guide

Small inland towns, 1 coastal stop and March as the month to aim for

Best: Mar

Photo: Isaac Cortés / Pexels

Capital
Guatemala City
Language
Spanish
Currency
Guatemalan quetzal
Time zone
UTC-06:00
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
128 / 120 / 123

Why visit Guatemala

Guatemala suits independent travellers who like moving between small inland towns more than beach holidays. Of the 6 main places we list, only Livingston is on the coast. The rest, including Antigua Guatemala, Panajachel, San Pedro La Laguna and Quetzaltenango, are inland. At 108,889 km², the country is small enough to link several stops in 1 trip. March is the best month to go. The honest limit: it is the only month our data rates highly, so your ideal window is narrow.

  • Plan your trip for March

    Our data picks out March as the best month to visit Guatemala. It is the only month on the list, so build your plans around it if your dates are flexible. Outside March, check local conditions before you book.

  • Antigua Guatemala, a smaller base

    Antigua Guatemala has about 59,091 people. Guatemala City, the capital, has about 994,938. If you want a calmer place to stay than the capital, Antigua is the smaller choice on our city list.

  • Quetzaltenango for a second city

    Quetzaltenango, with about 207,620 people, is the second-largest city on our list after the capital. It is inland, so it suits travellers who want city life away from the coast and away from Guatemala City.

  • Livingston, the coastal option

    Livingston is the only coastal city in our list, with about 80,249 people. If you want time by the sea during your trip, this is the place in our data to look at first.

  • Small towns and easy basics

    Panajachel has about 16,101 people and San Pedro La Laguna about 11,828, if you prefer small towns. Spanish is the language and the quetzal is the currency. Plugs are types A and B at 120 V, and the time zone is UTC-06:00.

Is Guatemala right for you?

Great for

  • Travellers who dislike heat: average highs stay between 20 and 25°C all year.
  • Dry-season trips in March, with about 12 rain days and 10.2 sun hours a day.
  • Visitors who want to use their Spanish, since Spanish is the main language.
  • North American visitors: type A and B plugs, 120 V, and the UTC-06:00 time zone.
  • Small-town stays, such as Antigua Guatemala (59,091 people) or Panajachel (16,101).

Less ideal for

  • Beach holidays: only Livingston, 1 of the 6 main towns listed, is on the coast.
  • Trips from June to October, when it rains on 26.6 to 28.9 days a month.
  • November trips, the wettest month with about 370 mm of rain.
  • People who want warm evenings in January and February, when lows are about 13°C.

Guatemala right now: September

7.0/10
Avg high
24°C
Avg low
16°C
Rain days
29

Averages for Guatemala.

Weather by month

In the 2015–2024 climate data for Guatemala, March is the best month, with 12 rain days, 125 mm of rain, 10.2 hours of sun a day and highs of 23°C. No month scores badly, but September to November are the wettest, with up to 370 mm of rain in November and 27 to 29 rain days in September and October.

Average highs and lows in Guatemala by month January: high 20°C, low 13°C , 18 rain days . February: high 21°C, low 13°C , 14 rain days . March: high 23°C, low 14°C , 12 rain days . April: high 25°C, low 15°C , 14 rain days . May: high 25°C, low 17°C , 22 rain days . June: high 24°C, low 17°C , 27 rain days . July: high 23°C, low 16°C , 28 rain days . August: high 24°C, low 16°C , 28 rain days . September: high 24°C, low 16°C , 29 rain days . October: high 22°C, low 16°C , 27 rain days . November: high 21°C, low 15°C , 22 rain days . December: high 20°C, low 14°C , 17 rain days . 20°C 13°C JAN 18d 21°C 13°C FEB 14d 23°C 14°C MAR 12d 25°C 15°C APR 14d 25°C 17°C MAY 22d 24°C 17°C JUN 27d 23°C 16°C JUL 28d 24°C 16°C AUG 28d 24°C 16°C SEP 29d 22°C 16°C OCT 27d 21°C 15°C NOV 22d 20°C 14°C DEC 17d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Guatemala (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Guatemala: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Capital, Antigua and two lakeside towns

  1. Day 1

    Guatemala City

    Arrive in the capital, the largest city in the country with about 994938 people. Use the day to rest, change money into quetzales and get a local SIM.

  2. Day 2–3

    Antigua Guatemala

    Move to Antigua Guatemala, a much smaller city of about 59091 people. Walk the old centre at a slow pace and use it as a calm base to adjust to the country.

  3. Day 4–5

    Panajachel

    Continue to Panajachel, a small town of about 16101 people. Spend your time walking, eating local food and planning the next leg of the trip.

  4. Day 6–7

    San Pedro La Laguna

    Finish in San Pedro La Laguna, the smallest stop on this route. Keep these days loose for rest, short walks and time in local cafés before you head home.

10 days

Highlands loop with a Quetzaltenango finish

  1. Day 1

    Guatemala City

    Land in Guatemala City, the capital. Keep the first day simple: rest, sort out money and phone, and get used to the time zone.

  2. Day 2–3

    Antigua Guatemala

    Head to Antigua Guatemala for two quieter days. Explore the old streets on foot and use the town as an easy first base.

  3. Day 4–5

    Panajachel

    Move on to Panajachel, a town of about 16101 people. Take it slow, try local food and book your onward transport here.

  4. Day 6–7

    San Pedro La Laguna

    Stay in San Pedro La Laguna, a small town of about 11828 people. It suits travellers who want rest days, short walks and a slower rhythm.

  5. Day 8–10

    Quetzaltenango

    End in Quetzaltenango, the second-largest city on this route with about 207620 people. Give yourself time to walk the centre, eat well and see everyday city life away from the main tourist stops.

Food to try in Guatemala

Pepián

A thick stew of chicken or beef in a sauce of roasted seeds, dried chillies and tomatoes. It is often called the national dish and is usually eaten at lunch with rice and tortillas.

Kak'ik

A spicy red turkey soup from the Q'eqchi' Maya of Alta Verapaz, in the north. Look for it in and around Cobán, served with rice and small tamales.

Tamales

Corn dough filled with meat and red sauce, wrapped in plantain or banana leaves and steamed. Families often eat them at weekends and on Christmas Eve.

Chuchitos

Small, firm tamales wrapped in corn husks, filled with meat and topped with tomato sauce and crumbly cheese. They are a cheap, filling street snack sold in markets and at stalls.

Rellenitos

Mashed plantain shaped around sweet black beans, then fried and dusted with sugar. They are eaten as a dessert or an afternoon snack and are sold at bakeries and street stands.

Atol de elote

A warm, sweet drink made from fresh corn, milk and cinnamon. Street vendors sell it in cups, often in the evening when highland towns turn cool.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Guatemala uses plug types A and B, the flat-pin style used in the USA and Canada. The supply is 120 V. If you come from a higher-voltage region such as most of Europe, check your chargers are dual-voltage or bring a converter.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. If you usually drive on the left, take extra care at junctions and when overtaking, especially in your first few days.
  • Emergency numbers: Guatemala has several emergency numbers: 128, 120 and 123. Save all 3 in your phone before you arrive, and ask your accommodation which one to call for police, fire or medical help.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Guatemalan quetzal. Plan how you will get local cash before you travel, and carry some for small purchases and transport.
  • Language: Spanish is the language you will need. English may be limited outside tourist businesses, so learn basic phrases or download an offline Spanish translation app before you go.
  • Time zone: Guatemala is on UTC-06:00. Check the time difference with home before booking calls or connecting flights.
  • Phone calls: The country calling code is +502. Add it in front of local numbers when calling from a foreign phone, and save key contacts in this format.

Guatemala: frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Guatemala?

March is the best month, with a score of 7.6, the highest of the year. It has the fewest rainy days, about 12, and 125 mm of rain. You get about 10.2 hours of sun a day and highs near 23°C. April is a close second. It has the least rain at 108 mm, the most sun at 10.9 hours and highs near 25°C.

When is the rainy season in Guatemala?

The wet months run from May to November. Rainy days rise from about 14 in April to 22 in May and peak at 29 in September. Rain totals are highest in October (346 mm) and November (370 mm), with June at 322 mm. These months still score about 7, so travel is possible, but expect rain on most days. If rain would spoil your trip, go in March or April.

Is Guatemala good to visit in August?

Yes, if you can accept a lot of rain. August scores 7 and counts as a good month, but it has about 28 rainy days and 237 mm of rain. There are still about 10 hours of sun a day. Highs are near 24°C and lows near 16°C, so it is warm but not hot. Pack a rain jacket.

How warm is Guatemala and what should I pack?

Guatemala is mild all year, not hot. Average highs range from 20°C in January to 25°C in May. Lows range from about 13°C in January to about 17°C in June. December to February are the coolest months, with nights around 13–14°C, so bring a warm layer. From May to November, add rain gear.

What plugs, voltage and currency does Guatemala use?

Guatemala uses plug types A and B, and the voltage is 120 V. If your devices only work at a higher voltage, bring a converter, not just an adapter. The currency is the Guatemalan quetzal. The main language is Spanish, so a few basic phrases will help outside the tourist areas.

What is the emergency number in Guatemala?

Guatemala's emergency numbers are 128, 120 and 123. Save them in your phone before you arrive. The country calling code is +502, and the time zone is UTC-06:00. If you plan to rent a car, note that traffic drives on the right.

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