Guatemala tours & holidays

Just like much of Central America, Guatemala has a wet and dry season, with a pretty consistent temperature throughout the year. July to August and December to January are the peak seasons for travelling, which coincide with US and European summer holidays and winter breaks. However, visiting outside these times may mean that you not only escape the crowds but you'll also be able to fit in a couple of popular Guatemalan festivals.

The dry season is from November to March, which is generally considered the best time to visit as the weather is warm and sunny. However, this is also the busiest tourist time so expect more people about, especially around Christmas and Easter and in the main cities.

Read more about the best time to visit Guatemala

What is the weather like in Guatemala?

Temperatures across Guatemala sit on average, at a comfortable 22°C nearly year-round, and don’t differ too much in terms of season, but vary with the altitude.

In the wetter season, running from April until around September, rainfall is much more abundant; however, it would only disrupt your outdoor plans in the afternoon. The central region has mostly clear skies during the day, with a downpour in the mid to late afternoon.

In the shoulder season (September–October), rains begin to ease up, but October is peak hurricane season. Mild temperatures and clear days make this a good time to travel and hike in the highlands.

The dry season from November through to April sees average temperatures drop slightly in the hilly central region – Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Coban and surrounds – to around 18°C.

Before the Spanish colonised this part of the world, hunter-gatherers lived on the land for thousands of years. Olmecs were in the region from 1500 BC, and in the following centuries, Maya civilisations came to dominate, and sites like Peten, Tikal, Cival and El Mirador were established.

Today, Guatemalan culture is a vibrant mix of Spanish, European and Maya customs and languages. Although most of the population is Catholic, many indigenous communities still have links to ancient Maya rituals and practice these alongside their Christian faith. This is especially prevalent in villages where you commonly see people dressed in colourful traditional clothing, celebrating various age-old festivals and producing local handicrafts to sell at village markets.

Some of Guatemala’s most popular festivals and events include Semana Santa, The Festival Folklorico de Coban, Dia de los Muertos and The Fiesta de Santo Tomas.

Guatemala shares borders with Belize, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador and is predominately mountainous terrain except for pockets of land on the south coast and northern lowlands. With large areas of rainforest, cloud forest, woodlands and mangroves providing a habitat for a huge range of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects, Guatemala is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world.

The varied environments and climates provide the perfect conditions for an array of wildlife, especially of the flying kind. Be sure to keep a keen eye out for some of Guatemala's famed birdlife on your travels.

Touted as the birthplace of chocolate, Guatemala obviously knows a thing or two about flavour. The food here is among the best in Central America, so hit the markets for some street snacks or a restaurant for a more formal and wholesome meal.

Must-try dishes and drinks in Guatemala

1. Elotes
   The simplicity of this dish is what wins travellers over. Take a fresh ear of corn, roast it on a barbecue, add cheese, lime, butter and chilli, and serve it on a stick. Cheap and easy – you really can’t go wrong.
   
2. Chiles rellenos
   Chiles rellenos are another popular street food snack – peppers stuffed with pork and vegetables, then lightly battered and fried.
   
3. Tamales
   This is one of the most popular comfort foods in Guatemala and a staple in a lot of Central American cuisines. Tamales are a corn-dough-based dish, boiled or steamed and served wrapped in a plantain leaf. Typical fillings include chicken, pork, cheese and vegetables, as well as sweet dessert fillings like fruit or almonds.
   
4. Pepian
   Probably the most representative Guatemalan dish, pepian is a spiced and slightly bitter stew, with pumpkin seeds, tomatoes and guisquil, a type of squash. Try a chicken, pork or beef one, or mix and match your meats!
   
5. Kak’ik
   What’s a cuisine without a signature soup? Kak’ik is a sweet and sour broth made with turkey and often served when christening a new home in Guatemala. Be sure to ramp up the spice with some chilli paste, usually served on the side.
   
6. Spiced mango
   Most cities and markets in Guatemala will have street carts selling mango spiced with chilli and lime. The blend of sweet and bitter flavours with a hint of spice is a perfect pick-me-up during your day of exploring.
   
7. Limonada con soda
   You think you’ve tried lemonade? Well, the Guatemalans take it next level. This zesty soft drink is made with real lemons and is the perfect refreshment on a hot and humid day of touring lanes and markets.

The official currency of Guatemala is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ).

Credit cards can be used at most large restaurants, shops and other tourist hotspots. Expect to pay cash when dealing with smaller vendors, family-run restaurants and market stalls. Make sure you have smaller denominations of currency with you when you’re purchasing at local vendors to make transactions simpler and easier.

Internationally compatible ATMs can be found in most of Guatemala’s major cities. ATMs are far less common in rural areas and small villages, so make sure you have cash on hand to cover purchases when travelling away from the larger cities.