Climate guide for Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Best Time to Visit
Antigua Guatemala

How to read the score (0–10)
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About Antigua Guatemala

Choose January-March for this rhythm: climb Cerro de la Cruz, wander convent ruins, and taste chocolate shops. Mild highland dry months keep plaza days pleasant.

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Travel Tips

Volcano Hike Timing
Acatenango and Pacaya hikes start very early - book licensed guides and confirm what's included (meals, gear, transport). Altitude and cold nights demand layers and a headlamp.
Cobbles & Earthquakes
Antigua's cobblestones are uneven - leave the heels at home. Buildings show earthquake history; follow local guidance if you feel a tremor.
Arch Photo Crowds
The Santa Catalina Arch with Agua Volcano behind is busiest at sunset - arrive earlier for photos without tour groups. Morning light is softer and quieter.
Chicken Buses & Shuttles
Tourist shuttles to Lake Atitlán and Guatemala City are more comfortable than chicken buses with luggage. Agree taxi fares within Antigua before boarding.

Things to do in Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

When to visit Antigua Guatemala: the short answer

The best time to visit Antigua Guatemala is February, followed by January, December. Those months combine the most usable temperatures with the fewest lost days to rain: February averages 21°C with 7 mm of rain and about 25 sunny days. The months to avoid unless you have a specific reason are September, June. If budget matters more than perfect weather, May is the strongest of the low-rate months at 6.4/10.

Across the year Antigua Guatemala swings from 19°C in December to 24°C in May, a 5-degree spread, while rainfall ranges from 7 mm in February to 304 mm in September. That is the whole planning problem in one sentence: Antigua Guatemala is not equally good year-round, and the difference between the best and worst month here is 4.2 points on a 10-point scale.

Warmest month: May (24°C). Coolest: December (19°C). Driest: February (7 mm). Wettest: September (304 mm).

Antigua Guatemala month by month

January in Antigua Guatemala — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.5/10

January averages 20°C (67°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Expect 25 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 22 sunny days and 11.2 daylight hours.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Antigua Guatemala at 9.5/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection.

February in Antigua Guatemala — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.7/10

February averages 21°C (69°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 7 mm for the month, with about 25 sunny days and 11.5 hours of daylight to work with.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Antigua Guatemala at 9.7/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection.

March in Antigua Guatemala — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9/10

March averages 23°C (73°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rainfall runs 48 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 28 sunny days and 11.9 hours of daylight.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Antigua Guatemala at 9/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a packable rain layer.

April in Antigua Guatemala — reliably good (5th best month)

Good · 8/10

April averages 24°C (74°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rainfall runs 72 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 26 sunny days and 12.3 hours of daylight.

It scores 8/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a packable rain layer.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Antigua Guatemala — 1.7 points higher on the same scale.

May in Antigua Guatemala — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 6.4/10

May averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

At 133 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 24 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.

It scores 6.4/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Antigua Guatemala — 3.3 points higher on the same scale.

June in Antigua Guatemala — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 5.6/10

June averages 22°C (72°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

248 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 19 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.

It scores 5.6/10 here, 11th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Antigua Guatemala — 4.1 points higher on the same scale.

July in Antigua Guatemala — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 6.3/10

July averages 22°C (72°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

At 191 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 24 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.

It scores 6.3/10 here, 8th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Antigua Guatemala — 3.4 points higher on the same scale.

August in Antigua Guatemala — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 5.8/10

August averages 22°C (71°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

241 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 24 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.

It scores 5.8/10 here, 9th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Antigua Guatemala — 3.9 points higher on the same scale.

September in Antigua Guatemala — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 5.5/10

September averages 22°C (71°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

304 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 20 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.

It scores 5.5/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Antigua Guatemala — 4.2 points higher on the same scale.

October in Antigua Guatemala — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 5.7/10

October averages 21°C (70°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

At 181 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 17 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.

It scores 5.7/10 here, 10th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Antigua Guatemala — 4 points higher on the same scale.

November in Antigua Guatemala — reliably good (6th best month)

Good · 7.2/10

November averages 20°C (69°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rainfall runs 89 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 16 sunny days and 11.3 hours of daylight.

It scores 7.2/10 here, 6th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a packable rain layer.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Antigua Guatemala — 2.5 points higher on the same scale.

December in Antigua Guatemala — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.1/10

December averages 19°C (66°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rain is a non-issue at 11 mm for the month, with about 19 sunny days and 11.1 hours of daylight to work with.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Antigua Guatemala at 9.1/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala?
In Ideal Weather mode, the best months to visit Antigua Guatemala are February, January, December, March. February is the single peak month with an Ideal Weather score of 9.7/10 based on temperature, rainfall, humidity, daylight and historical sunny days.
What is the weather like in Antigua Guatemala year-round?
Antigua Guatemala has a climate profile suited to sightseeing and cultural travel. Average monthly temperatures range from 19°C in December to 24°C in May, with Ideal Weather scores between 5.5 and 9.7 out of 10.
Which months should I avoid in Antigua Guatemala?
The lowest Ideal Weather-scoring months in Antigua Guatemala are September (5.5/10), June (5.6/10), October (5.7/10). These months typically combine less comfortable temperatures, higher rainfall or fewer sunny days.
When is the rainy season in Antigua Guatemala?
September is the wettest month in Antigua Guatemala, averaging about 304 mm of rainfall. February is the driest, at roughly 7 mm.
Which is the sunniest month in Antigua Guatemala?
March sees the most sun in Antigua Guatemala, with about 28 sunny days on average - ideal for outdoor plans.
Is Antigua Guatemala a good destination for sightseeing and cultural travel?
Antigua Guatemala is well suited to sightseeing and cultural travel. Its highest Ideal Weather window (February, January, December, March) aligns with the conditions travelers usually look for in this style of trip.
How is the bestime.to score for Antigua Guatemala calculated?
Each month receives an Ideal Weather score from 0-10 using ERA5 climate normals for Antigua Guatemala: temperature comfort, precipitation, humidity, daylight hours, and historical sunny days - weighted for sightseeing and cultural travel.

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