Climate guide for Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

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Antigua Guatemala

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01 · Guatemala

About Antigua Guatemala

Antigua was the colonial capital until an earthquake drove the court away, and its ruined churches, convents and plaza remain UNESCO-listed. The arch of Santa Catalina frames Volcán de Agua, and the Pacaya and Acatenango volcanoes offer climbs, with coffee farms on the slopes. November to April is the dry season; Semana Santa fills the streets with processions, and the rainy months are green and quieter.

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Did you know?

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Travel Tips

01Volcano 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.
02Cobbles & Earthquakes
Antigua's cobblestones are uneven - leave the heels at home. Buildings show earthquake history; follow local guidance if you feel a tremor.
03Arch 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.
04Chicken 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 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. 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 — one of the year's strongest windows (2nd)

Best window · 9.5/10

January averages 20°C (67°F) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

Expect 25 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 22 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11.2 daylight hours.

A 9.5/10 puts this among the year's best months in Antigua Guatemala (2nd of 12); only February scores higher, at 9.7/10.

Plan for peak pricing, with 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, a hat and real sun protection.

February in Antigua Guatemala — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.7/10

February averages 21°C (69°F) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

Rain is a non-issue at 7 mm for the month, with about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine 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.

Plan for peak pricing, with 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, a hat and real sun protection.

March ranks 4th of 12 for Antigua Guatemala — one of the best windows

Best window · 9/10

At 23°C (73°F) this is comfortable city weather in March, with sightseeing easiest before lunch and after the afternoon peak.

Budget for roughly 48 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 28 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11.9 hours of daylight to work around it.

On our climate-comfort scale this is one of the strongest months of the year for Antigua Guatemala at 9/10 (4th of 12), just behind February at 9.7/10.

Budget for mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, a hat 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) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

Rainfall runs 72 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 26 days with 6+ hours of sunshine 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.

Figure on mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.

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

Flexible dates? February scores 1.7 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

May in Antigua Guatemala — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 6.4/10

At 24°C (75°F) this is comfortable city weather in May, with sightseeing easiest before lunch and after the afternoon peak.

133 mm of rain makes this a wet month here, though with about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine there is still bright weather between the fronts.

That is 6.4/10 on the same scale — 7th of 12 months, versus 9.7/10 for the best month here.

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

Pack light clothing, a hat 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) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

248 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 19 days with 6+ hours of sunshine 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.

Figure on low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.

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

Flexible dates? February scores 4.1 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

July in Antigua Guatemala: mixed conditions, plan around the weather

Trade-offs · 6.3/10

July averages 22°C (72°F) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

Monthly rainfall reaches 191 mm — wet for this destination — but about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.

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

Plan for mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.

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

Flexible dates? February scores 3.4 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

August in Antigua Guatemala: mixed conditions, plan around the weather

Trade-offs · 5.8/10

At 22°C (71°F) this is comfortable city weather in August, with sightseeing easiest before lunch and after the afternoon peak.

This is the year's wettest stretch at 241 mm, but with about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine it is not a total loss; an indoor fallback covers the risk.

That is 5.8/10 on the same scale — 9th of 12 months, versus 9.7/10 for the best month here.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, a hat 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 — middling scores, decent value

Trade-offs · 5.5/10

At 22°C (71°F) this is comfortable city weather in September, with sightseeing easiest before lunch and after the afternoon peak.

This is the year's wettest stretch at 304 mm, but with about 20 days with 6+ hours of sunshine it is not a total loss; an indoor fallback covers the risk.

That is 5.5/10 on the same scale — 12th of 12 months, versus 9.7/10 for the best month here.

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

Pack light clothing, a hat 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 — middling scores, decent value

Trade-offs · 5.7/10

October averages 21°C (70°F) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

At 181 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 17 days with 6+ hours of sunshine 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.

Figure on low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.

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

Flexible dates? February scores 4 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

November in Antigua Guatemala: strong conditions, 6th of 12

Good · 7.2/10

November averages 20°C (69°F) — pleasant for mornings and evenings on foot in the city, with a midday break when the sun is strongest.

Rainfall runs 89 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 16 days with 6+ hours of sunshine 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.

Plan for mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.

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

Flexible dates? February scores 2.5 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

December is one of the strongest months in Antigua Guatemala (3rd)

Best window · 9.1/10

At 19°C (66°F) this is comfortable city weather in December, with sightseeing easiest before lunch and after the afternoon peak.

At just 11 mm for the month, rain will not shape your plans; you get about 19 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11.1 hours of daylight.

On our climate-comfort scale this is one of the strongest months of the year for Antigua Guatemala at 9.1/10 (3rd of 12), just behind February at 9.7/10.

Budget for 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, a hat and real sun protection.

FAQ

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 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
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 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
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 days with 6+ hours of sunshine 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 days with 6+ hours of sunshine - weighted for sightseeing and cultural travel.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

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Curated in Antigua Guatemala

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