8 Reasons Why The Dry Season Is The Best Time To Visit Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America with gorgeous landscapes. For example, there are stunning waterfalls, rainforests, and even volcanoes for travelers to explore during their visit to Guatemala. The country has countless appealing features that make it a great tourism destination, regardless of how pre-planned a traveler’s trip is or what they want to do. Guatemala has a distinct and intriguing culture, although it is a somewhat underrated destination. There is much for visitors to do and see, especially during the best time to visit Guatemala. The tropical destination shines in the dry season, or between November and April.
Average Temperature This Time of Year
70-90 Degrees F
Weather
The weather in Guatemala is considered nice year-long, but the dry season is pretty pleasant compared to the rainy season. For travelers who want to spend a significant amount of time outdoors, the dry season is the best time to visit Guatemala. There is minimal rainfall during this season and warm temperatures, which makes the weather ideal at this time. Travelers can enjoy the blooms from the rainy season even if they visit during the dry season. The lush green landscapes flourish, and bright blue skies make their appearance in Guatemala during the dry season. Travelers can expect the warmest temperatures of the dry season during March and April.
Photo credit: Andres Ch Mendez/Unsplash
Travel Tip: Travelers visiting Guatemala during the dry season should aim for November, March, or April to avoid the crowds that also aim for the best time to visit.
Cost
It is relatively inexpensive for travelers to visit Guatemala during the dry season, even though it is the high tourism season due to the pleasant weather. Travelers should not have to break the bank to afford accommodations, food, public transportation, and sightseeing activities in Guatemala. Travelers should book their accommodations well ahead of time to catch any possible deals. It is also advisable that visitors coming to Guatemala during the dry season reserve their excursions or activities ahead of time. Doing these things will help travelers establish their budget beforehand so that any miscellaneous costs depend on the local cost of living, which is pretty cheap.
Photo credit: Perry Grone/Unsplash
Travel Tip: Buses are an affordable and convenient way to get around Guatemala. Most areas are considered cheap, but Antigua is the most expensive place to stay. That is mainly because meals can cost around $15 each, which is still relatively inexpensive to some.
Cultural Festivals
Guatemala is filled with festivals during the dry season. The amount of local events makes it the best time to visit Guatemala, especially for travelers who like to immerse themselves in their selected destination. Events are much less likely to be rained out during the dry season so travelers can enjoy festivals to the fullest. The Day of the Dead is one of Guatemala’s most culturally significant festivals. While this honorary celebration is often associated with Mexico, Guatemala observes El Día de los Muertos in early November. Guatemala’s celebration of life and death is marked by a lively atmosphere and many local processions. Travelers will likely be able to enjoy live music, traditional dance, and unique dishes like Fiambre.
Photo credit: Jeison Higuita/Unsplash
Travel Tip: If travelers want to visit Guatemala during El Día de los Muertos and observe festivities, they should plan their trip during the first week of November.
Diverse Landscapes
The dry season is one of the best times to explore the landscape of Guatemala. The small country has contrasting features. Some of the most dazzling land features are mountains, beaches, and volcanos. For active travelers who want to see the varying landscapes of Guatemala, hiking is very popular. Hiking is delightful during the dry season since the weather is pleasant. The weather is more stable since the skies are sunny and there is minimal rainfall, so travelers can explore the terrain easily. A unique experience that travelers may be excited to take part in is exploring a volcano. Travelers can hike the Acatenango volcano. During the dry season, visitors note that there are unobstructed views of the lush landscape and surrounding volcanoes.
Photo credit: Alain Bonnardeaux/Unsplash
Travel Tip: Guatemala has a variety of volcanic landscapes, so travelers should be careful when selecting a trail that best matches their fitness level and personal preferences. Acatenango is a great place for beginner hikers.
Mayan Sites
Guatemala is home to over 1,500 ancient Mayan ruins. During their visit, travelers can immerse themselves in Tikal ruins, El Mirador, and other Mayan cities. In addition to their historical and cultural significance, these sites stand out for other reasons. The intricate details of the Mayan ruins are impressive. The architecture of the ruins provides more context to the history of the Mayans, so travelers should check them out to immerse themselves in Guatemalan culture.
Photo credit: Florian Delée/Unsplash
Travel Tip: Travelers visiting or touring the ancient ruin sites in Guatemala should bring sunscreen, light layers of clothing, and mosquito repellent.
Antigua
Despite its small size and population, Antigua is one of the most popular cities in Guatemala. It is filled with Spanish colonial buildings that add a distinct charm to the city. Travelers enjoy exploring the city’s streets on foot to appreciate the delicate architecture that is present. Antigua is such a culturally significant place that plays a big role in Semana Santa, which is Holy Week in Guatemala. Antigua is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so history buffs and cultural connoisseurs will appreciate the city’s landmarks.
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Travel Tip: Travelers should explore Antigua on foot so they can see the sprawling volcanoes in the background of the beautiful Spanish architecture. The city has all kinds of shops, restaurants, and a picturesque fountain, so travelers can make Antigua a day adventure of their own.
Wildlife
To see the thriving wildlife of Guatemala, travelers can take nature tours, visit the zoo, or just observe the wildlife that surrounds them as they explore the country. The wildlife of Guatemala is quite diverse, so some travelers may prefer to take a guided tour to learn about them thoroughly. Bird watchers, in particular, will be able to appreciate the dry season of Guatemala since there are many species of birds to observe. There are many other animals that travelers may interact with or encounter during their trip to Guatemala. Some of the most common animals that travelers may see are howler monkeys, lizards, armadillos, and iguanas. The seasonally active wildlife makes the dry season the best time to visit Guatemala.
Photo credit: Nathan Cima/Unsplash
Travel Tip: The Petén Region is like a wildlife paradise, so travelers adamant about experiencing wildlife sightings should check out what the region offers.
Landmarks
There are many important landmarks in Guatemala for travelers to explore while the weather is pleasant. During the dry season, many travelers opt to sightsee historical gems throughout the country. One landmark that travelers enjoy exploring is The Santa Catalina Arch. This enchanting landmark is located in the heart of Antigua and signifies the city’s rich colonial past. Semuc Champey is another landmark travelers will realize is best enjoyed during the dry season since it is an outdoor experience. It is located in the dense jungle of northern Guatemala and is a space where travelers can swim, sunbathe, and hang out.
Photo credit: Conor Murphy/Unsplash
Travel Tip: If travelers visit Guatemala during the dry season, they should avoid visiting Semuc Champey during the weekend. The weekend is not the best time to visit since there may be unavoidable crowds.
Guatemala is an exciting and culturally rich destination that travelers will enjoy exploring with every sense. To enjoy an optimal travel experience, visitors should go to Guatemala during the dry season. The dry season is the best time to visit Guatemala for many reasons, but primarily because the weather is enjoyable, travelers can immerse themselves in the local culture and participate in many exciting seasonal events.
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