Guatemala may be known as the Land of Eternal Spring, but that doesn’t mean the weather is spring-like everywhere, all year round. Temperatures can vary widely with changes in altitude and the country has two distinct seasons that can have a big effect on the experience of traveling in this colorful corner of Central America.
In Guatemala, the year can be roughly divided into the rainy season and the dry season, but it might be better to think of these as the “muddy” and “dusty” seasons. The high season for tourism coincides with the best weather for outdoor activities, and the rains can have a big effect on how you enjoy the sights and Guatemala’s natural wonders.
This doesn’t mean there’s a bad time to visit, but you might have to adapt your expectations, particularly if you want to climb Guatemala’s volcanoes or go trekking in the rainforest. To help you on your way, here are our tips for the best times to visit Guatemala.
November to March is the best time for festivals and enjoying the outdoors
Guatemala doesn’t have a traditional high season, shoulder season and low season. Instead, there are two high seasons separated by two low seasons. The first high season coincides with Guatemala’s dry season, from November to March, when sunny days are pretty much guaranteed and the weather is perfect for exploring outdoors. This is the peak period for tourism, with the highest prices.
This is the best time of year for trekking, wildlife adventures in Guatemala’s national parks, visits to Mayan sites and trips to Guatemala’s beaches. You’ll have plenty of company if you take a hike up the Acatenango volcano near Antigua or the volcanoes around Lake Atitlán at this time of year.
The dry weather kicks off as the hurricane season draws to a close, just in time for the Day of the Dead celebrations on 1 November and 2 November. The villages of Santiago and Sumpango near Antigua construct enormous kites as part of their celebrations on 1 November.
The busy period typically ends just after Semana Santa – the Holy Week running up to Easter. This is another of Guatemala’s most important festivals, marked by processions and the decoration of streets with floral patterns known as alfombras, made from colored sawdust.
Semana Santa…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Stories – Lonely Planet…