Guatemala in December

Clear and cool; Burning of the Devil (7 Dec) and Christmas crowds in Antigua.

• Highlands · Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Quetzaltenango, Chichicastenangobest weather

  Spring-like days (22–26 °C) and cold nights, near freezing on Acatenango's summit. Rains most afternoons May–Oct with a drier spell (canícula) in July–August.

• Petén lowlands · Flores, Tikal, Yaxhábest weather

  Hot and humid all year; April–May reach 35 °C+; the rains turn tracks to mud.

• Caribbean and Verapaz · Río Dulce, Livingston, Semuc Champeyfine

  Wet much of the year; Semuc's pools turn brown after heavy rain.

• Pacific coast · Monterrico, El Paredónbest weather

  Hot black-sand beaches; turtle nesting Jul–Dec.

• Antigua Guatemala23° / 10°, 2 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Burning of the Devil

  7 Dec

  Bonfires and effigies at 18:00.

• Christmas and New Year

  24–25, 31 Dec

  Midnight fireworks; half days on 24 and 31 Dec.

• La Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil)

  7 December · Antigua Guatemala

  Households burn effigies and rubbish in the street at dusk to mark the start of Christmas season — smoky and loud for an evening.

Crowds · Guatemala

High

Prices · Guatemala

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Highlands

  Best weather of the year (Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Quetzaltenango, Chichicastenango)

• Petén lowlands

  Best weather of the year (Flores, Tikal, Yaxhá)

• Pacific coast

  Best weather of the year (Monterrico, El Paredón)

• Antigua Guatemala

  Dry; Christmas crowds and fireworks.