When to go · Guatemala
Guatemala in January
Great month. Dry and clear; cold nights in the highlands; best volcano views.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- High
- Guatemala
- Prices
- Medium
- Guatemala
Verdict
Dry and clear; cold nights in the highlands; best volcano views.
Weather in January
- 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 Guatemala24° / 10°, 1 rain days
Festivals and holidays
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.
New Year's Day
1 Jan
Public holiday.
Christmas and New Year
24 Dec – 1 Jan · Antigua Guatemala
Fireworks most nights; some restaurants shorten hours or close.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Guatemala
- High
- Prices · Guatemala
- Medium
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in January
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)
Dry, sunny days, cold nights.