Best time to visit Guatemala and Belize
A weather and climate guide
When planning a trip to Central America, it’s important to consider the weather conditions, especially if you are planning on hiking through the jungle, exploring ancient ruins or snorkelling over coral reefs. Luckily, both Guatemala and Belize enjoy warm temperatures all year round, with plenty of sunshine and minimal rain, meaning there’s no bad time to go, just different experiences depending on the season.
The weather in Guatemala varies a lot depending on the altitude. You could be sipping hot chocolate by a volcano in Lake Atitlan one day and bathing in the pools of Semuc Champey the next day. Belize is more of a tropical destination, with its Caribbean coastline and island cayes, you can enjoy beach weather most of the year. Both countries have two main seasons: dry(November-April) and wet (May to October).
The dry season
The best time to travel to Guatemala and Belize if you want sunshine, clear skies, and easier travel conditions is during the dry season(November-April).
Guatemala
The dry season is ideal for visiting highland towns like Antigua, Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes. Days are warm, sunny and perfect for walking around Mayan ruins in Tikal, but the nights can be cool, especially in the mountains, so pack a jumper just in case. Another perk of the dry season is that roads are generally much easier to drive, making travel between areas much smoother.
Belize
This is the ideal time for a beach stay in Belize, when the Caribbean coast really comes into its own. With calm, clear waters perfect for snorkelling in the Belize Barrier Reef and sailing to remote islands for beach camping. The jungle of San Ignacio is best explored at this time, as the dry weather makes it much easier to explore.
Wet season
The rainy season, also known as the ‘green season’, is between May to October; however, the rain falls in showers, and you’re unlikely to experience heavy rain all day, making it a great time to travel for many people. Mornings are generally bright and sunny, meaning you’ll have the mornings to explore before the rain showers roll in in the afternoon.
Guatemala
In the highlands (Antigua, Lake Atitlan) the rain is usually lighter and more predictable, and it’s definitely possible to still go on hikes and enjoy exploring different areas. In the lower regions like Tikal and Rio Dulce, it’s much quieter and greener, but the trails can be muddy, so make sure you bring a sense of adventure, and you’re bound to enjoy every second.
Belize
Rain falls more heavily in the south and inland areas, but beach stays like Caye Caulker and the coast still get plenty of dry spells. It’s a great time for wildlife spotting, as the jungle becomes dense and vibrant, and the animals are more active. As the river levels rise, the waterfalls are even more impressive, and some experiences may have to be adjusted, but caving and tubing adventures are definitely much more exciting.
Shoulder season
The transitional months of May and November can be a sweet spot, with less rain than the wet season, and fewer travellers than in the dry season.
May tends to start dry, with showers increasing towards the end of the month. The natural landscapes are becoming green again, after the dry season, and most activities go ahead as normal, with little to no disruption.
November often starts off quite wet, but dry weather is on the horizon and in the second half of the month, there is a real change into drier conditions. This is a great time to visit Guatemala and Belize if you want to see the vibrant, green landscapes, but without the crowds that come in December.
