We just took a family vacation from Costa Rica to Guatemala and having lived in Costa Rica for 20+ years running an adventure outfitter we know that you can be “governed by the weather” when it comes to picking what time of month you decide to travel. Our main focus was family vacation but also work. We are opening any office in Guatemala and been developing a team locally their to try and replicate what we have done here in Costa Rica.
In order to not get off topic my goal is to talk a little bit about traveling to tropical paradises like Guatemala during the rainy season or as we like to call it in the tourism industry the “green season”.
Did the Rain Affect any Activities?
Absolutely not. I say that with confidence and its not to say that you wont be affected but we arranged our tours expecting an afternoon rain. For example instead of doing the sunset hike at Acatenango Volcano we did the sunrise hike and the same goes for Pacayas Volcano.
We found ourselves waking up very early on two mornings around 3am which is to our family a fun part of the adventure seeing the streets of Antigua empty, hiking in the dark, and actually using headlamps to trek your next volcano. If it was the dry season which we have also done we probably would opt for the sunset hike just to mix things up and they are both as epic as the next.
How did our packing ist change?
Well it did rain in the afternoons and being in the tropics its more of a this feels good and cools you off rain. We did 50% of our Tikal tour in the rain and we loved it. Our guide was so good he actually transcended us mentally back into the Mayan times helping us understand the benefits of water and how it was a blessing and not seen as a curse for my girls instagram post. The rain usually last only 30 minutes to an hour and if you want a dry spot their are huts around the park of Tikal. For other areas of adventuring in Guatemala we suggest legit raingear just like if you were visiting any tropical country during the rainy season.
The rain depends on where you go
Different parts of the country get different amounts of rainfall just like in Costa Rica. October and November are some of the rainiest months in Costa Rica but happen to be the sunniest summer months on a small beautiful pocket of the southern Caribbean. So make sure you do your research on which areas will get more rain and which will get less. Dont let it be a deal breaker if its something you really want to see but just be prepared.
Visiting Lake Atitlan in August
Having visited this lake more times than I can remember the clearest mornings always seem to grace the sky and the volcanos in the rainy season. In the afternoon you can expect some down pours and even some lighting storms which make for a nice view from hopefully a dry area but the boats that cross the lake are all equipped to get you from one village to the next. During the dry season you can plan on visiting three or four villages around the lake in a day and during the rainy season the only thing that changes is you will probably be visiting two at max before the afternoon rains come in.
Prices & Crowds
This is another benefit to a few drops of water on your rainjacket or your umbrella. The prices are considered the low season and hotels and tours are willing to give low season prices. As tourism grows in Guatemala I think you will find bigger margins and this will play a bigger role but for now a little savings never hurts. Also, walking through markets and being the only tourist for a few hours is pretty impressive and takes you into a world you didnt know exist. Then walking out into the rain and allowing yourself to get wet reminds you what life is like in a major part of the world that we take for granted.
In Conclusion
Don’t be turned off by the rainy season in Guatemala. There is something mystical about being in your tent, hotel, Airbnb or where ever you might be staying that allows you to experience the rainforest in its true essence only in the rainy season. If you happen to get rained out of an activity just remember you are a tourist visiting another country that arrived on a jet plane. You are dealing with first world problems and should embrace it and not complain about it.
