Central America & Caribbean

Guatemala in December

Crisp, sunny weather and festive traditions, including the Quema del Diablo on December 7. Christmas week is busy with Guatemalan families.

BestDry and clear, highs near 72F (22C), cold nights

Volcan de Agua above Antigua, Guatemala — GuatemalaPhoto: Hermann Luyken, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Guatemala. Crisp, sunny weather and festive traditions, including the Quema del Diablo on December 7. Christmas week is busy with Guatemalan families.

Weather: Dry and clear, highs near 72F (22C), cold nights
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What December is like in Guatemala

December is dry and clear, with highs near 72F (22C), and cold nights. The Quema del Diablo on December 7 brings bonfires to the streets. Christmas week is busy with Guatemalan families.

This month suits families and couples who want festive traditions. Book early for Christmas. Days are crisp and sunny, so it is a great month for Acatenango and lake villages. Nights are cold, so bring a warm jacket. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day close many shops and restaurants, so plan those days around a hotel meal or a quiet walk.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Guatemala this month.

Quema del Diablo

Bonfires and devil effigies burn in the streets at 6pm on December 7.

Crisp, sunny days

Perfect weather for hiking and exploring.

Festive season

The weeks before Christmas are lively.

What to pack for December

A warm jacket
Layers
Sunscreen
Hiking boots

Our timing tip

Book Antigua and Lake Atitlan hotels early for Christmas week.

Book Guatemala for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Guatemala
Opens a hotel search for Guatemala in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Guatemala
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Guatemala
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Guatemala for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Quema del Diablo

December 7 every year

The Burning of the Devil: bonfires and devil effigies burned in the streets at 6pm to cleanse the home before the Immaculate Conception feast.

Things to do in Guatemala

Full guide

Antigua Guatemala

Walk the ruins of La Merced, San Francisco, and the cathedral, then climb Cerro de la Cruz for the classic view of Volcan de Agua.

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Lake Atitlan

Hop between lake villages by public boat in the morning, when the water is calm; the afternoon wind, called the Xocomil, makes crossings rough.

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Tikal National Park

Stay overnight nearby to enter early for sunrise and the cooler hours. Temple IV's top gives the famous view over the canopy.

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Acatenango volcano overnight

A tough hike to a camp facing Fuego. Dry season from November through April gives the best odds of clear views.

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Chichicastenango market

Held on Thursdays and Sundays, with textiles, masks, and a Maya-Catholic church on the steps of Santo Tomas. Go early.

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Semuc Champey

Turquoise limestone pools in the Alta Verapaz jungle. The road is long and rough, and the pools can turn murky after heavy rain.

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Beat the crowds

Visit Antigua during a Lenten weekend in February or early March instead of Semana Santa itself: you see real processions with far fewer people.
At Tikal, stay at a lodge inside or near the park so you can enter at opening and leave before the midday tour buses from Flores.
Cross Lake Atitlan and hike in the mornings; the afternoon wind and clouds reduce visibility and comfort.
November and early December are the best combination of dry weather, green landscapes, and moderate crowds.

Know before you go

During Semana Santa, many businesses close for Thursday and Friday, and road closures in Antigua make getting around slow.
Rainy season landslides, especially in September and October, can close mountain roads to Semuc Champey and the western highlands.
Acatenango and Fuego volcano hikes can be suspended during periods of high volcanic activity; check with licensed guides.
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day close many shops and restaurants, while the preceding weeks are festive and busy.