Antigua Guatemala Weather: Your Year-Round Climate Guide

Antigua Guatemala is famously known as the “Land of Eternal Spring,” a title earned by its temperate highland tropical climate. Situated at approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) above sea level and cradled by three towering volcanoes—Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango—the city avoids the sweltering tropical heat of the coast while maintaining a comfortable warmth that feels like a permanent mid-April afternoon.

Typical Weather Patterns

The weather in Antigua is dictated by two distinct seasons rather than four: the dry season (Verano) from November to April and the rainy season (Invierno) from May to October. Despite these names, temperatures remain remarkably consistent year-round. Daytime highs typically hover between 22°C and 25°C (71°F to 77°F), while nighttime lows can dip to 11°C to 15°C (52°F to 59°F).

Daily Rhythms

Climate behavior shifts predictably throughout the day, especially during the rainy season:

• Morning: Generally crisp and sunny, regardless of the season. This is the clearest window for viewing the surrounding volcanoes.
• Afternoon: In the dry season, it is warm and bright. In the rainy season, clouds build up around 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM, leading to a heavy but brief downpour.
• Evening: As the sun sets, the altitude causes temperatures to drop quickly. Nights are refreshing or even chilly, making the city’s many fireplace-adorned cafes and hotels popular gathering spots.

Seasonal Trends

• The Dry Season (November – April): This is characterized by cloudless blue skies and the highest visibility for volcano trekking. November and December are the coolest months, often featuring brisk winds. By March and April, the air warms up, leading into the peak heat for the region.
• The Rainy Season (May – October): The landscape transforms into a vibrant, lush emerald. While September and October are the wettest months, the rain rarely lasts all day; it typically arrives in intense afternoon bursts. The air feels slightly more humid, but the dust of the dry season is washed away, leaving the atmosphere exceptionally clean.

Microclimates and Regional Variations

Antigua's valley location creates significant microclimates based on elevation. While the city center stays mild, a short 15-minute drive upward to residential areas like Santa Maria de Jesús or lookout points like Cerro de la Cruz can bring a noticeable drop in temperature. If you venture further onto the slopes of the volcanoes, you leave the "eternal spring" for sub-alpine conditions where frost can occur overnight.

Historical Context and Local Experience

Antigua has a history shaped by its environment—most notably the volcanic activity of Volcán de Fuego, which is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Local life is attuned to the Fuego’s regular “puffs” of ash, which can occasionally coat the cobblestones. Locals (Antigüeños) adapt to the rainy season with a lifestyle of "early starts," finishing errands and outdoor work by mid-afternoon to enjoy the rain from under the shelter of colonial corridors.

Unique Weather Phenomena

• The Canícula: Often occurring in July or August, this is a "mini-dry season" within the rainy season. For a week or two, the rains stop, and the sun returns, providing a brief summer-like break.
• Volcanic Ash Clouds: While not weather in the traditional sense, the proximity to Volcán de Fuego means that wind patterns occasionally carry fine ash over the city, creating spectacular sunset colors but also a dry, gritty feel to the air.
• High UV Index: Due to the altitude and proximity to the equator, the sun “bites” more than the temperature suggests. Even on cool, breezy days, the solar radiation is very high.

What the Weather "Feels Like"

Beyond the thermometer, Antigua’s weather feels crisp and thin. Because the humidity is generally low (even in the rainy season compared to coastal regions), the heat never feels oppressive. The air carries the scent of woodsmoke and damp stone, and the transition from sun to shade creates an immediate, palpable temperature shift. It is a climate of contrasts: the warmth of the equatorial sun balanced by the cool breath of the high mountains.