Things to Do in Guatemala in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Guatemala
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season means you can actually count on clear skies - February typically sees only 2-3 rainy days total, making it the most reliable month for multi-day hikes like the Acatenango volcano trek where weather can make or break the experience
- Semana Santa hasn't hit yet, so accommodation prices in Antigua and Lake Atitlán are 30-40% lower than March-April while weather is essentially identical - you're getting high season conditions at shoulder season prices
- Almond trees bloom across the highlands in February, turning towns like Antigua into canopies of pink and white flowers - locals call it 'verano del almendro' and it's genuinely one of the most photogenic times of year
- Visibility at Tikal and other Petén sites is exceptional because the dry season has reduced humidity but hasn't yet created the haze that builds up by March-April - you'll get those dramatic long-distance jungle views
Considerations
- Highland nights drop to 8-12°C (46-54°F) and most budget accommodations don't have heating - you'll genuinely need layers for evenings in Antigua, Quetzaltenango, and around Lake Atitlán, which catches first-timers off guard
- It's peak North American winter break season through mid-February, so popular spots like Antigua's Central Park and Atitlán's San Marcos are noticeably busier, and you'll need to book shuttle buses and popular restaurants a day ahead
- The dry season means dust - unpaved roads in places like San Juan La Laguna kick up fine volcanic dust that gets everywhere, and air quality in Guatemala City can be poor on windless days
Best Activities in February
Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hikes
February offers the clearest conditions of the year for this 3,976 m (13,045 ft) volcano trek where you camp overnight watching Fuego erupt across the valley. The dry season means the trail isn't muddy, summit temperatures are cold but manageable at around -5°C to 0°C (23-32°F), and you've got maybe an 85% chance of clear views versus 50% in rainy months. The hike takes 5-6 hours up, and you'll want to start early afternoon to reach camp before sunset. Most people do this as their Guatemala highlight, and February weather actually cooperates.
Lake Atitlán Village-Hopping
The lake sits at 1,562 m (5,125 ft) and February brings those brilliant blue-sky days where the three volcanoes reflect perfectly in the water. The lanchas (water taxis) run smoothly because there's minimal afternoon wind compared to March-April when the Xocomil wind picks up. You can comfortably explore villages like Santiago Atitlán, San Juan La Laguna's textile cooperatives, and San Marcos' yoga scene without rain interrupting plans. Mornings are cool at 12-15°C (54-59°F) but afternoons hit 24°C (75°F) - perfect for lakeside wandering.
Tikal Sunrise Temple Climbs
February is genuinely the best month for Tikal - the Petén jungle is dry enough that you're not slogging through mud, but it hasn't reached the intense March-May heat where you're drenched by 9am. Sunrise from Temple IV at 65 m (213 ft) above the jungle canopy means you'll hear howler monkeys wake up the forest, and visibility extends for kilometers. The site opens at 6am for sunrise tours, and you want to be at Temple IV by 5:45am. Temperatures start at 18°C (64°F) and climb to 32°C (90°F) by midday, so plan your visit for early morning.
Antigua Colonial Walking and Market Days
February weather makes Antigua perfect for full days of walking - it's warm enough at 22-24°C (72-75°F) that you're comfortable in a t-shirt, but not the scorching heat of April-May. The almond trees bloom pink and white over the colonial streets, and you can walk the 45-minute route up Cerro de la Cruz for city views without getting caught in rain. Thursday and Saturday are market days when indigenous vendors from surrounding villages fill the streets near the bus terminal. The city has 30+ visible churches and ruins within a 1.5 km (0.9 mile) radius of the central park.
Semuc Champey Natural Pools
This limestone bridge with turquoise pools sits in Alta Verapaz cloudforest, and February is one of the few months where water levels are low enough that the pools are swimmable but still full enough to be beautiful. The access road is passable in February - during rainy season it becomes a mudslide. The hike to the viewpoint is steep, about 45 minutes up through jungle at 380 m (1,247 ft) elevation gain, but February temperatures of 26-28°C (79-82°F) make it manageable. Most people combine this with Kan'ba caves where you wade through underground rivers by candlelight.
Chichicastenango Thursday and Sunday Markets
This twice-weekly market in the highlands is the real deal - not a tourist market but an actual trading center where indigenous K'iche' Maya from surrounding villages buy and sell everything from vegetables to machetes. It happens every Thursday and Sunday starting at dawn, and February's dry weather means you can navigate the crowded streets without mud. The market sprawls across multiple blocks surrounding Santo Tomás church where you'll see traditional Maya ceremonies happening on the steps. Arrive by 8am before tour buses, and the whole experience takes 3-4 hours.
February Events & Festivals
Burning of the Devil (Quema del Diablo)
While the main celebration happens December 7th, some highland villages continue smaller burns through early February as part of extended Christmas season traditions. You might catch these in rural areas around Lake Atitlán, though it's not guaranteed - locals burn trash and old items in street bonfires to symbolically cleanse their homes. Not a major tourist event but interesting if you happen upon it.