Things to Do in Guatemala in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
February Weather in Guatemala
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
78°F (25°C)
High Temp
56°F (13°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is February Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + February lands smack in Guatemala's dry spell, those 25 mm (1 inch) of rain come as sudden, theatrical downpours that rinse the sky and rarely wreck your day. Mornings start sharp at 15°C (59°F), good for volcano treks, before the sun climbs to 28°C (82°F) by midday.
- + Across the highlands around Antigua and Cobán, the coffee harvest is in overdrive. The air carries the scent of toasted caramel drifting from the mills, and estates like Filadelfia throw open their drying patios so you can stroll between 50-meter (165-foot) aisles of beans turning gold in the sun.
- + Lake Atitlán's water is at its most limpid, no algae, no murky runoff. Tolimán, Atitlán, and San Pedro stand mirrored in the dawn, and Tz'utujil boatmen will ferry you to Santiago Atitlán for weaving classes long before the March hordes arrive.
- + By mid-February, Antigua is already rehearsing Semana Santa. Carpenters stack lumber for the giant alfombras frames, the scent of fresh-cut pine mixing with copal smoke as barrios run practice processions. These aren't staged for visitors, they're working rehearsals that let you slip inside the ritual before Easter madness.
Considerations
- − February means peak-season prices everywhere in Guatemala. Hotels in Antigua and around Lake Atitlán that sit half-empty in May are sold out, and operators hike their rates for Tikal sunrise runs and volcano climbs without apology.
- − At high altitude the UV index spikes to 8, fast-track sunburn territory. At 2,400 m (7,875 ft) in Quetzaltenango or on the Acatenango trail you'll scorch through cloud cover in twenty minutes. The elevation magnifies everything: the glare, the dehydration, and the morning-after punch of those 2-for-1 mojitos in Antigua.
- − By 9 AM on Thursday, Chichicastenango's market is wall-to-wall with tour groups. The 2.5-hour haul from Antigua turns into a convoy of minibuses, and the narrow lanes that feel enchanted in October become a slow-motion scrum of selfie sticks and identical textiles stall after stall.
Best Activities in February
Top things to do during your visit
Guatemala in February sits between seasons. The air is dry and clear. Highland mornings start crisp and cold. But that chill burns off by noon. Skies over Antigua's volcanoes are often a piercing blue. This color sharply contrasts with the city's terracotta tiles and pastel walls. You are visiting at the tail end of the dry period. Dust hangs over unpaved roads. The scent of baking pine needles mixes with evening charcoal smoke. It is a time for preparation and celebration. The agricultural calendar leans toward planting. Catholic feast days weave ancient rhythms into modern life. The month opens with Día de la Candelaria. This festival blends candlelight processions with blessings for seeds. You can see it in towns like San Andrés Xecul. There, the church's painted facade becomes a backdrop for marimba music. Then, as February ends, energy shifts toward Carnaval. In places like Cobán, streets fill with dancers in feathered masks. These masks represent forest spirits. Their footfalls follow a beat that predates the Spanish arrival. Visiting this month means encountering these living layers. The weather is typically agreeable for exploration. Days are warm. Nights are cool, so pack a light sweater. A trip here involves movement between city, highlands, and jungle. February's conditions make these journeys more comfortable. There is less mud on trails. Vistas across Lake Atitlán are reliably clear. It is a popular month. Plan ahead. The following experiences show what defines travel here, framed by this season's particular light.
Glimpse Of Guatemala - Tour Only
guided_experienceThis guided tour moves from the busy capital to the serene highlands. You will feel the cool, thin air of the Altiplano. You will see the kaleidoscopic colors of a Chichicastenango market blanket. You will hear the distinct sound of a weaver's loom in a village home. The pace allows for moments beyond the checklist.
It condenses the nation's big geographic and cultural shifts into one easy narrative journey.
Insider tip: Request a seat on the right side when leaving Guatemala City. You will get the best, unobstructed views of the descending valleys.
Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City
walking_tourThis walking tour explores the open-air gallery of Zone 4's 4 Grados Norte district. The hum of traffic fades beneath stories told in spray paint. You will see towering murals. They depict Maya cosmovision and social commentary. You will hear the guide explain the artists' coded symbolism. You will feel the creative pulse of the city's younger generations.
It shows the modern, defiant heart of the capital through its most busy and transgressive art.
Insider tip: Visit on a weekday afternoon. You will have the walls more to yourself. Weekend evenings bring loud crowds to the bars and cafes.
Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel
transportThis private transfer swaps the noise of Guatemala City's Aurora Airport for the winding road to Lake Atitlán. The scent of diesel gives way to eucalyptus and woodsmoke. The road curls around mountain passes. It offers sudden, impressive glimpses of the lake far below. The water reflects the February sun.
It turns a necessary commute into a scenic, stress-free introduction to the highlands.
Insider tip: Confirm your driver will take the older, scenic route via Patzicia for panoramic views. The newer highway is faster but tunnels through mountains.
Day Trip Tikal adventure from Guatemala City
day_tripThis day trip is a leap from the cool highlands to the humid Petén jungle. You will hear the morning chorus of howler monkeys and parrots at the Great Plaza. You will feel the scale of Temple IV as you climb its wooden stairs. You will see the mist burn off to reveal ancient limestone pyramids.
It delivers one of the hemisphere's most impressive archaeological sites in one ambitious day.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with grip. The stone steps of the ruins can be slick with morning dew, even in the dry season.
Hobbitenango, Altamira and Antigua Borial parks.
otherThis excursion trades Antigua's streets for the misty hills above it. You will feel a cool breeze through the wooden structures of Hobbitenango. You will smell pine resin from the forest. You will taste fresh, tangy cheese from a local dairy. You will gaze across a sweeping volcanic valley.
It has a playful, family-friendly counterpoint to Antigua's history, with unmatched highland views.
Insider tip: Go on a clear weekday. You will avoid crowds and see the view, which is the main attraction.
Lake Atitlan Private Tour
private_tourA private tour of Lake Atitlán lets you set your own rhythm. You will visit lakeside villages. The air carries incense from Maximón chapels. You will hear Tz'utujil language in the market. You will feel the boat's spray. You will see women washing bright textiles at stone pilas. You will taste locally grown coffee in a family courtyard.
It allows for an intimate, flexible look at the lake's distinct indigenous cultures and impressive natural theater.
Insider tip: Ask your guide to include a stop in San Juan La Laguna. Visit the women's textile cooperatives to see natural dyes being prepared.
This month: Clear February skies often provide the most dramatic views of the lake's surrounding volcanoes.
Where to Stay in Guatemala in February
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for February travellers.
February Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
February 2nd
Día de la Candelaria
February 2nd turns Guatemala's churches into candlelit stages. In Antigua, indigenous women in hand-woven huipiles march candle processions from La Merced to the cathedral, while San Andrés Xecul erupts with marimba and fireworks. Blessing candles and seeds links Maya planting cycles to Catholic feast days in plain sight.
Late February (week before Ash Wednesday)
Carnaval Celebrations
The week before Lent turns Cobán and Mazatenango into open-air theaters of feathered masks and drumbeats. Forget Rio's sequins, here, dancers stamp the cobbles as deer and jaguars, steps older than the conquistadors' arrival. Mazatenango adds bull runs that charge straight through the main plaza, while food stalls fire up chuchitos, wrapped tamales, that materialize only during carnival, then vanish with the ashes.
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View Guatemala Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Book Antigua beds straight through hotel websites, most quietly knock 15-20% off rack rates that booking platforms never reveal. Family-run spots like Casa Santo Domingo have kept this open secret for years.
The serious coffee scene hides inside La Esperanza warehouse in Antigua, not on postcard farms. Tuesday and Friday auctions let you taste 40+ varieties with local roasters and buy beans at wholesale prices tourist shops never see.
Dodge Chichicastenango's Sunday scrum, arrive Thursday instead. Same stalls, half the crowd, and the 6 AM chicken bus from Antigua still costs the same but comes with seats instead of sardine-style standing.
Street food is safer than tourist restaurants in February. Dry-season air slows bacterial growth, and the pupusa stall on 5ta Avenida in Antigua has fed locals for 30 years without a single upset stomach.
Avoid These Mistakes
Book Tikal sunrise tours from Flores, not Antigua, leaving at 4 AM from the colonial city means six hours in a van. Sleep near the ruins and you'll halve the travel time plus hear howler monkeys after dark.
Skip the airport money exchange, the rate stings. Antigua bank ATMs beat every booth, and you'll need cash for the chicken bus regardless.
Never wear sandals on volcano hikes, volcanic ash at Pacaya and Acatenango floods shoes and files skin raw. Proper boots turn a slog into a story worth retelling.
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