Things to Do in Guatemala in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Guatemala
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season means clear skies for volcano hikes and sunrise photography - you'll get those classic Acatenango summit shots without clouds blocking the view of Fuego's eruptions, which happen roughly every 15-20 minutes
- Comfortable hiking temperatures during the day (18-22°C or 64-72°F) without the oppressive heat of April-May, making multi-hour treks to Pacaya or Indian Nose actually enjoyable rather than brutal
- Semana Santa crowds haven't arrived yet - Antigua's streets are walkable, Lake Atitlán accommodations are available without 3-month advance booking, and Tikal tours run at half capacity compared to March-April madness
- January harvest season means fresh coffee tours show the actual picking and processing at fincas around Antigua and Huehuetenango, not just empty plants and explanatory videos you'd get in other months
Considerations
- Overnight temperatures in the highlands drop to 8-12°C (46-54°F), which catches most travelers off guard - those cheap hostels in Antigua and San Pedro without heating become genuinely uncomfortable, and volcano summit camps hit near-freezing
- Peak season pricing runs through mid-January as North American and European winter holidays overlap - expect to pay 30-40% more for accommodations in Antigua, Flores, and Atitlán compared to September rates, with minimum 3-night stays common
- North winds (locally called 'el norte') can make Lake Atitlán choppy 2-3 days per week, occasionally canceling morning boat shuttles between villages and making kayaking less pleasant than guidebooks suggest
Best Activities in January
Acatenango Volcano Overnight Camping
January offers the best statistical chance of clear summit views all year - roughly 75% of overnight trips get unobstructed views of Fuego's eruptions compared to 40% in June-September. The dry season means trails are firm rather than the muddy slogs of rainy months, though you'll still gain 1,500 m (4,920 ft) over 5-6 hours. Night temperatures at the 3,976 m (13,045 ft) summit drop to -5°C to 0°C (23-32°F), which sounds brutal but actually makes the volcano viewing more dramatic as you can see Fuego's glow without humidity haze. The physical challenge is real - probably 40% of people struggle with the altitude and steep grade - but January's dry trails and clear skies make it as manageable as this hike ever gets.
Lake Atitlán Village-Hopping by Boat
January's calm morning waters (before the north winds pick up around 11am-noon) make the 20-30 minute boat rides between villages like San Pedro, Santiago, and San Marcos actually pleasant rather than the choppy, spray-soaked rides you might get in afternoon crossings. The visibility is exceptional - you can see all three volcanoes (Atitlán, Tolimán, and San Pedro) clearly from the water most mornings, which honestly doesn't happen reliably in cloudier months. Each village has distinct character: San Pedro for the backpacker scene and Spanish schools, Santiago for traditional Tz'utujil culture and textile cooperatives, San Marcos for the yoga-and-crystals crowd. The lake sits at 1,562 m (5,125 ft), so despite being tropical latitude, January temperatures stay comfortable for walking around villages - typically 20-24°C (68-75°F) during the day.
Tikal Sunrise Temple Tours
January's dry season means the 4:30am wake-up call actually makes sense - you'll hike through the jungle in comfortable 18-20°C (64-68°F) temperatures rather than the swampy 26°C (79°F) humidity of rainy season mornings. More importantly, January has the clearest skies for that classic sunrise view from Temple IV, watching mist lift off the jungle canopy as howler monkeys start their morning calls. The site opens at 6am for sunrise groups, and being there at first light means you'll see and hear significantly more wildlife - spider monkeys, toucans, and ocellated turkeys are most active in the cool morning hours before the heat and tour groups arrive. The ruins themselves are spread over 16 sq km (6 sq miles), so you'll walk 8-10 km (5-6 miles) over 4-5 hours. January's dry trails and lower humidity make this much more manageable than attempting it in August.
Antigua Coffee Farm Tours with Harvest Experience
January falls right in the middle of Guatemala's coffee harvest (November through March), which means farm tours actually show you the full process rather than just walking past empty drying beds. You'll see pickers working the slopes, learn to identify ripe cherries, and watch the depulping and fermenting process happening in real-time. The best farms are in the hills surrounding Antigua at 1,400-1,800 m (4,600-5,900 ft) elevation where Guatemala's famous beans grow. January weather is perfect for the 1-2 hour walking tours through the plantations - warm enough at 20-22°C (68-72°F) that you're comfortable, but not the scorching heat of April-May. Several farms let you pick a small basket yourself, which sounds touristy but actually gives you appreciation for how labor-intensive the harvest is when you're selecting individual red cherries on steep volcanic slopes.
Semuc Champey Natural Pools and Cave Tubing
January's low rainfall means Semuc Champey's turquoise pools are at their most photogenic - the water is clear rather than the silty brown you might see after heavy rains, and the Cahabón River flow is manageable for the cave tubing portion. The limestone pools sit at 300 m (984 ft) elevation in humid jungle, so expect 26-30°C (79-86°F) temperatures and 80% humidity, which actually feels refreshing when you're swimming. The viewpoint hike is steep - 45 minutes up, 700 steps, gains about 200 m (656 ft) - but January's relatively lower humidity makes it less brutal than attempting it in May-October. Cave tubing through K'an Ba caves involves floating through complete darkness holding a candle, which is either thrilling or terrifying depending on your comfort with tight spaces and bats. The whole experience takes 6-8 hours from Lanquín.
Chichicastenango Market and Highland Villages
The Thursday and Sunday markets in Chichicastenango are genuinely the largest indigenous markets in Central America - not tourist hype - with vendors coming from surrounding Quiché villages to sell textiles, produce, ceramics, and ritual items. January timing is actually ideal because you'll see fresh harvest produce and the cooler highland temperatures (15-20°C or 59-68°F at 2,071 m or 6,795 ft elevation) make walking through the packed market streets more comfortable than the hot months. The market sprawls across multiple blocks and inside Santo Tomás Church where you'll see K'iche' Maya ceremonies mixing Catholic and traditional practices - copal incense, flower offerings, candle rituals. This is one of the few places you'll see traditional cofradía leaders in full ceremonial dress on market days. The textile quality and prices are genuinely better than Antigua's tourist shops, though bargaining is expected and can feel intense if you're not used to it.
January Events & Festivals
Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil)
While the main celebration happens December 7th, many highland villages continue smaller devil-burning traditions through early January as part of extended Christmas festivities. You'll see bonfires in front of homes where families burn old items and effigies to cleanse negative energy before the new year. This is more authentic in smaller villages around Lake Atitlán and Chichicastenango than in tourist-heavy Antigua where the December event is the main focus.
Esquipulas Pilgrimage Extension
The massive pilgrimage to the Black Christ of Esquipulas peaks on January 15th, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across Central America to this eastern Guatemala town near the Honduras border. Pilgrims walk for days from surrounding regions, and the town becomes a sea of people, candles, and devotional offerings. This is one of the most significant religious events in Central America, though it requires significant planning to attend - accommodations book months ahead and the scene is intensely crowded and chaotic.