Things to Do in Guatemala in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Guatemala
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- March sits right in the sweet spot of Guatemala's dry season - you'll get reliably clear skies for Tikal sunrise, volcano hikes, and Lake Atitlán boat trips. Rain is basically nonexistent, maybe 2 days the entire month with brief afternoon sprinkles.
- Semana Santa (Holy Week) preparations create incredible atmosphere without the chaos - you'll see alfombras (sawdust carpets) being practiced in Antigua, procession rehearsals, and local markets stocking up. The actual Easter crowds don't hit until early April, so March gives you the cultural buildup without fighting through 200,000 pilgrims.
- Visibility at highland sites like Acatenango and Atitlán is exceptional - the dry season means you'll actually see the volcanoes instead of staring at clouds. On clear March mornings from Acatenango summit at 3,976 m (13,045 ft), you can watch Fuego erupting while the sun rises over Agua and Pacaya.
- Temperature splits are perfect for varied activities - warm enough for swimming in Semuc Champey's pools by midday at 24°C (75°F), but cool enough at 5am for comfortable hiking before the sun gets brutal. Highland towns like Xela drop to 8°C (46°F) at night, which locals consider freezing but makes for great sleeping weather.
Considerations
- UV index hits 11-12 in the highlands with thin atmosphere at 2,300 m (7,546 ft) elevation - you will burn faster than you think possible, even on overcast days. Gringos consistently underestimate this and end up lobster-red after 30 minutes at Tikal midday.
- Dry season dust is relentless on unpaved roads around Atitlán and Petén - chicken buses kick up clouds that coat everything. If you're sensitive to particulates or have asthma, bring a buff or mask for transport days. Your sinuses will feel it by day three.
- March is technically shoulder season transitioning toward Semana Santa pricing - accommodations in Antigua and Flores start creeping up 20-30% by mid-month as Easter approaches. Book before March 10th or you'll pay near-peak rates for the last two weeks.
Best Activities in March
Acatenango Volcano Overnight Camping
March offers the clearest conditions all year for this 3,976 m (13,045 ft) summit trek. You'll have 85-90% chance of unobstructed views of Fuego's eruptions from your tent at 3,700 m (12,139 ft) - something that drops to maybe 40% during rainy months. The dry trails mean less mud wrestling on the steep sections, and cool night temperatures around 0°C (32°F) at summit make the sleeping bags actually necessary rather than suffocating. Start at 6am to avoid the UV intensity - even with cloud cover, you're getting hammered at this elevation.
Tikal Sunrise Temple Climbs
The dry season means you can actually climb Temple IV at 65 m (213 ft) without slippery wooden stairs - crucial since there are no railings and it's genuinely steep. March mornings in Petén are cool enough at 18°C (64°F) that the 4:30am wake-up call doesn't feel brutal, and you'll beat the midday heat that makes the site miserable by 11am. Howler monkeys are most vocal at dawn, and the canopy visibility is excellent for spotting toucans and spider monkeys. The site opens at 6am but staying overnight in Flores or at jungle lodges 15-20 km (9-12 miles) away lets you arrive right at opening.
Lake Atitlán Village-Hopping by Boat
March winds on Atitlán are typically calm in mornings before the xocomil (afternoon wind) picks up around 1-2pm, making boat crossings between villages smooth and safe. The lake sits at 1,562 m (5,125 ft) with volcanoes rising to 3,158 m (10,361 ft) - you'll get crystal-clear volcano views most mornings that disappear by afternoon. Water temperature hovers around 20°C (68°F), comfortable for swimming off San Marcos or Santa Cruz docks. Visit Santiago Atitlán for Maximón worship, San Juan La Laguna for textile cooperatives, and San Pedro for the backpacker scene and cheap food.
Semuc Champey Natural Pools Swimming
The turquoise limestone pools are fed by the Cahabón River, and March's dry season means water levels are perfect - high enough for swimming but not the raging torrents of rainy season that close the site. Water temperature stays around 22-24°C (72-75°F) year-round, but March's warm air at 28°C (82°F) makes getting in and out comfortable. The 45-minute uphill hike to the mirador viewpoint is brutal in midday heat, so arrive early around 8am. The site is remote - 10 km (6.2 miles) from Lanquín on rough roads that take 45 minutes by pickup truck.
Antigua Colonial Architecture Walking Tours
March's dry weather means you can spend full days exploring Antigua's ruins and churches without rain interruptions. The city sits at 1,545 m (5,069 ft), so March days hit 24°C (75°F) but feel hotter in direct sun with that UV index of 11. Mornings before 10am are ideal for walking the grid streets, visiting ruins like San Francisco, and climbing Cerro de la Cruz for city views with Agua volcano backdrop. Late afternoons around 4-5pm offer golden light for photography and cooler temperatures. Semana Santa preparations in March mean you'll see alfombra-making practice runs and procession rehearsals without the actual Easter chaos.
Pacaya Volcano Lava Flow Hikes
Pacaya at 2,552 m (8,373 ft) is Guatemala's most accessible active volcano - 2 hours from Guatemala City and a relatively easy 90-minute hike to active lava flows. March's dry season means the trail is manageable without mud, and clear skies give you actual views instead of hiking through clouds. The volcano erupts intermittently, so lava visibility varies day to day, but you'll typically get close enough to roast marshmallows on hot rocks. Afternoon hikes around 2-3pm let you see lava glow as sun sets, though it's hotter hiking in afternoon heat.
March Events & Festivals
Semana Santa Preparation Season
While the actual Holy Week processions happen in early April, March is when Antigua comes alive with preparations. You'll see neighborhoods practicing their alfombra designs - intricate sawdust and flower carpets that take 12-15 hours to create. Cofradías (religious brotherhoods) hold rehearsal processions with the massive andas (floats) that require 80-100 men to carry. Markets stock up on purple fabric, incense, and palm fronds. It's fascinating to watch the logistics and artistry without the overwhelming crowds of actual Semana Santa when 200,000+ people pack the city.
Equinox at Tikal and Maya Sites
March 20th marks the spring equinox, significant in Maya cosmology. While Tikal doesn't have the dramatic shadow effects of Chichen Itza, local Maya communities hold ceremonies at temples and some tour operators offer special equinox sunrise tours. The astronomical alignment matters more to cultural understanding than visual spectacle, but it adds context if you're visiting Tikal or other Petén sites around this date. Expect small ceremonial gatherings with copal incense and traditional prayers, though these are often private community events.