Things to Do in Guatemala in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
November Weather in Guatemala
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
75°F (24°C)
High Temp
58°F (14°C)
Low Temp
1.9 inches (48 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The rain backs off. Afternoon storms shrink to 20-minute bursts, not the four-hour soakers of September. You can hike without gambling on a wash-out. Keep your plans.
- + Highland air turns crystal clear after the wash. Volcán Agua's symmetrical cone floats above Antigua like it's been photoshopped. Sunrise from Indian Nose above Lake Atitlán gives you 50 km (31 mi) visibility straight to Mexico.
- + Shoulder-season prices still rule. Hotels that double in December haven't flipped the switch yet. You'll score colonial-era rooms with volcano views for mid-range tags.
- + Coffee harvest is in full swing. Fincas above Antiguaua fire up antique dryers. The whole valley smells like toasted caramel. Guests pick, pulp, and roast their own batch on day trips.
- + Day of the Dead (Nov 1-2) turns every cemetery into a candle-lit picnic. Families fly giant barriletes (kites) 8 m (26 ft) wide above Santiago Sacatepéquez graves. The spectacle outshines Christmas fireworks.
Considerations
- − Evenings in the highlands drop to 14°C (58°F). Most boutique hotels skip heating. You'll sleep in hoodie, socks, and the extra blanket in the wardrobe.
- − Pacific coast stays sticky. Escuintla and Monterrico hover at 30°C (86°F) with 80 % humidity. Black-sand beaches feel like a griddle after 11 a.m.
- − Mud season lingers. Hiking the Acatenango overnight trail means knee-deep chocolate-colored clay for the first 2 km (1.2 mi). Guides hand out rubber boots for a reason.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
November in Guatemala is cool and damp. Morning mist burns away to reveal a deep blue sky. The air smells of wet earth and woodsmoke. Evenings are chilly. Bring a jacket. This month is a cultural turn. Families prepare for Día de los Santos y los Difuntos. Cemeteries become fields of glowing candles and vivid orange marigolds. Their earthy perfume mixes with copal incense smoke. Life shifts toward reflection and celebration. The distant thump of marimba music drifts from town squares. Events like Huehuetenango's Feria del Maíz y el Café fill the air with the smell of roasting coffee. For travelers, November offers profound tradition. It sits between heavy rains and the peak tourist season.
Glimpse Of Guatemala - Tour Only
guided_experienceThis guided tour is a curated first look. It moves from the colonial facades of Antigua Guatemala to a busy local market. You will hear looms clatter in a weaving cooperative. You will feel the cool, thin air of the highlands.
Visit for a structured, complete introduction. It connects history with living culture.
Insider tip: Wear layers. The journey crosses big changes in altitude and microclimate.
Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City
walking_tourThis walking tour examines the street art of Guatemala City's 4 Grados Norte district. Massive murals show social commentary and mythic figures on old industrial walls. You will see brilliant color against weathered concrete. A guide explains each piece's story.
Join to understand the city's current pulse and creative resilience. Its galleries are accessible.
Insider tip: Visit on a weekday afternoon. The streets are quieter then, allowing clear viewing and photographs.
Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel
transportThis private transfer gives an easy journey from the airport. It travels through dramatic mountain passes to Lake Atitlan. You will feel the vehicle climb pine-forested roads. You will catch glimpses of volcanic peaks before the first impressive lake view appears.
Book it for a stress-free start after your flight. The driver knows the route well.
Insider tip: Request a brief stop at a lookout point. You can take a first panoramic photograph of the lake there.
Day Trip Tikal adventure from Guatemala City
day_tripThis day trip needs an early flight north to the Petén region. It explores the monumental ruins of Tikal. Ancient Maya temples rise above a dense rainforest canopy. You will hear howler monkeys roar in the plaza. You will see morning sunlight filter through mist around the towering Temple of the Great Jaguar.
The draw is the chance to stand in a great archaeological site. Feel the scale of its history.
Insider tip: Bring binoculars. Use them to spot toucans and parrots in the treetops.
Hobbitenango, Altamira and Antigua Borial parks.
otherThis excursion combines the whimsical architecture of Hobbitenango with the zip-lining courses of Altamira and the aerial bridges of Antigua Borial. All are set on forested slopes above Antigua Guatemala. You will feel cool mountain air during a zip-line descent. You will see the green valley of Antigua spread out below.
Visit for a concentrated dose of adventure and novelty. The vistas are consistently impressive.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip. Paths between attractions can be steep and uneven.
Lake Atitlan Private Tour
private_tourA private tour of Lake Atitlan allows tailored exploration. Visit indigenous villages like San Juan La Laguna. It has galleries of natural-dye textiles. Go to Santiago Atitlan where incense scent fills the church. You will hear Tz'utujil Maya spoken in markets. You will feel spray from a boat on the deep blue waters. Three volcanoes frame the view.
Choose this for freedom. Linger in places that capture your interest. Escape fixed group schedules.
Insider tip: Start your boat journey early. The lake's surface is most placid and glassy then.
Where to Stay in Guatemala in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
November Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
November 1-2
Día de los Santos y los Difuntos
Family cemeteries bloom with marigolds, pine needles, and candlelight. Giant kites soar above Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango. Locals believe the wind carries messages to ancestors. Tourists are welcome if they dress modestly and ask before photographing mourners.
Mid-November
Feria del Maíz y el Café
Huehuetenango's main plaza turns into an open-air roastery. Local growers compete for best aroma while marimba bands play under string lights. Expect free cupping sessions and street-food corn dishes you won't find in Antigua.
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View Guatemala Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Book Antigua accommodations on the valley's north side. Your room faces south toward Agua volcano and the afternoon light turns the stone walls amber instead of shadow-gray.
ATMs dispense quetzales in multiples of 100. Break big notes at gas stations. Rural boat captains can't change Q200.
Chicken buses to Chichicastenango leave the terminal before dawn. The 6 a.m. run has seats, the 7 a.m. run has chickens on the roof.
Tikal sound-and-light shows restart in November after the wet season. Nights are finally clear enough to see stars above Temple I.
Avoid These Mistakes
Scheduling Tikal as a day-trip from Guatemala City. Traffic plus park closure at 6 p.m. leaves you two rushed hours. Stay in Flores or inside the park.
Cover your knees at Maximón shrines circling Lake Atitlán. Locals watch for shorts. Ignore the code and your donation doubles. Respect earns smiles. Pack a light sarong.
Uber flatlines outside Guatemala City. Grab DiDi instead. Half of Uber drivers ditch rides when they spot a foreign name. DiDi stays reliable. Save the headache.
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