Things to Do in Guatemala in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in Guatemala
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Tail end of rainy season means lush green landscapes and dramatically fewer tourists than high season. You'll actually get photos at Antigua's iconic arches without 50 people in the frame, and accommodation prices drop 25-40% compared to December-March.
- October sits in that sweet spot where the highlands are still verdant from months of rain, but you're starting to get more reliable weather windows. The volcanoes around Antigua and Lake Atitlán are particularly stunning right now, with cloud forests at their most vibrant.
- Día de los Muertos preparations begin in late October, so you'll catch locals building massive kites in Santiago Sacatepéquez and decorating cemeteries. It's a fascinating cultural window that most tourists miss entirely, without the actual November 1st crowds.
- Coffee harvest season is just beginning in the highlands. Fincas around Antigua, Cobán, and Huehuetenango start picking, and some offer tours where you can actually participate in the harvest rather than just walking through static plantations.
Considerations
- Rain is genuinely unpredictable in October. You might get three gorgeous days followed by two where it drizzles from noon until evening. This isn't the catastrophic downpours of August-September, but it does mean you need flexible plans and can't count on that perfect volcano sunrise hike.
- Some remote areas become legitimately difficult to access. The road to Semuc Champey can be muddy and occasionally impassable after heavy rain, and boat schedules on Lake Atitlán get disrupted when afternoon storms roll in. If you're on a tight timeline, this gets frustrating.
- October is technically still hurricane season in the Caribbean, which affects Río Dulce and Livingston. While direct hits are rare, the weather on the Caribbean coast tends to be wetter and less predictable than the highlands this month.
Best Activities in October
Antigua Volcano Hikes
October mornings often deliver crystal-clear conditions before afternoon clouds roll in, making this ideal for volcano hiking. Acatenango overnight hikes are particularly spectacular right now because you'll see active Fuego erupting against night skies without the biting cold of high season. The trails are muddy but manageable with proper boots, and you'll encounter maybe 30% of the crowds you'd see in January. Start early, genuinely early, like 4am for sunrise hikes, because cloud cover typically builds by 10-11am.
Lake Atitlán Village Hopping
The lake is stunning in October, surrounded by green hills and usually calm in the mornings. San Marcos is perfect for yoga and wellness activities, San Pedro has the backpacker scene and language schools, Santiago Atitlán offers authentic Tz'utujil culture and markets. The afternoon storms that locals call 'Xocomil' are less intense than earlier rainy season months but still happen, so plan water activities before 2pm. Humidity is noticeable but not oppressive at 1,562 m (5,125 ft) elevation.
Tikal Archaeological Site Exploration
Tikal in October is genuinely magical because the rain keeps temperatures slightly cooler than the brutal heat of March-May, and the jungle is lush and alive. You'll hear howler monkeys at dawn, spot toucans in the canopy, and climb temples with maybe 20% of high season crowds. Morning visits from 6-10am are crucial because afternoon rain is likely 60% of days. The humidity is real at 70%, but the forest canopy provides shade, and it's honestly more comfortable than visiting in peak dry season when it hits 35°C (95°F).
Semuc Champey Natural Pools
This is honestly risky in October because access depends entirely on road conditions, but if you can get there, you'll have those turquoise pools nearly to yourself. The water level is perfect after months of rain, the surrounding jungle is incredibly green, and the caves are flowing with water making them more adventurous. That said, the 45-minute drive from Lanquín on an unpaved road can be challenging after heavy rain. Check conditions with your accommodation before committing.
Chichicastenango Market Experience
The Thursday and Sunday markets in Chichi are spectacular in October because you'll see locals buying supplies for Día de los Muertos preparations. The market is massive, genuinely authentic (not primarily tourist-focused), and the surrounding hills are green and beautiful. October means fewer tour buses than high season, so you can actually navigate the market without being shoulder-to-shoulder. Go early, like 7-8am, before it gets crowded and before afternoon rain threatens.
Coffee Farm Tours in Antigua Region
October marks the beginning of coffee harvest season, which means you can actually see and participate in picking rather than just touring static facilities. The fincas around Antigua offer tours that explain the full process from plant to cup, and in October you'll see workers hand-picking ripe cherries on the slopes. The weather is perfect for this, cool enough for walking through plantations at 1,500-2,000 m (4,920-6,560 ft) elevation, with morning clarity before afternoon clouds.
October Events & Festivals
Día de los Muertos Preparation Period
While the actual celebration happens November 1st, late October is when you'll see the real cultural activity. In Santiago Sacatepéquez, locals begin constructing massive barriletes (kites) that will be flown on November 1st. Families start cleaning and decorating graves in cemeteries across the highlands. Markets stock special foods like fiambre ingredients and flowers. It's a genuinely fascinating time to be in Guatemala if you're interested in cultural observation rather than just showing up for the main event.
Coffee Harvest Beginning
Not a festival but a significant cultural and economic event. October marks the start of the coffee harvest season across Guatemala's highlands. You'll see increased activity in coffee-growing regions, with families and workers heading to fincas for picking season. Some towns hold small celebrations or blessings for the harvest, though these are local affairs rather than tourist events.