April is typically the hottest month of the dry season before the rains begin; mornings are pleasant but afternoons can be warm in the lowlands. Accommodation and flight prices start to ease after Easter.
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Temperature map
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Average temperature across Guatemala in April.
Where to Go in Guatemala in April
Pacific Coast & Southern Lowlands
Monterrico, Sipacate, Puerto San José
April often feels like the year’s hottest stretch along the Pacific: sunburn risk is high, surf conditions can be excellent at dawn and dusk, and the water is warm. Travelers planning volcano treks from coastal towns to Pacaya or Acatenango should be mindful that ash from Fuego can occasionally reach lowland communities, prompting brief closures of outdoor activities. Late afternoons may begin to show the first heavier clouds - a light waterproof layer and flexible plans help.
Central Highlands
Antigua, Guatemala City, Lake Atitlán, Panajachel
April can be the warmest month in the highlands before the rains arrive, with sun-filled days in Antigua and dry, pleasant evenings by Lake Atitlán - Semana Santa (Holy Week) brings a surge of visitors and locally elaborate processions and alfombras. Treks up Acatenango or day-hikes from Panajachel are popular but watch for ash fall if Fuego is active. Layered clothing is useful: mornings and nights are cool, afternoons can be hot in sun-exposed sites like Guatemala City.
Western Highlands & Sierra de los Cuchumatanes
Quetzaltenango/Xela, Huehuetenango, Todos Santos
April often delivers the year’s warmest daytime highs before the rains arrive, particularly in lower highland towns such as Huehuetenango; dawns are cool, but afternoons can feel surprisingly warm in thin mountain air. Visitors enter festival season - weekdays may be quiet but weekends lively - and volcanic ash events, though uncommon here, are possible if Fuego is active far to the east. Layering is still key for comfortable day-to-night transitions.
Petén & Maya Lowlands
Flores, Tikal, Yaxhá
April is the cusp of the wet season and the hottest month in many years, with scorching midday temperatures and increasingly humid evenings - the forest canopy offers shade but insect activity grows. Afternoon thunderstorms begin to appear by month’s end, sometimes turning remote forest tracks muddy and slick. Travelers should prioritize sunrise and morning visits to ruins, drink plenty of water, and use high-SPF sunblock and mosquito protection as evening activity increases.
Caribbean Coast & Izabal
Puerto Barrios, Río Dulce, Livingston, Izabal lake
April is one of the hottest months on the Caribbean littoral, with strong humidity and the occasional thundercloud forming late in the day; river boat trips remain popular in the cool morning hours. Livingston’s vibrant Garífuna festivals and seaside food scene are lively but be ready for sticky evenings - a collapsible hand fan can be a surprisingly useful accessory. Keep an eye on marine forecasts if planning open-water excursions.
Events & Festivals in April
Semana Santa (variable)
If Easter falls in April, Semana Santa processions and alfombras (sawdust carpets) in Antigua attract big crowds and busy roads.
Planning a trip to Guatemala?
See how April compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.
