Main image

Simon Burchell CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Mixco Viejo

Archaeological Site

Mixco Viejo offers K'iche' Maya ruins of terraced plazas, stone walls and temple platforms set amid pine-covered hills; visitors combine site walks with regional markets and Guatemalan highland villages.

Mixco Viejo Antigua GuatemalaLake AtitlánTikalGuatemala CitySemuc ChampeyMixco Viejo
In this guide

Mixco Viejo essentials

Address: Mixco Viejo (Jilotepeque Viejo), near San Martín Jilotepeque, Quiché Department, Guatemala
Hours: Daily 8:00am-5:00pm (hours may vary)
Admission: Entrance to the archaeological site: small local fee (approximately GTQ 20-50); guided tours extra
GoogleAppleOSM
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Mixco Viejo

Visit during the dry season to avoid muddy trails and limited visibility from rain.

Dry season
November-April · 18-26°C (64-79°F)
Easier hiking and clearer views across the valley; ideal for exploring ruins.
Rainy season
May-October · 16-24°C (61-75°F)
Shorter rains in afternoons can make the stone steps slippery; mornings are often fine.

Weather & Climate near Mixco Viejo

Climate

Mixco Viejo's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 16°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2340 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 72 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryFebruaryDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 16° - 27° 22° 31 mm mostly sunny 81% 2.3 m/s 1.8 very high 11.3h
February Ideal 17° - 29° 23° 37 mm mostly sunny 75% 2.3 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.6h
March Excellent 18° - 30° 24° 36 mm some cloud 68% 2.3 m/s 2.5 extreme 11.9h
April Excellent 19° - 31° 25° 94 mm partly cloudy 66% 1.8 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.3h
May Good 19° - 30° 25° 200 mm overcast 75% 1.4 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.7h
June Good 20° - 28° 24° 430 mm overcast 84% 1.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.8h
July Good 19° - 28° 24° 325 mm partly cloudy 85% 1.4 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.8h
August Good 19° - 29° 24° 327 mm partly cloudy 86% 1.3 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.5h
September Good 19° - 28° 23° 437 mm overcast 88% 1.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.1h
October Good 18° - 28° 23° 273 mm partly cloudy 88% 1.3 m/s 1.9 very high 11.7h
November Excellent 17° - 27° 22° 109 mm some cloud 87% 1.6 m/s 1.8 very high 11.3h
December Ideal 16° - 27° 22° 41 mm mostly sunny 85% 2.0 m/s 1.7 very high 11.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Mixco Viejo

From Guatemala City, Mixco Viejo is roughly a 1.5-2 hour drive northwest via CA-1 and local roads toward Santa Apolonia/San Martín Jilotepeque. Local colectivos and tours also run from Guatemala City and nearby Quiché towns.

Tips for Visiting Mixco Viejo

  • Hire a local guide at the site to understand the defensive layout and the names of plazas and palaces.
  • Wear a hat and bring sun protection: the stone plazas offer little shade.
  • Combine a visit with nearby towns like Chichicastenango or Guatemala City-Mixco Viejo is less crowded early morning.