The immediate climate is largely governed by altitude . The Guatemala tourist board calls the country "the land of eternal spring", and since most places of interest are between 1300 and 1600m (including Antigua, Lago de AtitlA?n and CobA?n) there's some justification in this. However, in Quetzaltenango and the Cuchumatanes mountains the climate can be cool and damp and nights distinctly cold. In low-lying PetA©n it's a different world, with sticky, steamy conditions most of the year. The Pacific and Caribbean coasts are equally hot and humid, but here at least you can usually rely on the welcome relief of sea breezes.

There is also a rainy season , roughly from May to October, which Guatemalans call winter, though the rain is usually confined to the late afternoon and the rest of the day is often warm and pleasant. As a rule it's only in remote parts that rain can affect your travel plans. This is especially so in PetA©n, where the rainy season extends into December and it's advisable to delay any real exploration until February.

The busiest time for tourism is between December and March, when many North Americans seek respite from the cold; and again in July and August - this is also the busiest time for the language schools.