Weather
There's no denying that June in Guatemala can be pretty rainy, but the rainy season in Guatemala is different from the monsoon seasons seen in other places. Here, the days tend to start out bright and sunny—perfect for exploring—before the rainclouds roll in in the afternoons when you can expect anything from a light drizzle to a thunderstorm that lasts all night long. Luckily though, it's still pretty warm, with temperatures around 85-90°F on the coasts and in tropical Petén, and around 75°F in the highlands.
Crowds and Costs
June is one of the quietest months in Guatemala, without any major cultural events and festivals to draw in the crowds, which means it's perfect for those who want to see the sights and don't mind braving the odd rainstorm, or who are happy to take it easy and spend the mornings exploring and the afternoons relaxing and watching the rain. It also means that you get some of the cheapest prices of the year, and you don't have to plan as far in advance—which is definitely a bonus.
Where to Go
While the rain puts some visitors off exploring too much in June, we still highly recommend it. It's a great time to head to Tikal and explore the ancient Mayan city in the rainforest. If you can, stay in one of the jungle lodges in the national park itself. This way, you can spend the morning exploring and come back to escape the heat of the day and hopefully wait out the storm, before heading back in the afternoon when the rain has brought the jungle to life, with howler monkeys and plenty of amazing wildlife to see.
It's also a great time to explore Alta Verapaz and Semuc Champey, with the rain meaning that the waterfalls are in full-flow and the warm weather making it the perfect time to take a dip. However, the rain can affect transport and make it difficult to get to more remote places, so just bear this in mind when planning your itinerary. The rainy season is also a good time to visit Antigua and Lake Atitlán, where you can spend a few days relaxing and enjoying watching the lightning storms over the volcanoes.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
Although it's can be quite wet on the Pacific Coast in June, It's also a great time to head to Monterrico to see sea turtles lay their eggs. You can also volunteer with one of the sea turtle conservation programs for anything from a few days to a month or two and help collect eggs and deter poachers to protect these magnificent creatures for future generations. After the turtles hatch, they will be released into the ocean between January and September.
June is also a great time to do Spanish school, with plenty of immersive courses across the country, especially in Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and Quetzaltenango—also known as Xela. These can get quite busy in July and August, but June is usually a bit quieter, which means more opportunities for one-on-one learning.
Events in June
Turtle Nesting Season, Pacific Coast - June: If you head to the Pacific coast you'll be able to witness sea turtles making their way onto the black sand beaches to lay their eggs.
Traveling to Guatemala in June? Check out this great itinerary.
Guatemala: Summit to Shoreline - 7 Days. This week-long trip starts in Antigua, and takes you to Lake Atitlán and Chichicastenango, before hiking up to Indian Nose for sunrise and then heading to Monterrico for some R&R on the beach—and the chance to see sea turtles making their way onto the beach to lay their eggs at night.
The tour ends in Monterrico, but you can always head back to Guatemala City from there and then fly up to Tikal if you still want to see the ruins, just speak to our Guatemala Travel Experts to help tailor-make your perfect itinerary.
More Helpful Information
Guatemala in May
Guatemala in July
Best Time of Year to Visit Guatemala
Guatemala Tours and Itineraries