Lake Atitlán · Month comparison
November vs December
November ranks #1 overall vs December at #8. Dry season returns — Día de los Muertos (1-2 Nov) plus Sumpango giant kite festival.
November
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Dry season returns — Día de los Muertos (1-2 Nov) plus Sumpango giant kite festival.
- ↑Día de los Muertos (1-2 Nov) — Santiago cemetery fully decorated
- ↑Sumpango/Santiago Sacatepéquez Giant Kite Festival (1 Nov, day-trip from Atitlán)
December
#8 of 12 months
Strong option
Christmas/NYE peak — backpacker scene at full tilt, Quemada del Diablo and posadas all month.
- ↑Quemada del Diablo (7 Dec) — Burning of the Devil opens Christmas season
- ↑Posadas through December — neighbourhood candlelit processions
| Factor | November | December |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 9 | 9 |
| Value score | 6 | 3 |
| Crowd score | 7 | 3 |
| Events score | 9 | 9 |
| Atmosphere | 10 | 10 |
| Avg high temp | 23°C | 23°C |
| Monthly rain | 30mm | 10mm |
| Daily sunshine | 8hrs | 9hrs |
November trade-offs
- ↓Rates climb sharply through the month as dry season begins
- ↓Cool nights returning (11°C) — pack a sweater
December trade-offs
- ↓Hostel and hotel rates at year-highs in San Marcos/San Pedro/Panajachel
- ↓Cool nights at 10°C, occasional dawn frost on the highlands above
- ↓Lancha boats run on holiday schedules — fewer departures
Scores compare months within Lake Atitlán. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →