Lake Atitlán, Guatemala: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to Lake Atitlán, Guatemala? If you're planning to go to Lake Atitlán, this is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Lake Atitlán
- Important essentials for Lake Atitlán
- Activities for Lake Atitlán
- Lake Atitlán in January: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in February: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in March: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in April: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in May: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in June: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in July: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in August: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in September: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in October: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in November: weather and what to pack
- Lake Atitlán in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Based on the climate and weather in Lake Atitlán, the best time to go is March. See below for details.
Important essentials for Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Lake Atitlán, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
Travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage
Cases are climbing again, and areas are returning to lockdown. If you or a companion get COVID-19, you may be stuck with no way home -- but travel insurance can protect you. Learn more about COVID-19 and travel insurance
-
A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards often get worn. An unreadable vaccine card may result in severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.
-
Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
-
Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an easy-to-carry TSA-friendly product.
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(U.S. Residents) Telehealth COVID-19 test for entry to U.S.
U.S. residents still need a certified COVID-19 test to return home, but it can now be via Zoom. Learn more
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N95 masks
These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID protection available.
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Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks don't exist for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
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Touchless thermometer
A touchless thermometer is important to have.
General health necessities
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Emergency water purifier
Some rural areas may have unreliable tap water, so it's useful to take an emergency water purifier like this one.
-
Travel first aid kit
This one is a great value.
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Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
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Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
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Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. This one works in most places, but you should check with your hotel.
-
For families with young children
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Money/passport pouch
A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.
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Voice and data SIM card
A SIM card that works in Lake Atitlán. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.
-
Airplane or car necessities
What to wear/what to pack for Lake Atitlán, Guatemala by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
If you visit Lake Atitlán during January, you will probably notice that it is extremely hot and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C). Humidity is generally between 40 and 50% during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insulated water bottle
Our favorite:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Bug repellent
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can make you comfortable and guard against UV rays:
-
Skirts
February
February in Lake Atitlán is constantly hot, somewhat hazy and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Skirts
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against UV rays:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Sunglasses
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
March
If you are traveling to Lake Atitlán in March, you will notice that it can be sweltering, extremely hazy and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Skirts
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against skin damage:
-
Sunglasses
-
Waterproof sandals
April
If you vacation in Lake Atitlán during April, you might see that it can be sweltering, extremely hazy and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 70s F (mid 20s C). Humidity is generally between 50 and 60% during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Sunglasses
-
Skirts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses include UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from skin damage:
-
Rain poncho
A good rain poncho to wear over your coat will help avoid loads of aggrevation by protecting your nice coat. We like this one.
-
The stormy weather makes rubber rain boots a must. These boots are great for stormy weather:
-
An umbrella
This excellent one is made for storms.
-
Waterproof luggage cover
So your things stay dry. The most durable luggage can let water in. We suggest:
-
Rain pants
These will be essential in heavy rain.
May
May in Lake Atitlán is consistently hot, somewhat stormy and very hazy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 50s F (mid 10s C) to 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Sunglasses
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against skin damage:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be vital in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a great option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases remain dry. We suggest:
June
June in Lake Atitlán can be sweltering, somewhat rainy and very stormy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can keep you cool and protect you from the sun:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
Skirts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants can be essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a great one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings don't get wet. We recommend:
July
July for Lake Atitlán is pretty consistently hot, somewhat rainy and very stormy. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can make you comfortable and guard against the sun:
-
Sunglasses
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Skirts
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things remain dry. We recommend:
August
If you vacation in Lake Atitlán during August, you may notice that it is extremely hot, somewhat rainy and very stormy. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 70s F (mid 20s C). Humidity is generally between 60 and 70% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can make you comfortable and protect you from UV rays:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
A rain poncho to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a perfect choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags remain dry. We suggest:
September
In September, Lake Atitlán is extremely warm, very rainy and very stormy. Temperatures routinely are in the 80s F (high 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the low 70s F (low 20s C). This is also a rainy time for Lake Atitlán, with more than half of the days of the month having rain. In September, humidity reaches as high as 80%.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and cool you.
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can make you comfortable and protect you from the sun:
-
Sunglasses
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags remain dry. We like:
October
October in Lake Atitlán is hot, somewhat rainy and very stormy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our favorite:
-
Skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunglasses
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can cool you down quickly and protect you from UV rays:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses include UV protection and cool you.
-
A rain jacket to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants will be a lifesaver in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a perfect option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases stay dry. We suggest:
November
Traveling to Lake Atitlán in November, you will notice that it is consistently hot. Expect it to rain sometimes. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Skirts
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against skin damage:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunglasses
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a perfect one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases stay dry. We like:
December
Traveling to Lake Atitlán in December, you will notice that it can be sweltering and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you cool and guard against UV rays:
-
Bug repellent
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
Check out our guides for these other locations: Milford Sound, New Zealand, Schaumburg, Illinois, United States of America, Basildon, England, United Kingdom, Colombia, Colombia, Bangui, Central African Republic, Jermuk, Armenia, Sporades Islands, Greece, Ban Rak Thai, Thailand, Vitré, France, L'Aquila, Italy, and Galicia, Spain.