Month guide · Antigua · Guatemala
Antigua in December
What December is really like in Antigua: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Antigua. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 11.3 hours of daylight. Dry, cool and festive; nights are cold enough for a jacket, and the Christmas season is busy with Guatemalan visitors.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Antigua: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 24°C (75°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with November (23°C (73°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:20
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:37
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
Late rains (August–October). The wettest months, with heavy afternoon rain and muddy trails, but quiet streets and low hotel rates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is March at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in March). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Quema del Diablo — bonfires burning effigies of the devil (7 December)
- Christmas posadas — evening processions (mid to late December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Museum · Centro around Parque Central
ChocoMuseo
A small chocolate museum and shop that runs bean-to-bar workshops, where you roast and grind cacao, make a Mayan-style cacao drink and mould your own bars.
- Time needed
- 2 hours for a workshop
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Food
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · La Merced and Calle del Arco
Cerro de la Cruz
Walk up in daylight with others and go early in the morning, when the air is clearest and the volcano is least likely to be in cloud.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Active
Experience · San Felipe de Jesús
Finca Filadelfia coffee tour
On the slopes above San Felipe de Jesús, this working estate leads tours through shaded coffee plants, wet mills, drying patios and roasting, ending with a tasting.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Landmark · Centro around Parque Central
Parque Central
Sit on the upper arcade of the city hall side late in the afternoon for a view across the square to Volcán de Agua.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 11°C and 3 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Antigua?
One of the best months to visit Antigua, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are January–March and November. Compare every month.
Antigua in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Antigua?
It is one of the best months to visit Antigua. Dry, cool and festive; nights are cold enough for a jacket, and the Christmas season is busy with Guatemalan visitors.
+How warm is Antigua in December?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Antigua in December?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.