Guatemala
Quetzaltenango in May
🌦️ Shoulder (showers)Pleasant and often rainy. Watch for hazy air.
🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings · compact umbrella or rain jacket · N95 mask for hazy days
Why May scores 7.6What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.5
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (23°C highs / 9°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 10°C)
- !Wet: ~132 mm rain, ~6 heavy-rain days
- Air quality4.3
- !Unhealthy for sensitive groups (PM2.5 ~47 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline5.0
- ·High caution
| May | Nov | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.6 Very good | 8.4 Very good |
| Season | 🌦️ Shoulder (showers) | 🌤️ Cool dry season |
| High / low | 23° / 9° | 21° / 6° |
| Rain | 132 mm | 19 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 10° | dew pt 7° |
| PM2.5 | 47 µg/m³ | 31 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Quetzaltenango weather-station normals. Rainfall: Quetzaltenango Labor Ovalle weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
No long holidaysNo long public-holiday weekends this month. School holidays aren't counted, so check those if you want to avoid family crowds.
Other public holidays: Labor Day (1 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore QuetzaltenangoEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyGuatemala's second city, known as Xela, in the western highlands; popular for Spanish-language schools, volcano hikes and nearby hot springs.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Feria de Independencia (Feria de Xela)Date variesUsually mid-September around Independence Day
The city's main annual fair, with parades, a funfair and events around 15 September.
Why go: A good time to see local celebrations; the city is busy.
Where: Quetzaltenango
Day of All SaintsEvery year1 November every year
Families decorate graves and share food in cemeteries.
Why go: Be respectful and ask before photographing people.
Where: Cemeteries
Semana SantaDate variesHoly Week — usually March or April, date moves each year
Religious processions carry large floats through streets, sometimes over decorated sawdust carpets.
Why go: Accommodation and transport are busy nationwide.
Where: Churches and streets in the centre
Parque Centroamérica
The central square, surrounded by neoclassical buildings and the cathedral.
Volcán Santa María
A steep overnight or pre-dawn hike to a summit with views of the active Santiaguito dome below.
💡 Go with a guide and start early, as clouds usually build by mid-morning.
Fuentes Georginas
Natural hot springs pools in a misty cloud forest near Zunil.
Laguna Chicabal
A crater lake in a dormant volcano that is a sacred Maya ceremonial site.
💡 Often misty; be respectful if ceremonies are taking place.
San Andrés Xecul
A nearby village church with a brightly painted yellow facade covered in figures.
San Francisco El Alto market
A large Friday market in a hill town near Xela selling everything from textiles to livestock.
Pepián
A thick, spiced meat stew with roasted seeds and chiles, considered a national dish.
💡 Local comedores
Chuchitos
Small, firm corn tamales filled with meat and tomato sauce.
💡 Street stalls and markets
Atol de elote
A warm, sweet corn drink.
💡 Street vendors, especially in the evening
Shecas
A sweet bread associated with Xela, eaten with coffee or hot chocolate.
💡 Local bakeries
Maya textiles
Hand-woven huipiles, fabrics and bags from highland villages.
💡 Local markets and weaving cooperatives
Guatemalan coffee
Highland-grown coffee beans.
💡 Cafes and markets
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
Partner links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects scores.