Guatemala
Quetzaltenango in October
🌦️ Shoulder (showers)Pleasant and some showers.
🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings
Why October scores 8.2What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.8
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (22°C highs / 8°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 9°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~94 mm rain)
- Air quality6.4
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~29 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline5.0
- ·High caution
| Oct | Nov | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.2 Very good | 8.4 Very good |
| Season | 🌦️ Shoulder (showers) | 🌤️ Cool dry season |
| High / low | 22° / 8° | 21° / 6° |
| Rain | 94 mm | 19 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 9° | dew pt 7° |
| PM2.5 | 29 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 & crowdsOctober 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- All Saints' Day 30 Oct – 1 Nov · 3 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Revolution Day (20 Oct)
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 October.
Coming up later
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
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
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.