How to dress in Guatemala? -

You are about to spend a stay from a few days or a few weeks to Guatemala and you want to start prepare your suitcases for this wonderful trip? Here is some essentials to take with you but also some advice on how to dress in Guatemala.

When to go to Guatemala?

Central American country, Guatemala is a country with temperature and climate pleasant all year round. Indeed, with its equatorial climate, it is good to live there all year round.

However with its many volcanoes and mountains, he can quickly do cool at altitude, so better be prepared.

Found a dry season between November and April and one srains between corn and October. Obviously, the best time to visit the country is during the dry season.

I went to Guatemala during the month of February and the weather was perfect with freshness in the region of volcanoes and at altitude, a little rain in the Caribbean and very hot weather in the region of Flores.

How to dress to visit the Mayan sites in Guatemala?

The most famous Mayan sites are in the Petén region in the north of the country, around Flores. Among these sites, the most famous is probably Tikal, which is a must see if you come to Guatemala. But don't forget that there are others like El Mirador or even Yaxha.

When I visited the Peten area at the end of February, I was impressed by the heat. It was warmer there than in other parts of Guatemala that I visited during my trip.

Indeed, temperatures approached 40 ° C in the evening so I'll let you imagine the temperature in the middle of the day.

If you want to go and visit the Mayan sites, I advise you to dress in light clothes. Visiting the Mayan sites is not not particularly sporty, you don't need any special gear. You just go walk in the jungle around the temples and sometimes you will have the right to climb to the top of certain ruins and temples to admire a view.

Here is what I recommend for clothes:

little dress
Shorts
t-shirt / tank top
Baskets

The upside is that the Mayan sites are right in the middle of the jungle, so you will often benefit from the shade of the trees, but not always.

So don't forget:

Sunscreen
cap / hat
Sunglasses
Water
snack / appetite suppressant

The sites are very large, especially in Tikal, take enough water to hydrate you and not to run out.

How to dress for hiking on volcanoes in Guatemala?

We can find 37 volcanoes in the territory of Guatemala, of which 3 still active today. This country therefore offers many beautiful landscapes. One of the activities to do when traveling to Guatemala is to climb one of these volcanoes. Among the best known are the Acatenango volcano or Pacaya or San Pedro volcano.

Some of these volcanoes allow you to reach an altitude of 4 meters, so it is worth better to be well equipped before embarking on such an adventure.

For each ascent, I advise you to take :

breathable shorts or pants (depending on the season and the weather)
Breathable short-sleeved or long-sleeved t-shirt (depending on the season)
sweater / fleece
Small down jacket
K-way
Hiking socks
Mountain shoes

As regards the accessoiries to take in your backpack for the day:

crème solaire
Sunglasses
hat / cap
Bottle of water
snack / fruit

Be aware, however, that if you want to climb the Acatenango volcano which is done over 2 days, you will have the possibility to borrow equipment on site (for example, down jacket, gloves, hat etc.).

How to dress in Lake Atitlan in Guatemala?

Le Lake Atitlan, also described as the most beautiful lakeu world, is located 1562 meters above sea level. The lake is surrounded by volcanoes and legend has it that 84 years ago this lake filled an ancient volcano crater following a volcanic eruption.

The weather at the lake is very pleasant during the day, however, the soir, due to the altitude, it may be a little cooler.

If you decide to go spend a few days at the edge of this very relaxing lake, I advise you to take:

swimsuit : it is possible to swim in certain places in the lake. Other places are not recommended so find out before.
Shorts / dress : for the day
t-shirt / tank top : for the day
Pants and bibs : for evening
vest / sweater : for the evening because the evenings can be cool
Flip flops
Small sneakers

If you want to take this place to go hike up the Indian Nose or San Pedro volcano, take them away clothes that I recommend in the paragraph on hiking the volcano in Guatemala.

Also, the sun can bang on this lake so don't forget:

Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Bath towels
Cap / hat
Mosquito repellent for evening

How to dress on the Pacific or Caribbean coasts in Guatemala?

Although the climate in Guatemala is extremely pleasant all year round, when you get closer to the coast the weather can be cooler. This is particularly the case on the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

Regarding the caribbean coast, this one may be rainier during certain periods.

It is therefore advisable to take :

swimsuit
shorts / dress
t-shirt / tank top
Cardigan / sweater for the evening
Flip-flops / slides
K-way for the Caribbean coast
cap / hat
Sunscreen
Beach towel
Mosquito repellent for evening

How to dress in the cities of Guatemala?

Coming to Guatemala you will surely spend a few days visiting the towns and villages of this splendid country and in particular Antigua, Flores, the villages of Lake Atitlán, Río Dulce, Livingston, Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala City and many others.

He usually doest hot in the cities Guatemala but obviously it depends on the city and its size.

In order to be the most comfortable to visit the cities of Guatemala, I advise you to wear light outfits in order to be able to breathe and not to find yourself soaked with heat after having made 50 meters.

For example:

shorts / dress / light pants
T-shirt

I will also advise you to wear comfortable shoes in order to be able to trudge easily without having sore feet.

How to dress in Guatemala when you are a woman?

Traveling as a woman in Guatemala is not a problem, you will surely meet a lot of single women in Guatemala. However, you have to be careful and I advise you to dress correctly, especially in more traditional and typical places.

Also in the transports, I advise you not to travel in mini-shorts and to prefer small, light pants to be calm.

You can without no problem swimming in a bikini or walking in shorts and tank top in the right places but try to respect traditions when entering less touristy parts of the country because the Guatemalans are quite modest.

How do locals dress in Guatemala?

The Guatemalans dress in a traditional and colorful way. We find their mayan culture through their colorful and artisanal clothes.

The men dress more classically whether in cities or more remote areas.

On the other hand, the women, outside the cities, often dress with their colorful traditional clothes. These are dresses or skirts covering the legs and arms of women.

The Guatemalans are very modest. You do not will not see them bathing in swimsuits whether in lakes, natural pools or the sea. Women often swim with t-shirts, and men too, although some swim in shorts.