Panajachel (Lake Atitlán) weather in December
December in Panajachel: warm, dry, with muggy air — an excellent time to visit.
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
#3 of 12 months in Panajachel · #75 of 1413 destinations to visit in December · comfort 91/100 (tier S)
- Days
- 23°C
- Nights
- 16°C
- Wet days
- 5
- Sun
- 10 h
- Humidity
- 76%
- Daylight
- 11 h

Traveller notes on Panajachel in December
Notes from nearby Lake Atitlán (8 km away)
Panajachel doesn't have its own notes for December yet — these are about Lake Atitlán, close enough to share the season.
Lake Atitlán's forum calls December part of the reliable dry season — cool, brisk mornings in the mid-teens°C give way to pleasant afternoons in the low-to-mid 20s, with only the odd light shower breaking up mostly clear skies. Regulars recommend layers you can shed once the sun's up, since the highland chill at dawn catches some visitors off guard.
Other months in Panajachel
Lake Atitlán/Panajachel forum threads describe August as a genuine mixed bag - some stretches bring very little rain for weeks, other times it rains most afternoons for an hour or two, with tropical-storm-driven multi-day rain the real exception rather than the norm. The typical daily pattern posters described: gorgeous mornings, then a chance of rain arriving after around 2pm, sometimes hard but usually brief. Crucially, several regulars pointed out it's never oppressively hot here even in the rainy season, since the lake's highland elevation keeps temperatures moderate regardless of rainfall - a rain jacket was the standard packing tip rather than heat gear.
Forum posters describe a consistent daily pattern here in February: warm enough for short sleeves and shorts by day, cooling to genuine sweater weather once the sun goes down - a real day-to-night swing typical of this lake's elevation. February sits squarely in the dry season, with posters noting humidity stays low enough that air conditioning generally isn't needed. Rain isn't common this time of year but does occasionally happen, and posters mention an occasional cold front can push daytime temperatures down enough to want a sweater even before evening. Overall, posters consistently rate February among the more comfortable, predictable months for exploring Panajachel and the villages around Lake Atitlan.
Add your own note from Panajachel's card on the map.
Panajachel climate normals — December
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Panajachel in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
BusyChristmas and New Year, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Panajachel's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Best weatherPanajachel's weather peaks December–February, best around January.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Panajachel in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
The Xocomil
1 Jan – 31 DecWind seasonRiskWarm Pacific air meeting cold air off the highlands raises the Xocomil across Atitlán from late morning most days, hard enough to turn a boat over. Cross to San Pedro or Santiago early and be back before the afternoon. Source ↗
- Season
Dry season
1 Nov – 15 Apr · usuallyThe rains stop, the path up the Indian Nose and the tracks around to San Marcos dry out, and the three volcanoes across the water stay visible all day. Mornings are the clear part; the dust comes later.
- Holiday
Christmas and New Year
18 Dec – 2 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook earlyThe year-end fortnight is a peak for Guatemalan and foreign visitors alike: hotels fill and raise rates, shuttles book up, and fireworks go off at midnight on 24 and 31 December. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Panajachel — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Panajachel?
Panajachel in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Panajachel?
- December in Panajachel: warm, dry, with muggy air — an excellent time to visit. It ranks #3 of 12 months for Panajachel on SeasonMap's comfort score (91/100).
- What is the weather like in Panajachel in December?
- In December, Panajachel averages a daily high of 22.7°C and a low of 15.9°C, with about 23.5 mm of rain over roughly 5.2 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Panajachel in December?
- Panajachel has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 59 in December.
Within 300 km: Lake Atitlán's Santo Tomas at Chichicastenango on 13–21 Dec, and Antigua Guatemala's Quema del Diablo on 7 Dec.