December in Guatemala offers some of the best travel conditions—dry weather, blue skies, and cooler temperatures across the highlands. It’s an ideal time for exploring Antigua’s cobbled streets, hiking active volcanoes, or relaxing by Lake Atitlán. But packing can be tricky: mornings and evenings get chilly in the mountains, while jungles and lowlands stay warm and humid.
Expect a mix of climates: tropical warmth in Petén and Tikal, spring-like cool in the highlands, and sunny afternoons across the country. Layers are your best friend—plus practical shoes and rain-resistant gear for adventure.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Guatemala in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Antigua: 12°C to 24°C (54°F to 75°F)
- Guatemala City: 13°C to 23°C (55°F to 73°F)
- Lake Atitlán: 10°C to 23°C (50°F to 73°F)
- Tikal (Petén): 19°C to 30°C (66°F to 86°F)
- Dry season starts, but mornings/evenings are cool 🏞️
What to Pack for Guatemala in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Backpack or rolling duffel – for cobbled roads 🎒
- Daypack – essential for volcano hikes ⛰️
- Packing cubes – separate hot vs cool clothes 📦
- Shoe bags – keep mud off your clothes 👟
- Toiletry kit – TSA-ready if flying 🧴
- Waterproof pouch – for jungle zones 🌿
- Document wallet – passport, cash, ID 💼
- Laundry pouch – for muddy/volcanic gear 🧺
- Neck pillow – for bus rides 🛌
- Sleep mask – for noisy hostels 😴
👗 Clothes
- T-shirts (3–5) – breathable for hikes 👕
- Long sleeve shirts (2–3) – sun and bug protection 🌤️
- Light hoodie or fleece (1–2) – chilly mornings 🧥
- Rain jacket – especially for jungle treks ☔
- Quick-dry pants – hiking or ziplining ready 👖
- Leggings – comfy for travel & layering 🧘
- Modest dress or skirt – for churches or towns 👗
- Sleepwear – light cotton or thermal set 🛌
- Swimsuit – for hot springs or lake dips 👙
- Cover-up – beach towns or hostels 🧣
- Underwear & bras (5–7) 👙
- Wool or athletic socks (4–5) 🧦
- Buff or scarf – dust + wind protection 🧣
💆 Skincare
- SPF 30+ sunscreen – high altitudes = high UV 🌞
- Moisturizer – combat dry mountain air 💧
- Bug repellent – jungle & lakes 🦟
- Lip balm – dry + dusty climate 💋
- Cleansing wipes – great for volcano treks 🧽
- Aloe gel – for sun or bug bites 🌿
💄 Makeup
- Tinted SPF moisturizer – 2-in-1 base 💄
- Waterproof mascara – for humid jungle 👁️
- Cream blush – adds natural glow 🌸
- Eyebrow gel – low-maintenance polish 💁
- Lip tint – hydrate + color 💋
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – packable 💇
- Hair ties – jungle-ready buns 🌀
- Dry shampoo – for dusty trail days 🌬️
- Shampoo/conditioner – travel bottles 🚿
- Leave-in conditioner – sun & dust damage ✨
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Trail runners or hiking boots – volcano + jungle 🥾
- Sandals – for towns or hostels 🩴
- Water shoes – if visiting Semuc Champey 🛶
- Hat – sun protection 🌞
- Sunglasses – polarizing if possible 🕶️
- Crossbody bag – secure and light 👜
- Buff or neck gaiter – multi-use 🧣
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – valid 6+ months 🛂
- Travel insurance – medical & theft 📄
- Flight confirmations & bus tickets 📲
- Cash in quetzales + USD 💵
- Copy of passport & ID 🧾
🚑 First Aid
- Motion sickness pills – for winding roads 🚐
- Antiseptic cream – for cuts or bites 🩹
- Band-aids – blisters happen 🩺
- Dramamine – bus to Semuc Champey 😵
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Hand sanitizer – markets & buses 🧴
- Wet wipes – dusty hikes 🧻
- Toilet paper – always carry a little! 🧻
- Feminine care – bring your preferred brand 🩸
- Toothbrush & paste 🪥
- Deodorant – high heat = need freshness 🧼
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone + charger 📱
- Power bank – for remote areas 🔋
- Outlet adapter (Type A/B) 🔌
- Camera or GoPro – for volcano treks 📸
- Offline maps – spotty service 🗺️
🎧 Entertainment
- Books or Kindle – long bus rides 📚
- Music or podcasts – offline mode 🎧
- Notebook – journal your jungle thoughts 📝
🎁 Extras
- Filtered water bottle – avoid tap 💧
- Mini flashlight or headlamp – rural power outages 🔦
- Travel towel – hostels or lakes 🏞️
- Snacks – for long transfers 🍫
🌍 Travel Tips
- Layer up for cool mornings 🌤️
- Only drink bottled or filtered water 🚱
- Use sunscreen even on cloudy days ⛅
- Be ready for uneven roads & hikes 🥾
🛂 Visa Tips
- No visa for most nationalities (90 days) 🛂
- Proof of onward travel may be required ✈️
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport 🛂
- Bug spray 🦟
- Sunscreen 🌞
- Hiking shoes 🥾
- Filtered bottle 💧
- Power bank 🔋
👍 Good-to-Have
- Water shoes 🛶
- Travel towel 🏞️
- Rain jacket ☔
- Headlamp 🔦
- Notebook 📝
