How warm is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in December?

Typical highs are about 79°F and the sea is about 81°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in Guatemala's Caribbean coast in December?

In a typical year seaweed is high in December. It is usually lightest in January and July and heaviest in September and October. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.

Is December hurricane season in Guatemala's Caribbean coast?

No. Storm risk is very low in December.

How crowded is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in December?

Typically busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Guatemala's Caribbean coast in December

December is one of the best months to visit Guatemala's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C+, the 3rd best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 79°F, water around 81°F and about a 78% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually high in December. Beaches are typically busy (Christmas & holiday break).

Typical dayC+3rd of 12 months

Highs / water79°FSea 81°F

Rain chance78%on a given day

SeaweedHightypical year

CrowdsBusyChristmas & holiday break

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Guatemala's Caribbean coast month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

November: C+ · December: C+ · January: B. The best months are usually January, February and December, and the weakest are August and September.

Best beaches in Guatemala's Caribbean coast in December

Resorts with the best typical December, and their grades for the next few days.

Beach	Typical Dec	Seaweed	This week
Livingston Resort Hotel	C+	High	SatCSunCMonCTueCWedC
Villa Caribe	C+	High	SatDSunDMonDTueDWedD+
Beya Suites	C+	High	SatCSunCMonCTueCWedC+
Livingston Beach Resorts	C+	High	SatD-SunFMonD-TueD-WedD

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

Better beach options in December

Elsewhere in Central & South America, Panama's Pacific beaches (A-), Belize (B+) and Colombia's Caribbean coast (B) usually grade higher in December. Further afield: Huatulco (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and Los Cabos (A). Every destination in December.

Questions

Is December a good time to visit Guatemala's Caribbean coast?: December is one of the best months to visit Guatemala's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C+, the 3rd best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 79°F, water around 81°F and about a 78% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually high in December. Beaches are typically busy (Christmas & holiday break).
How warm is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in December?: Typical highs are about 79°F and the sea is about 81°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Guatemala's Caribbean coast in December?: In a typical year seaweed is high in December. It is usually lightest in January and July and heaviest in September and October. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
Is December hurricane season in Guatemala's Caribbean coast?: No. Storm risk is very low in December.
How crowded is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in December?: Typically busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Guatemala Caribbean: this week's forecast, beach by beach
Sargassum Report: this week, updated every Monday
Compare dates and beaches on the map

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 4 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.