How warm is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in January?

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 January?

In a typical year seaweed is moderate in January. 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 January hurricane season in Guatemala's Caribbean coast?

No. Storm risk is very low in January.

How crowded is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in January?

Typically busy, around New Year holiday and MLK weekend. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Guatemala's Caribbean coast in January

January is one of the best months to visit Guatemala's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades B, the 1st best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 79°F, water around 81°F and about a 71% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually moderate in January. Beaches are typically busy (New Year holiday and MLK weekend).

Typical dayB1st of 12 months

Highs / water79°FSea 81°F

Rain chance71%on a given day

SeaweedModeratetypical year

CrowdsBusyNew Year holiday

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.

December: C+ · January: B · February: 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 January

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

Beach	Typical Jan	Seaweed	This week
Livingston Resort Hotel	B	Moderate	SatCSunCMonCTueCWedC
Beya Suites	B	Moderate	SatCSunCMonCTueCWedC+
Villa Caribe	B-	High	SatDSunDMonDTueDWedD+
Livingston Beach Resorts	B-	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 January

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

Questions

Is January a good time to visit Guatemala's Caribbean coast?: January is one of the best months to visit Guatemala's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades B, the 1st best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 79°F, water around 81°F and about a 71% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually moderate in January. Beaches are typically busy (New Year holiday and MLK weekend).
How warm is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in January?: 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 January?: In a typical year seaweed is moderate in January. 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 January hurricane season in Guatemala's Caribbean coast?: No. Storm risk is very low in January.
How crowded is Guatemala's Caribbean coast in January?: Typically busy, around New Year holiday and MLK weekend. 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.