Semuc Champey in December

Dry season (November through April) is your sweet spot. The pools are at their most brilliant turquoise, and you won't spend your visit dodging downpours. December through February brings the clearest water but also the biggest crowds — book accommodation weeks ahead. March and April offer the best balance. Water levels are perfect, crowds thin out after Easter, and you'll actually get those Instagram shots without photobombing backpackers. Rainy season (May through October) isn't automatically a disaster, but the pools can turn muddy brown after heavy storms. The upside? Accommodation costs drop by half, and you might have the place nearly to yourself. Just pack serious rain gear and flexible plans. Avoid Semana Santa (Easter week) unless you enjoy human sardine experiences. Guatemalan families descend en masse, and finding a quiet pool becomes impossible.