| Copyright (c) 2009 The Greatfishing Company | | | | The tag though is is a bit misleading - as there are |
| Guatemala is often called the land of the eternal spring | | | | effectively only two seasons: the dry season and the |
| - in fact it is the unofficial National Slogan, although for | | | | rainy season. The longer season is the rainy season, |
| a while it became the formal footnote for the country - | | | | which lasts from May through October (often with a |
| as from 1935 and continuing for the next forty years, it | | | | pleasant intermission in August) followed by the dry |
| was used as the text in four languages for the | | | | season which lasts from January through April. |
| cancelling of all stamps and postage coming in and | | | | Guatemala is blessed with remarkably docile seas - |
| leaving the country. | | | | often as far out as 50 miles it can be calm and almost |
| This familiarity persists today, although it can be | | | | like a lake. Observing the geography of the coastline, |
| misleading. While in Guatemala you can experience | | | | you can see how the waters form a large protected |
| comfortable spring breezes, hot and humid tropical | | | | bowl with Mexico at the top and Panama at the |
| weather and very cold nights (below 0°C ), all in | | | | bottom. |
| the same day, depending on where in Guatemala you | | | | This combined with the protection offered from the |
| are. | | | | prevailing winds by the highlands and the ridge of |
| The average annual temperature in the highlands | | | | volcanoes means that the coast and coastal waters |
| above 3,000 meters (9840 ft) is 15°C (59°F), | | | | are almost wind free on a year round basis, with late |
| while in the lowlands the average is 25°C | | | | February through May almost guaranteeing flat seas. |
| (77°F). In the lowlands and towards the Pacific | | | | During the dry season - and the height of the sailfishing |
| Coast that preoccupies most fishermen, the | | | | season of November - May, it is highly unusual to see |
| temperature can reach 38°C (89°F) or | | | | any problems with weather impacting the sportfishing |
| greater - with peak temperature and humidity mid-year. | | | | fleet's ability to leave the dock. Even during the wet |
| The term itself "Land of Eternal Spring" was first used | | | | season, the weather offshore can vary significantly to |
| to give the image of a country and countryside that | | | | the coastal weather - but there is certainly a greater |
| was in perpetual bloom. Away from the coast, the land | | | | propensity for weather delays or to be "blown out" in |
| rises towards the volcanoes and the climate becomes | | | | the Summer months. |
| temperate and ideal for cultivation - hence blossoming | | | | Don't be fooled though - the colling effect of the |
| month to month. Flower cultivation and export (primarily | | | | breeze while fishing - it remains mandatory however |
| roses) continues to be a major industry in Guatemala | | | | to prudently apply high factor sun protection..........this is a |
| today - in fact one of the largest rose farms in the | | | | must when fishing offshore all year round in |
| world can be found just outside the ancient capital of | | | | Guatemala, along with high quality sunglasses and a |
| Antigua. | | | | wide brimmed hat for screening your head. |