Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for anyone spending time in Lanquin, Guatemala. With its vibrant natural beauty and rich biodiversity, this region experiences intense sunlight, particularly during the midday hours. Awareness of UV levels is essential for sunburn prevention and maintaining healthy skin, particularly in a climate characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity. As you explore the stunning landscapes of Lanquin, keep an eye on the UV Index—during peak hours, values can soar to 14, indicating extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Prioritizing sun safety will ensure you enjoy all that this beautiful location has to offer without the worry of overexposure.
At dawn, the UV Index starts softly at 2 by 07:00, suggesting a low risk for sun exposure. As the morning progresses, it escalates to 4 by 08:00 and reaches 7 at 09:00, indicating a moderate level of sun intensity. The day peaks with an impressive 14 at 12:00, where sun safety becomes crucial as the risk is rated high. Afternoon hours see a gradual decline from 13 at 13:00 down to 10 by 14:00, before dropping further to 6 at 15:00. As the sun begins to set, the UV Index dwindles to 3 by 16:00, and finally settles at 1 by 17:00 and 18:00, with a complete drop to 0 by 19:00, signaling that the sun's rays are no longer a concern. Always remember to protect your skin during those high UV periods!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant seasonal variation, peaking in the spring and summer months. January starts with a UV Index of 10 (very high), which increases sharply to 12 in February and reaches an extreme 14 by March. The highest levels occur from April to September, maintaining an extreme 14 throughout, with the UV Index only dipping slightly to 13 in September. October also remains in the extreme category at 12, before dropping back to very high levels of 10 in November and 9 in December. Given these values, the high-risk months for sun exposure are from March to October, and it is crucial for visitors and residents to take proactive measures during these times—limiting sun exposure to no more than 10 minutes during peak hours, wearing protective clothing, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to avoid harmful UV effects.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanquin | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| Petapa UVI | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Villa Nueva UVI | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Mixco UVI | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Guatemala City UVI | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| San Juan Sacatepequez UVI | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |