Volcanic soil filled with pumice, very high altitude and an active volcano are characteristics that Fraijanes shares with nearby Antigua. But plenty of rain, high and variable humidity, and a wider temperature range make Fraijanes a very different climate.

Pacaya, the most active of Guatemala’s three active volcanoes, supplies the region with a light deposit of ash every so often, giving the soil an important mineral boost. The dry season has lots of sun. Although clouds, fog and very heavy dew are common in the early morning, they burn off quickly so that all Fraijanes Plateau is sun dried.