Planning Your Trip to Guatemala: A Practical Guide

When to go, which vaccines, which itinerary, what to see: here is our practical guide and travel tips to help you prepare your trip to Guatemala!

At a Glance: Essential Facts Before You Go to Guatemala

• Best time to travel: During the dry season, from November to April
• Entry requirements: Passport valid for the full duration of the stay and 3 months after the return flight date
• Flight duration: Around 16 hours from Europe to Guatemala City (with a stopover)
• Time difference: Guatemala is 6 hours behind the UK in winter and 7 hours behind in summer.
• Languages: The official language is Spanish. More than twenty Maya languages are also spoken by local communities across the country.
• Population: 17.6 million
• Area: 108,890 km²
• Currency: The Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). As of January 2024, €1 was worth approximately 8.5 quetzales. We recommend checking the exchange rate before departure.
• Plug type: Types A and B, an adapter is required.
• Country code: +502
• Tipping: +10%

Climate: When to Travel to Guatemala?

Guatemalan Climate

With an average annual temperature of 20°C, Guatemala enjoys one of the most pleasant climates in Central America, earning it the nickname “the land of eternal spring”!

In the highland regions at 1,300 to 1,600 metres altitude (Guatemala City, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango and Cobán), nights are cool but days are very pleasant during the dry season.

Heat and humidity characterise the tropical climate of the Petén jungle and both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.

The rainy season runs from May to October in the central highlands and sometimes into November in the lowlands of Petén and on both coasts. It brings clear skies before and after the rainfall, which typically falls in the afternoon and evening.

In coastal regions, temperatures reach 37°C, while in the highest mountains it can frost at night. The dry season runs from November to April and brings very mild temperatures.

When Is the Best Time to Go to Guatemala?

November through to April are the preferred months to visit Guatemala during the dry season. Humidity is low (with the caveat of late rains in Petén and overnight frosts above 2,000m) and temperatures are gentle in the tropical regions.

In general, Guatemala is a pleasant destination to visit year-round.

Planning Your Guatemala Itinerary

Guatemala’s Must-Sees

Between Maya archaeological sites, volcanoes, lush jungle and colonial cities, Guatemala promises a vividly colourful journey! Here are the highlights not to miss:

1. Lake Atitlán, ringed by volcanoes and considered by many travellers to be the most beautiful lake in the world!
2. Antigua Guatemala, the most beautiful city in the country, with its cobbled alleyways and flower-filled gardens
3. The spectacular archaeological site of Tikal, nestled in the Petén jungle
4. The market of Chichicastenango, a labyrinth of a thousand colours
5. Livingston on the Caribbean coast, at the heart of Garifuna culture, an Afro-Caribbean community

How Long Should You Spend in Guatemala?

For a Guatemala trip, two weeks are generally considered the ideal duration to discover the country’s main attractions. This allows you to visit unmissable sites such as Lake Atitlán, Antigua and the ruins of Tikal while still enjoying an immersive experience in local culture.

Although Guatemala is a relatively small country, the distances between different destinations can be long and transport is sometimes slow. We generally recommend taking a domestic flight to reach the Petén (Flores, Tikal…). A Tierra Latina itinerary can also include varied off-the-beaten-track activities: cultural workshops with local communities, hiking, exploring colourful markets, and much more.

What Budget Do You Need for Guatemala?

Your Guatemala budget varies according to several factors: the length of your stay, your travel style, the time of year and the activities you wish to do. Here are general cost estimates for a typical 1–2 week trip:

6. Return flight from Europe: €800–1,200 (or more during peak periods such as Christmas or summer)
7. Accommodation: €20–150 per night depending on the standard, from a simple hostel to a luxury hotel with spa and pool
8. Food: prices vary considerably by type of establishment – around €3 for street food, €3–10 in a local restaurant, and €15–30 in an upmarket restaurant
9. Local transport:

• Chicken buses – these colourful, popular local buses are very cheap: €1–5 for short distances
• Taxis or Uber – fares vary by city: a short trip costs around €3–10
• Tourist shuttles – for longer journeys between main towns: approximately €10–30
• Domestic flight – allow €100–150 return between Guatemala City and Flores

10. Activities and entry fees: prices vary by excursion type and format. For example, entry to Tikal costs €20–25, but a visit with an expert guide is strongly recommended

In summary, for a 2-week Guatemala trip, budget €1,500 to €2,500 or more, depending on your comfort level. Note: the high season from December to April can push costs up significantly.

Health and Vaccines in Guatemala

Source: France Diplomatie.

Health Risks in Guatemala

Anti-malarial treatment may be advisable for stays of several days in the tropical forest and/or in the Flores and Tikal region, particularly during the rainy season. If in any doubt, consult your doctor.

Regarding altitude: people with heart or blood pressure conditions are advised to consult their doctor before travel. Note that altitude in the highlands ranges from 1,500 to 3,500 metres above sea level.

Tap water is generally not safe to drink unless your hotel specifies otherwise (some use water filters). In the street, only drink sealed bottled water (agua pura).

If possible, avoid raw vegetables (with the exception of avocado, tomato and cucumber) – particularly lettuce – and pork (cerdo or marrano), which can carry health risks.

Which Vaccines Are Required for Guatemala?

No vaccinations are mandatory to enter Guatemala. However, you should ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Typhoid fever, hepatitis A and rabies vaccinations are strongly recommended.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only for travellers arriving from countries where yellow fever transmission is a risk (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and French Guiana). This vaccination must be administered at least 10 days before entry into Guatemala.

If in any doubt, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.

Safety: Is Guatemala a Dangerous Country?

Like all Latin American countries – and particularly in major cities – Guatemala requires a minimum of common-sense precautions: stay informed about the security situation before travelling, keep a close eye on your belongings, exercise caution, avoid travelling alone and avoid moving around at night. At most tourist sites, areas are safe and monitored by the tourist police, Proatur.

As in most countries, tourists can occasionally fall victim to theft. Markets, where pickpockets sometimes operate, are the favoured spots for bag snatching. To protect yourself: leave valuable jewellery at home, and keep valuables (cash, passport, identity documents) in locked luggage at your hotel. Use hotel safes whenever available.

Documents You Need for Guatemala

Do You Need a Visa for Guatemala?

For EU citizens : your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your return date. You will also be required to pay airport taxes at the time of ticket purchase and on arrival. For stays of less than 3 months, no advance visa application is needed. For longer stays, you must apply for residency authorisation from the local authorities.

Travel Insurance for Guatemala

All Tierra Latina trips include repatriation insurance for every traveller. However, we also recommend taking out a comprehensive multi-risk insurance policy to cover all eventualities during your stay in Guatemala.

Packing Your Suitcase for Guatemala

• Light cotton clothing, a jumper and a light jacket for cool evenings in the highlands
• A lightweight waterproof jacket – even outside the rainy season, brief tropical showers are always possible
• Shoes with non-slip soles, or ankle boots recommended for forest sites (Tikal, Yaxhá)
• A cap or hat

For stays of several days in the tropical forest and/or the Flores–Tikal region, it is recommended to pack (particularly for evenings) a long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt and lightweight canvas trousers to protect against mosquitoes.

Culture: Films and Books Before You Go to Guatemala

Documentaries and Films to Watch Before Travelling to Guatemala

• Ixcanul by Jayro Bustamante (2015): a powerful film set in a Maya Kaqchikel community on the slopes of a volcano
• Guatemala: Guardians of the Maya Forest – Arte (2024)
• Guatemala: Maya Lands – Échappées Belles, France TV (2017)

Books to Read Before Travelling to Guatemala

• I, Rigoberta Menchú by Elizabeth Burgos: the testimony of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, an indispensable window into Maya indigenous life and Guatemala’s painful recent history
• Guatemala: Journey into Maya Lands by Frédéric Soreau: a photographic and literary journey through the country
• Legends of Guatemala by Miguel Ángel Asturias: a collection of stories rooted in Maya mythology by Guatemala’s Nobel Prize winner in Literature

On the Ground: Transport, Money and Food in Guatemala

Getting Around Guatemala

Chicken buses are a rather picturesque feature of Guatemalan life: these brightly coloured, customised old American school buses are the most typical and economical form of transport. Very affordable and convenient, they can however be uncomfortable and unreliable in terms of schedules.

Avoid street taxis and opt for app-based rideshare services such as Uber, available in major cities. With Tierra Latina, you can also rely on professional private local drivers throughout your trip.

To reach the Petén jungle (Tikal, Yaxhá, Isla de Flores…) and the Caribbean coast, we recommend flying between Guatemala City and Flores.

The charming town of Livingston on the Caribbean coast is accessible only by boat.

Money: How to Pay in Guatemala?

Quetzales can be withdrawn from ATMs using all major international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard…). The largest national network is the ‘5B’ bank ATMs, recognisable by their yellow and blue colours. Note that some 5B ATMs are located inside supermarkets or pharmacies: these are fully official bank machines and perfectly safe to use (not third-party ATMs).

Credit card payments are also accepted without issue in hotels, restaurants, shops, supermarkets and pharmacies.

Local craft purchases can often also be made in US dollars, which you can bring from home and exchange on arrival.

What to Eat in Guatemala?

Guatemalan cuisine is rich and varied, with a wealth of traditional dishes to discover. Specialities not to miss during your stay:

11. Pepián – considered one of the national dishes: a spiced meat stew (chicken, pork or beef) slow-cooked with vegetables in a sauce of tomatoes and toasted spices, usually served with rice and tortillas
12. Kak’ik – a traditional turkey soup with tomatoes, chillies and spices; an iconic Guatemalan dish often served on special occasions
13. Tamales – maize dough stuffed with meat or vegetables, wrapped in corn or banana leaves and steamed
14. Chuchitos – similar to tamales: corn dough filled with meat (chicken, pork or beef), wrapped in corn husks and served with a tomato sauce
15. Enchiladas – tortillas topped with minced meat, cheese and vegetables, covered in tomato sauce. The Guatemalan version is distinctive for its vivid colour, achieved by the addition of beetroot