Toll Free (USA & Canada) +1 866 978 2997
CAPITAL
Guatemala City
LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish.
LOCAL TIME
Central Time Zone: UTC-06:00
ELECTRICITY
110volt, 60 cycle, same as the US. Plugs are typically the 2pronged flat type so US travelers will not typically need a converter or adaptor. Outlets rarely have 3 holes so if your device has a third prong, bring an adaptor.
PASSPORT & VISA
A valid passport is required. Passport holders from the EU, US and Canada do not require a visa for Guatemala. Visa requirements can and do change frequently and without notice so please ensure you check the current visa advice with your local embassy or consulate before travelling to Guatemala. Please ensure that your passport is valid for an additional six months from the date of entry in to Guatemala.
All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding Visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is sole responsibility of the traveler.
LOCAL CURRENCY
The official currency is the Quetzal (Q)/ Q1.00= 100 cents.
XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.
MONEY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARD & ATM
In Guatemala, a variety of credit cards are accepted, except for the credit card Maestro. Traveler’s checks are also accepted. In the International Airport La Aurora an exchange house can be found.
Banking hours:
Mon-Fri: 09:00 – 16:00
Sat: 09:00 – 12:00
Sun & Holidays: Closed
Telephone: Guatemala's international calling code is 502. There are no area codes. Phone numbers all have eight digits. The phone system it works OK. Tourists can call abroad from call centers, where you pay by the minute.
Payphones: It is also easy to use coins to use at public pay phones. Typically, the cost is around 8 quetzals for a 10 min call to North America.
Internet: Internet access is widely available. Even most of the more remote areas have some type of internet access available. Many larger areas also have WiFi. All of the Camperos chicken/pizza restaurants (which are numerous) offer free WiFi, as well as many other restaurants and cafes. Some hotels may also offer computer banks with internet access. Just ask and you eventually will find some sort of free access.
Post: The post system is quite reliable and cheap, although slow, your post cards usually get through. A stamp for Europe is Q5. There are; however, many other alternative companies to the federal mail system that are reliable, though frequently somewhat pricey.
Post office hours:
Mon-Fri: 08:30 – 17:00
Weekends: 08:30 – 13:00
FOOD
Guatemala food and drink is primarily influenced by the country's Mayan and Spanish cultures. However, it also received influences from African and Caribbean cultures. Nowadays, food is a mixture of tons of different international influences such as Chinese, American, and the vegetarian movement.
Things to know:
Lunch is often eaten in acomedor(diner-style restaurant), which offer acomida corridaormenúejecútivo– a cheap, set-meal.
Specialties:
Guatemala Desserts:
MEALS
Simple snack: $5 USD
Low-range restaurants: $6 USD
Mid-range restaurants: $25 USD
Beverages- Most major brands of soft drinks are available, as are fresh shakes(licuados)made with papaya, pineapple, mango, or my personal favorite, guanabana. Ask for them in milk(en leche)or water(en agua pura),andsin hielo(without ice) if you want to be extra sure you're not drinking tap water.
Water- Do not drink the water in Guatemala, even in the cities, as disease-causing organisms are endemic. Ask for bottled drinking water (agua puraoragua purificada) at your hotel, and whenever you can, pick up a bottle of spring or purified water (available in most markets) to have handy. You would also do well to brush your teeth with purified water.
Beer, Wine & Liquor- The Cervecería Centroamericana's Gallo (Spanish for rooster) is the national beer of Guatemala. More than a mediocre lager, Gallo is a cultural force. Gallo T-shirts and other merchandise are everywhere. When Pope John Paul II came to Guatemala in 2002 to proclaim the first Central American saint, Gallo helped sponsor his visit. Other beers include Dorada and Moza, both produced from the same brewery as Gallo.
The region is not known for wine production, but some of the best rum in the world is distilled in Guatemala. Try the 23-year-old Ron Zacapa Centenario or the 12-year-old Zaya Gran Reserva, which have both won numerous awards and claim to be the best rum ever made.
Regional drinks:
Most of the coffee is locally grown and is typically served with milk and sugar. Among the many fruit drinks, licuadosis the most common, which is essentially a fruit smoothie.
TIPPING
Tips or services charges are only occasionally added to the bill in Guatemala restaurants. In general, tip around 10%. You should also tip Guatemala tour guides and operators, around 10% of the cost of the tour. Tip hotel housekeepers around $1 per day of your stay, and porters/bellhops around fifty cents to $1 per suitcase.
Social conventions: Locals are often suspicious of foreigners taking photographs, particularly of young children. Before approaching children for photos, or even just to talk to them, you should check with an an adult that this is acceptable. However, if you are in any doubt, refrain from doing so. You may be asked to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults.
Don't engage in loud and aggressive behaviour. Guatemalans tend to be polite and on the formal side. Address people you don't know in a formal manner (Señor, Señora, Usted), and greet people in the following way: day – “buenos dias" "feliz dia"; night – “feliz noche" "buenas noches".
CLOTHING
Guatemala’s weather is eternally comfortable: neither too hot nor too cold. Its seasons tend to be divided into the dry season and the wet season, although the temperature, which averages 22°C (72°F) across the country, varies more according to altitude than by season.
Modest, feminine clothing is a must when visiting Guatemala. Skirts or dresses that fall below the knee are a common choice for business and pleasure. Khaki pants or dress slacks can also be worn in some areas, though shorts are typically discouraged and often identify a woman as a tourist. Blouses and shirts should be modest and not revealing.
When traveling to Guatemala during the rainy season, May through October, bring along rain gear, such as a poncho, umbrella and water-resistant shoes.
During the dry season, November through April, include a lightweight jacket and at least one warm pair of pants for cooler evenings and trips to the highlands.
WEATHER & CLIMATE
Guatemala City: (approx)
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEPT | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
| LOW TEMP (CEL/FAH) | 12/54 | 13/55 | 13/55 | 15/59 | 16/61 | 16/61 | 16/61 | 16/61 | 16/61 | 15/59 | 13/55 | 13/55 |
| HIGH TEMP (CEL/FAH) | 22/72 | 23/73 | 24/75 | 26/79 | 25/77 | 23/73 | 23/73 | 24/75 | 23/73 | 22/72 | 22/72 | 22/72 |
| RAINFALL (mm) | 8 | 3 | 13 | 30 | 152 | 274 | 203 | 198 | 231 | 173 | 23 | 8 |
HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. Health plans only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased.
Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable. High risk activities such as skydiving, parachuting, and bungee jumping are also not covered by insurance. Understand the complete insurance coverage you have before travelling out of the country.
