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Central America

GuatemalaTravel guide

Explore Guatemala visa rulesCommon scams in Guatemala

Guatemala blends Maya and Spanish cultures. It has ancient ruins, volcanoes, lakes and dense jungle, as well as risks from crime, earthquakes, mudslides and hurricanes.

Why go

  1. Explore Maya ruins at Tikal and El Mirador.

  2. Visit Antigua, a historic town surrounded by volcanoes.

  3. See Lake Atitlán and its lakeside Maya villages.

  4. Discover the turquoise pools at Semuc Champey.

Getting there

By air

  • La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City is the main airport. Flights arrive from Central America, the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Spain.
  • Flores airport (FRS), in Petén, receives flights from Guatemala City, Belize and Mexico.
  • TAG offers flights from Cancun and Tulum to Guatemala City.

By land

  • The Pan-American Highway connects Guatemala with Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador. Road access from Belize is more difficult.
  • International buses connect Guatemala with nearby countries. They often leave early in the morning and make few stops.
  • Express buses run from Belize City to Flores, with connections to Guatemala City.

By sea

  • Ferries connect Puerto Barrios and Livingston with Punta Gorda in Belize.

Getting around

  • Tourist shuttles

    Shuttles link popular visitor destinations and are usually quicker and more comfortable than local buses. Buy tickets at travel agencies in the tourist towns they serve. Pick-up may be at an office or arranged at your hotel or hostel. Shuttles cost about 5 to 15 times as much as buses.

  • First-class buses

    Often called pullman buses, these usually follow direct routes with few stops. They commonly have reserved seats and toilets, though vehicle quality varies. They run limited schedules and often leave from company offices or terminals.

  • Local buses

    Often called chicken buses, these are cheap and reach many places. They can be crowded, slow and require several changes. A helper collects fares after departure; ask fellow passengers what your journey should cost. Public buses are regularly targeted by armed robbers. The source advises visitors to avoid them.

  • Taxis and city transport

    Ask your hotel to arrange trusted transport. Radio-dispatched Taxi Amarillo and Uber are other options mentioned in the source. Do not hail taxis on the street because of kidnapping and robbery risks.

What to see and do

  • Tikal

    Well-preserved Maya ruins surrounded by dense jungle and howler monkeys.

  • El Mirador

    A major Maya site described as a possible cradle of Maya civilisation.

  • Antigua Guatemala

    A historic town surrounded by volcanoes and a common base for travellers.

  • Lake Atitlán

    A lake ringed by volcanoes, with Maya villages along its shores.

  • Flores

    A visitor-friendly island in Lake Petén Itzá and a base for reaching Tikal.

  • Semuc Champey

    Turquoise limestone pools near Lanquin, where a river passes underground.

Food and drink

  • Maize tortillas

    Corn tortillas served with most meals.

  • Frijoles negros

    Stewed black beans; beans and rice are also a typical breakfast.

  • Tamales

    Steamed corn meal with different fillings, wrapped in banana leaves.

  • Caldos

    Beef broths.

  • Rice and beans

    Garifuna food found in Puerto Barrios.

  • Tapado, ceviche and fish dishes

    Fish-based choices listed among typical foods.

Money

Guatemalan quetzal (Q or GTQ)

  • United States dollars are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas, and can be exchanged in most small towns.
  • Cash machines are available in major towns, but some tourist places have no cash machine or money exchange.
  • Other foreign currencies can be difficult to exchange, though euros are becoming more common.
  • Do not rely on traveller's cheques; most are not accepted.

Typical costs

  • Basic hotels: about US$10–15 a night.
  • Highly rated hostels: about US$6–15 a night, as listed for March 2022.
  • High-quality hotels in main tourist areas: about US$200 a night.
  • Local bus fares are often around Q10 per hour, but vary by journey.
  • A high-end handmade Maya blouse, called a huipil, can cost Q1,000.

Language

  • Spanish is the official language and is widely spoken in main tourist destinations.
  • More than 21 Indigenous languages are spoken, especially in rural areas.
  • K'iche', Q'eqchi' and Kaqchikel are among the most widely spoken Indigenous languages.
  • Some remote villages mainly use a Maya language, with limited Spanish.
Buenos días
Good morning; a daytime greeting.
Buenas noches
Good evening or good night.
Señor / Señora
Formal ways to address a man or woman.
Usted
The formal form of 'you'; suitable when speaking to strangers.

Staying safe

  • Keep phones, cameras, laptops and valuables out of sight. Phone theft is especially common.
  • Avoid travelling at night, when the risk of crime increases.
  • If threatened by a robber, cooperate and hand over your possessions. Resisting can be fatal.
  • Avoid public buses because armed robberies are common.
3 common scams in Guatemala, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Address strangers formally with Señor, Señora or Usted.
  • Greet people politely, especially in rural and suburban areas.
  • If a host family or teacher uses tú or vos with you, you may use the same form with them.

Don't

  • Avoid using the informal tú or vos with people you do not know; it can seem rude.
  • Do not expect to bargain in chain shops, where prices are fixed.

Staying healthy

  • Drink only purified water.
  • The source reports malaria risk in rural areas below 1,500 metres, with no risk in Antigua or Lake Atitlán. It recommends obtaining preventive malaria medicine before visiting affected areas.
  • Dengue fever occurs throughout Guatemala.
  • Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B are recommended.

Where to stay

  • Basic hotels can be found in towns and villages for about US$10–15 a night.
  • Main tourist areas also have high-quality hotels costing about US$200 a night.
  • Hostels with shared rooms are available in more than 15 towns and villages. Highly rated options were listed at about US$6–15 a night in March 2022.
  • Lake Atitlán has many backpacker hostels, and the hills around Lanquin have lodges.

Central America-4 (CA-4)

One visa, 4 countries

Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua share one entry: a visa or entry stamp for one covers all four. With it, a trip to Guatemala can also take in:

  • 90 days in total across the four
  • One entry stamp

Whether you need the visa at all depends on your passport. Check the entry rules for Guatemala before you plan the route.

Outdoor adventures in Guatemala

Guatemala offers volcano hikes, jungle treks, lake activities and black sand beaches. Antigua, Flores and Panajachel are useful starting points for outdoor trips. The highlands have a rainy season from May to October, while lowland areas are hot and can have afternoon thunderstorms.

  • Volcán Pacaya

    HikeCentral Highlandsnear Antigua Guatemala

    Moderate About 1.5 hours up and 45 minutes down

    Book a trip through a travel agent in Antigua. Trips include a return shuttle. Independent visitors must also hire a guide.

    • Permit: Park entry and a guide are required.
    • Cost: Listed prices: Q60–75 for a shuttle trip, plus Q50 park entry for foreigners. Independently hired guides cost Q200 per group of up to 12. Horses cost Q100 each way.
    • Pacaya is an active volcano. Visitors cannot reach the crater.
    • The final section crosses very loose lava rocks and can be strenuous.

  • Tikal jungle walks

    WildlifeNorthern Lowlandsnear Flores

    Early morning, before the heat builds from around 10:00

    Travel agencies in Flores book return shuttles with or without a guide. The journey takes about 1.5 hours each way.

    • Permit: An entrance ticket is required.
    • Cost: December 2024 listing: Q80 for a return shuttle without a guide or Q100 with a guide. Entry is separate: Q150 regular entry or Q250 for sunrise.
    • The site can get very hot from around 10:00.

  • El Mirador jungle trek

    TrekNorthern Lowlands, near the Mexican bordernear Flores

    Hard 5 days on the described return route, or a 6-day alternative

    Arrange a tour in Flores with transport to Carmelita. Tours require at least two people. The longer route returns through Nakbe and Florida.

    • Cost: October 2019 listing: Q1,300–1,600, depending on trip length and season. Includes transport, food, water, tents, luggage mules, two guides and a cook.
    • Expect long walks through dense jungle: 17 km on day one and 23 km on day two.
    • There is no mobile phone coverage or electricity.

  • Semuc Champey swimming

    More to doAlta Verapaznear Coban

    Travel to Lanquin to visit the nearby pools. Lodges are available in the surrounding hills.

  • Lake Atitlán kayaking

    KayakingWestern Highlandsnear Panajachel

    Hourly rentals, day rentals or 2–4-day lake tours

    Rent from lakeside resorts or the public beach in front of Hotel Del Lago in Panajachel. Los Elementos Adventure Center offers rentals and guided trips.

    • Cost: Listed prices: around Q100–200 per day for a two-person kayak. A separate Q50 rental is listed at La Iguana Perdida, without a stated duration.

  • Lake Atitlán altitude diving

    Scuba divingWestern Highlandsnear Santa Cruz La Laguna

    Four days for the open-water course

    Arrange dives or training with ATI Divers in Santa Cruz La Laguna, on the same site as La Iguana Perdida.

    • Cost: Listed prices: US$220 for the open-water course, US$200 for the advanced course, US$80 for the altitude course, and US$30/50 for fun dives.
    • This is freshwater diving at high altitude. ATI Divers offers a course specifically for diving at altitude.

  • Monterrico black sand beaches

    BeachePacific Lowlandsnear Monterrico

    Visit Monterrico on the Pacific coast for its volcanic black sand beaches.

  • Volcán Agua

    HikeCentral Highlandsnear Antigua Guatemala

    Ask the Inguat tourist office for security advice. Choose a tour with trusted armed security.

    • Robberies are frequent on this volcano.
    • Some unaccompanied visitors have been kidnapped.

  • Cerro de la Cruz

    HikeCentral Highlandsnear Antigua Guatemala

    Easy 10–20 minutes to reach the base from Antigua, then about 10 minutes uphill During opening hours, 07:00–18:00

    Walk to the hill at the north end of Antigua. A tuk-tuk can take you to the top if you prefer to walk down.

    • Cost: Free
    • Robberies happened here in the past. Police are now on the path during opening hours.
    • If concerned about safety or fitness, take a tuk-tuk up and walk down with others.

  • Reserva Natural Atitlán

    WildlifeWestern Highlandsnear Panajachel

    Visit the nature reserve near Panajachel. Walk its hanging bridges to the waterfall or private beach, or take the guided zip-line route.

    • Permit: An admission ticket is required.
    • Cost: Listed prices: Q55 admission, or Q220 for eight zip lines including admission.
    • The zip-line activity uses safety equipment and is accompanied by two guides.

  • Lake Atitlán village and viewpoint circuit

    HikeWestern Highlandsnear Panajachel

    One day

    From Panajachel, take a small passenger boat to San Pedro and walk to San Juan and Mirador Kaqasiiwan. Return to the road, take a San Pablo-registered tuk-tuk to San Marcos, then a boat to Jaibalito. Walk east to Santa Cruz and return by boat to Panajachel.

  • Lake Atitlán village cycling

    CyclingWestern Highlandsnear Panajachel

    Rent a bicycle from Xocomil Tours in Panajachel to explore villages around the lake.

  • Lake Atitlán birdwatching and hot springs boat trips

    WildlifeWestern Highlandsnear Panajachel

    Arrange a private boat trip with Säq B'ey Tour Operator to reach remote parts of the lake, watch birds or visit geothermal hot springs.

  • Panajachel lakeside sunset

    BeacheWestern Highlandsnear Panajachel

    Sunset

    Go to the beach in Panajachel to watch the sunset over Lake Atitlán.

  • Rio Dulce outdoor exploration

    SailingCaribbean Coastnear Fronteras and El Relleno

    Use the Rio Dulce area around Fronteras and El Relleno as a base for sailing, jungle walks, river swimming and wildlife watching.

  • Finca Paraiso hot springs waterfall

    Hot springRio Dulce area

    Visit Finca Paraiso while staying in the Rio Dulce area.

  • Lake Izabal swimming at Castillo San Felipe de Lara

    More to doRio Dulce area

    Visit Castillo San Felipe de Lara in the Rio Dulce area and combine the visit with swimming in Lake Izabal.

  • Ak'tun Kan cave

    CavePeténnear Flores

    Walk about 30 minutes from the Flores causeway or take a taxi. Follow the main road through Santa Elena, turn left at its end and follow the cave signs. Entry includes a guide.

    • Cost: Listed prices: Q15 including a guide; Q20 for a taxi from Flores.

  • Lake Petén Itzá swimming and canoeing

    More to doPeténnear Flores

    Use either of the two public swimming piers on the west side of Flores island. Canoes are also available to rent in Flores.

    • The two designated swimming piers exclude boats.

  • Flores to San Jose lake boat trip

    WildlifePeténnear Flores

    About 40 minutes across the lake

    Hire a small covered boat in Flores to cross Lake Petén Itzá to San Jose.

  • Tayasal forest trails and viewpoint

    HikePeténnear Flores

    About 5 minutes from the lakeshore to the first pyramid

    Take a boat from Flores to the San Miguel peninsula. Ask the boat operator specifically for Tayasal and for help finding the main pyramids on the forest trails.

  • Ixpanpajul Natural Park forest activities

    More to doPeténnear Flores

    Arrange the park's pickup service from Flores or Santa Elena. The park is about a 15-minute ride from Flores.

  • Las Escobas hiking and swimming

    HikeCerro San Gil, Caribbean Coastnear Puerto Barrios

    Check recent rainfall and the weather report before visiting.

    Reach Las Escobas by road or on foot from outside Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla. Walk the jungle trail and visit the river's natural pools.

    • Watch your surroundings on the trail because snakes may be present.
    • The river water is very cold.

  • Volcán Agua coffee farm walk

    More to doCentral Highlandsnear Ciudad Vieja

    Three hours; departures at 09:00 and 13:00

    Book the Coffee Farm Tour, formerly As Green as It Gets, at least 24 hours ahead. Tours start and finish at Plaza de San Miguel Escobar in Ciudad Vieja.

    • Cost: July 2015 listing: Q200, including a guide, English translation and one pound of coffee.

Airports, metros and trains in Guatemala

Airports with scheduled flights

  • GUALa Aurora International AirportGuatemala CityMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
1.6 km

People and safety in Guatemala

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian95%
  • No religion4%
  • Folk religions<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex couples can form civil unions, but not marry.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #144 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

46% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 86 of 198 countries can visit Guatemala easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required86
  • Visa required112

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe39 of 46 countries
  • Americas23 of 34 countries
  • Oceania8 of 14 countries
  • Asia13 of 50 countries
  • Africa3 of 54 countries

Questions

What is the weather like?

Lowlands are hot and tropical, while mountain areas are cooler. The highland rainy season runs from May to October.

Can I buy transport tickets in person?

Yes. Travel agencies in tourist towns sell shuttle tickets, and first-class buses often operate from their own offices or terminals.

Can I use United States dollars?

Yes, they are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas. Some places have no cash machine or money exchange.

Will Spanish be useful?

Yes, Spanish is spoken by almost everyone in the main tourist destinations. In some remote villages, people mainly speak a Maya language.

Is the food very spicy?

Guatemalan food is generally less spicy than Mexican food. Chillies are usually served separately.

Can I drink the water?

The source advises drinking only purified water.

Are there cheap places to stay?

Basic hotels are listed at about US$10–15 a night. Shared-room hostels are also available in more than 15 towns and villages.

Which Maya ruins can I visit?

Tikal and El Mirador are major attractions. Flores is a base for bus trips to Tikal.

What should I do if someone tries to rob me?

Cooperate and give them what they demand. The source warns that tourists have been killed for resisting.

What electricity supply does Guatemala use?

The supply is 120 volts at 60 hertz, using NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 sockets.

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