guatemala

Guatemala Travel Guide

Trek Zone
hola
(o-la • Spanish)
Say hello
69°F
Thursday
71°F
Friday

Tourist season

Are December and January good months to visit Guatemala?

12

December

High
season

1

January

High
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Guatemala for tourism.

Visa not required

A visa is not required.

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 32 to 42 USD

Tourist's budget
from 88 to 116 USD

Did you know?

The population of Guatemala is around 17.92 mil., which puts the country in 66. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Guatemala City (GT) and Washington D.C. (US) is 1868 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Guatemala City click here

Guatemala City
Guatemala City
San Juan Sacatepéquez
Quetzaltenango
Mixco
Villa Nueva
Guatemala
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
1868
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Guatemala to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Guatemala on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

2

Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution (plus additional regional warnings).

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

25 December 2024• Christmas Day

1 January 2025• New Year's Day

Currency

Quetzal (GTQ) - rate compared to selected currencies

1 GTQ
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.12366
8.0866
GBP
0.10201
9.80331
USD
0.12979
7.70501
Update: 11 Dec 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Guatemala

Map
Distance matrix
MilesGuatemala CityMaya Biosphere ReserveAntigua GuatemalaQuetzaltenangoFlores, PeténSan Pedro SacatepéquezChichicastenangoCobán
Guatemala City-18715691668814960
Maya Biosphere Reserve187-18917569172185130
Antigua Guatemala15189-561737516467
Quetzaltenango6917556-1801920488
Flores, Petén16669173180-185119106
San Pedro Sacatepéquez881727519185-218100
Chichicastenango149185164204119218-120
Cobán601306788106100120-

Best Ways to Experience Guatemala

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 32 to 42 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 88 to 116 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Guatemala via the Prices link

Currency

More

Quetzal (GTQ)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • GTQ
  • USD
GTQ
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • GTQ
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 11 December 2024
QuetzalQuetzalQuetzalQuetzal

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Guatemala.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Guatemala

Niskie

Areas with malaria

Rural areas only at altitudes <1500 m (4921 ft). None in Antigua, Guatemala City, or Lake Atitlán

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagGuatemala for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa not required

A visa is not required.

  • Allowed stay: 90 days
  • Includes Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador
  • An exit tax must be paid when departing by air.

Electricity

120V (60 Hz)

In Guatemala the standard voltage is 120V and the frequency is 60 Hz. Type A, B sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket AType A
socket BType B

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

66 / 231
Ranking
17 915 568
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%

Area

108 / 230
Ranking
42 thous. mi²
It is approximately 1% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

128 / 196
Ranking
72.6
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 70.6women 74.8

Median age

35 / 157
Ranking
23.2
Average age of population expressed in years.men 22.6women 23.8

Population growth

56 / 172
Ranking
1.62%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

82 / 131
Ranking
80.8%
Ability to read, write and count.men 85.3%women 76.7%

GDP

123 / 194
Ranking
8 850 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

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