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Travel Guide
Visiting Guatemala
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Exercise Caution
UK FCDO: State of Prevention Guatemalan authorities have announced that the ‘State of Siege’ ended on 16 February 2026. A ‘State of Prevention’ will be in place from 17 February 2026 for 15 days. Under this measure, the Government may deploy military support to certain services, disperse protests, restrict public or private gatherings, and impose limits on freedom of movement in specific circumstances. Follow the guidance of local authorities, remain alert to news reports, and limit late night travel whe
Updated 2026-02-17
Discover
Top Attractions in Guatemala
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Tikal National Park
Tikal was once one of the most powerful city-states of the ancient Maya world, reaching a population estimated at 90,000 at its height during the Classic period (200 to 900 AD). The national park covers 575 square kilometres of tropical jungle containing over 3,000 excavated structures, including towering temple-pyramids that emerge above the forest canopy to offer views across an unbroken sea of green. Tikal was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 under both cultural and natural criteria, and the surrounding biosphere reserve shelters jaguars, howler monkeys, and more than 300 bird species.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is a volcanic caldera lake in the western highlands, formed 84,000 years ago and ringed by three volcanoes and a chain of indigenous Maya villages, each with its own distinct Tz'utujil or Kaqchikel character. Sitting at 1,562 metres above sea level, the lake is considered the deepest in Central America at up to 340 metres, and travellers move between villages by public lancha (boat) to experience markets, weaving cooperatives, and lakeshore cafes. Panajachel is the main transport hub, while Santiago Atitlan and San Pedro La Laguna offer traditional culture and long-stay communities respectively.
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Airalo eSIM
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Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 122 or 123 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Guatamala see where to get vaccines and whether you have to
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police110
Ambulance128
Fire122
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Guatemala
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Guatemala page at Yoogo.
Guatemala's currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). US dollars are widely accepted at tourist-oriented hotels and larger restaurants, but smaller establishments, markets, and rural areas operate almost exclusively in cash Quetzales, so it is advisable to carry local currency. ATMs are available in major cities and tourist towns such as Antigua and Panajachel, though machines in smaller villages can be unreliable.
Safety conditions vary considerably by location. Major tourist destinations such as Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Flores, and Tikal are generally well-visited and have tourist police presence, while certain zones of Guatemala City and border areas carry higher risks. Petty theft is the most common concern in tourist areas, and checking your government's current travel advisory before and during your trip is advisable.
The most common options for travellers are tourist shuttle minibuses, which connect all major destinations with door-to-door service, and the colourfully repainted school buses known as chicken buses (camionetas), which are the cheapest way to travel between towns. Tuk-tuks serve short hops within towns, while lanchas (small boats) are the main way to move between villages on Lake Atitlan. Domestic flights link Guatemala City to Flores for those heading to Tikal.
The dry season from November to April is generally considered the most comfortable time to visit, with clear skies, warm days, and cooler evenings in the highland areas, making it ideal for visiting outdoor sites such as Tikal and hiking around Lake Atitlan. The wet season (May to October) brings afternoon rains, lush green landscapes, fewer tourists, and lower hotel rates, with mornings typically remaining dry. The Christmas and Semana Santa (Holy Week) periods are peak travel times with higher prices and larger crowds.
Spanish is the official language and is spoken across the country, understood by around 93 per cent of the population as a first or second language. Guatemala also recognises 21 Mayan languages, the most widely spoken of which are K'iche', Q'eqchi', Mam, and Kaqchikel, and these remain in everyday use in highland and rural indigenous communities. Basic Spanish phrases are helpful outside Antigua and other tourist hubs, where English is spoken at many hotels and tour operators.
Most travel health authorities recommend that visitors ensure routine vaccinations are current and consider additional vaccines for hepatitis A, typhoid, and hepatitis B before travelling. Travellers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission are required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Tap water is generally not safe to drink outside major hotels, so bottled or treated water is the standard precaution throughout the country.