Central America · UN member
Guatemala: Travel Guide & Requirements
Republic of Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America with its capital in Guatemala City. It has a population of 18.7 million (#69 in the world) and covers 108,889 km². The official language is Spanish. The currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).
Where is Guatemala? Map of Guatemala
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize.
- Region
- Central America
- Coordinates
- 15.5° N, 90.25° W
- Neighbours
- 4 — see list
- Coastline
- 400 km
- Guatemala
- Neighbours
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of Guatemala showing Guatemala City (capital) and the largest cities: Cobán, Quetzaltenango, Jalapa, Escuintla, Chichicastenango, Chiquimula, Puerto Barrios and Malacatán.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Guatemala
- Passport
The UK Foreign Office says your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 86 need no visa, 112 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Guatemala entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
IGM lists a return air ticket, or other transport that guarantees your departure from the country, among the requirements for entering Guatemala, along with a hotel booking or the name of a contact in the country.
- Proof of funds
IGM's entry requirements say the migration officer may ask you to prove your economic solvency when they consider it appropriate.
- Travel insurance
No official requirement.
- Vaccinations
WHO lists Guatemala as requiring proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries it determines to be at risk of yellow fever transmission, including travellers who transited…
- Arrival card
The tax and customs authority (SAT) portal for the Regional Sworn Traveller Declaration says every traveller or head of family entering or leaving the country must declare, and asks for the email address where you will …
- Customs allowance
Guatemala's Law against Money Laundering or Other Assets says anyone carrying more than USD 10,000, or the equivalent in national currency, in cash or documents into or out of the country must report it at the port of e…
- Travel advice
High risk — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to Guatemala
- Safety: Travel to Guatemala carries a high risk: the US State Department rates Guatemala Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), and the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
- Best time to go: December to February — when daytime highs in Guatemala City are around 24–28°C.
- Money: the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ) — 1 US dollar is about 7.6394 GTQ.
- Plugs: type A and B, 120 V, 60 Hz — low-voltage country: devices made only for 220–240 V need a voltage converter. Phone and laptop chargers (100–240 V) only need a plug adapter.
- Emergency numbers: Police 110, Ambulance 122, Fire 122 / 123 / 1554.
- Language: Spanish is official.
- Driving: on the right — speed limits are 60 km/h in built-up areas, 60 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on motorways.
- Time zone: UTC-6 in Guatemala City.
- Capital: Guatemala City. About 18.7 million people live in Guatemala.
- Outdoors: 24 national parks.
Key facts
Guatemala at a glance
Languages spoken: Spanish (official) 69.9%, Maya languages 29.7% (Q'eqchi' 8.3%, K'iche 7.8%, Mam 4.4%, Kaqchikel 3%, Q'anjob'al 1.2%, Poqomchi' 1%, other 4%), other 0.4% (includes Xinca and Garifuna) (2018 est.)
Geography & history
About Guatemala
The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the internal conflict.
Location
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
Climate
tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain
two east-west trending mountain chains divide the country into three regions: the mountainous highlands, the Pacific coast south of mountains, and the vast northern Peten lowlands
Highest point
Volcan Tajumulco (highest point in Central America) 4,220 m
Natural resources
petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
Natural hazards
numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms volcanism: significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (3,772 m) has been deemed a Dec…
National symbols
quetzal (bird)
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Guatemala
The default speed limits in Guatemala are 60 km/h in built-up areas, 60 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on motorways. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 6060 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and citiesWHO data (2017)
- 6060 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roadsWith a trailer: 50 km/h
- 100100 km/hMotorwaysMotorways / freewaysWith a trailer: 80 km/h
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1949 Geneva, 1926 ParisCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the rightOvertake on the left
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsNo national child-restraint law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)12.6 per 100,000 peopleClose to the world median (12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0) and WHO. Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Guatemala safe to visit?
Travel to Guatemala carries a high risk: the US State Department rates Guatemala Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), and the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: Removal of information about Fuego volcanic activity ('Warnings and insurance' page).
Updated 13 Aug 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Guatemala
The best time to visit Guatemala is December to February, when daytime highs in Guatemala City are around 24–28°C. March and November are also a good time to go. April is the warmest month (30°C by day), January the coldest (13°C at night), and September the wettest with about 243 mm of rain.
- Jan26°C13°C
- Feb28°C14°C
- Mar30°C15°C
- Apr30°C17°C
- May28°C18°C
- Jun25°C18°C
- Jul26°C17°C
- Aug25°C17°C
- Sep25°C17°C
- Oct24°C16°C
- Nov24°C15°C
- Dec24°C13°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Guatemala
Plugs & sockets
120 V, 60 Hz · Low-voltage country: devices made only for 220–240 V need a voltage converter. Phone and laptop chargers (100–240 V) only need a plug adapter.
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
National parks
24 national parks in Guatemala
- 6,702 km² protected
- oldest from 1955
Largest: Laguna del Tigre National Park · Sierra del Lacandón · Tikal National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Guatemalan quetzal exchange rates today
Guatemala uses the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q). One US dollar buys 7.6394 GTQ; over the last 30 days the GTQ has lost 0.1% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in GTQ
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Guatemala ranks
How Guatemala compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Guatemala
63 airports and airfields — 1 large, 6 medium and 54 small, plus 2 heliports. 6 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
Neighbouring countries
Guatemala borders 4 countries along 1,667 km of land borders. Coastline: 400 km.
Military
Guatemalan armed forces
Guatemala ranks #102 of 145 in the Global Firepower military strength ranking, with a defence budget of $633 million (2025).
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Guatemala City (3.1 million)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Export partners
USA 33%, El Salvador 11%, Honduras 9%, Nicaragua 6%, Mexico 4% (2023)
Top exports
garments, bananas, coffee, palm oil, raw sugar (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Guatemala
Next public holiday
All Saints' Day — Sunday, 1 November 2026. Then Christmas Eve (24 Dec).
Guatemalan passport
Ranked #83: 79 countries visa-free, 33 with visa on arrival, 5 with an eTA and 41 with an eVisa.
Guatemalan passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Guatemala's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Guatemala
Dial +502 before the local number. Internet domain .gt.
Climate footprint
19.9 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 1.08 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Guatemala: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Guatemala
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Frequently asked questions about Guatemala
What do I need to travel to Guatemala?
How long must my passport be valid for Guatemala?
Where is Guatemala?
What is Guatemala known for?
What is the capital of Guatemala?
What language is spoken in Guatemala?
What currency does Guatemala use?
What is the calling code of Guatemala?
Which countries border Guatemala?
How strong is the Guatemalan passport?
What is the speed limit in Guatemala?
Is Guatemala safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Guatemala?
What plug type does Guatemala use?
How many airports does Guatemala have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.