Know before you go: A basic guide to Guatemala
Popular destinations
- Antigua: Universally considered one of the most charming colonial cities in Latin America, this former capital of Guatemala (before it was leveled in an earthquake) has a lot to offer. Surrounded by volcanoes, this popular destination combines beautiful architecture, great food, and close proximity to cultural and natural attractions.
- Lake Atitlán: A massive lake in the caldera of a volcano that erupted 84,000 years ago, Lago de Atitlán is surrounded by three volcanoes and several small pueblos, each with their own distinct personality. With easy boat access to each town, it's difficult to run out of things to do.
- Flores: This tiny, colonial island city is often used as a launching point to the Mayan ruins of Tikal.
- Quetzaltenango (Xela): The second largest city in Guatemala, Quetzaltenango offers plenty of affordable opportunities to learn Spanish or join a volunteer project. From here you can also climb the highest peak in Central America, Tajumulco, a volcano standing at nearly 14,000 feet.
- Lanquín: This little town is known for its caves and as a base for visiting the turquoise cascades of Semuc Champey.
When to go
High season is December through April, with virtually no rain. It's busiest around the holidays of Christmas, New Years, and Easter.
Low season is April through September. This is the rainy season, and temperatures are chilly in the highlands and muddy in the jungle.
Shoulder season is October through November. Moderate temperatures and less rain makes this an ideal time to explore the country while avoiding the influx of tourists.
Currency exchange rates & affordability
(as of February 2018)
Guatemalan quetzal
$1 USD = $7.4 quetzales
€1 = $9.1 quetzales
£1 = $10.3 quetzales
$1 CAD = $5.9 quetzales
$1 AUD = $5.8 quetzales
While Guatemala as a whole may be considered a budget travel country, tourist destinations are pricier. Coming from Southern Mexico into Guatemala was actually quite a price shock and our money didn't go nearly as far. However, the longer we were here, we managed to find budget options, especially on expenses like food. Guatemala has a highly stratified tourist economy: one for wealthy expats and another for backpackers. It's possible to find the deals, you just have to look for them.
Entry & exit requirements
US residents need a valid passport to enter Guatemala. There is no entrance, exit, or tourist fee for the country. Be aware that Guatemala is part of the CA-4 countries, along with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. When you enter one of these countries, you're granted a 90-day visa to split between all four.
Getting around Guatemala
As with most tourist infrastructure in Guatemala, you have two classes of long-distance travel options. For those looking for the convenience of door-to-door transportation and don't mind paying top dollar, private shuttles connect just about every tourist destination you could imagine. For those looking to save their quetzales and experience transit the way most Guatemalans do, hop on a chicken bus. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be smiling at both how much you saved and the wild experience.
Local transportation
Tuk-tuks will take you anywhere in town, and if you're on the water in a place like Lake Atitlán, you can get from one town to the next on a lancha for a few dollars.
Staying healthy
It is not safe to drink the water in Guatemala, but bottled water is available everywhere. Many hostels and guesthouses offer filtered water that is safe to drink. Make sure to thoroughly wash produce with purified water.
Mosquitos can transmit illnesses like dengue fever, malaria, Zika, and chikungunya. Discuss your travel plans with a doctor to see if you need to take anti-malarials or need any vaccines. Typhoid fever and Hepatitis A vaccines are usually recommended in addition to routine vaccines. Applying sunscreen, insect repellent, and staying hydrated are always good ideas.