Practical information Guatemala

French, Belgian and Swiss nationals do not need a visa for a tourist stay of less than 90 days. An entry stamp is affixed free of charge at La Aurora international airport in Guatemala City, or at the land border crossing if you are arriving from Mexico or Belize. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned return date. Guatemala is part of the CA-4 agreement with Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador: the 90 days are cumulative across these four countries. An extension is possible at the immigration office in Guatemala City for an additional 90 days, for approximately 25 euros.

No vaccines are mandatory upon entry, except if you arrive from a yellow fever risk country, in which case the certificate is required. We recommend being up to date with DTP, and considering hepatitis A and typhoid, which are common in Central America. Hepatitis B and rabies can be discussed for long stays or rural trips. Malaria exists at low altitude in Petén and on the Caribbean coast, especially during the rainy season: preventive treatment should be discussed with your doctor based on your itinerary. Dengue also circulates in the region, so protection against mosquitoes is recommended. A consultation at a travel medicine center 4 to 6 weeks before departure remains the best option.

Count 80 to 130 euros per day and per person excluding international flights for an organized tour with mid-range accommodation, private driver and site entrance fees. Luxury options with boutique hotels in Antigua and Lake Atitlán range from 180–250 euros. As concrete examples: a meal at a local restaurant costs 5 to 8 euros, a specialty coffee 2 euros, entry to Tikal 22 euros, a night in a mid-range hotel 50 to 80 euros for a double room. A domestic flight Guatemala City–Flores runs around 130 euros one way. Tipping is customary, approximately 10% at restaurants and 5 dollars per day for a guide.

The dry season, from November to April, offers the best overall conditions: clear skies, pleasant temperatures on the highlands, and passable roads. December and January are the busiest and coolest months at altitude—bring a fleece for nights in Antigua or Lake Atitlán. March and April are hot but still dry. The green season, from May to October, sees afternoon showers but offers much more photogenic landscapes, particularly on the highlands and at Semuc Champey. September is the wettest month and best avoided. For Petén, with its warm and humid climate year-round, the dry season remains the most comfortable.

On our trips, we prioritize private minivans with driver, safer and much faster than local collective buses known as chicken buses. Distances look short on the map but mountain roads slow things down: allow 3 hours between Antigua and Panajachel, 6 to 7 hours between Lake Atitlán and Cobán. The domestic flight to Flores from Guatemala City saves a full day to reach Tikal, and we systematically recommend it. On Lake Atitlán, travel between villages is by collective or private lancha. For Livingston, access is only by river from Rio Dulce or Puerto Barrios. Car rental is possible but not recommended outside urban areas.

Guatemala requires standard Latin America precautions, without paranoia. The tourist itineraries we operate—Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango, Tikal, Semuc Champey, Rio Dulce—pose very few problems. Certain areas of Guatemala City are best avoided, particularly some zonas in the evening, but the airport-to-hotel journey is smooth with an organized transfer. Avoid displaying valuables, withdraw money from ATMs during the day and in busy areas, and don't travel alone at night in the capital. The presence of a local driver-guide throughout your circuit resolves most practical concerns. Our team in Guatemala City remains available 24/7 during your trip.