ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW • POPULATION (2025 EST.): 18,687,881 • CAPITAL: Guatemala City • MAIN CITIES: Quetzaltenango, Escuintla, Cobán • VISA: Passport must be valid at time of entry and contain two blank pages; no visa required for stays of up to 90 days, but an electronic immigration and customs declaration form should be completed prior to check-in • HEALTH: Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies recommended plus medication to prevent malaria for certain areas. Travelers should protect themselves from New World screwworm myiasis. Immunization against yellow fever
required for some • CURRENCY: Quetzal (GTQ). Major credit cards are accepted in cities; carrying local currency is essential • TIPPING: 10% in restaurants; negotiate taxi fares before the journey, round up on arrival; for tour guides, $10-20 pp., per day; for dive guides, $5-10 per tank • TIME: GMT-6 • ELECTRICITY: 120 volts; no adapter required • DRIVING: On the right. US driver’s license accepted • PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (2026): Jan 1; Apr 2-4; May 1, 10; Jun 29; Sep 15; Oct 20; Nov 1; Dec 24-25, 31 • LANGUAGE: Spanish and 22 Maya languages • RELIGION: Christian; Indigenous • DIAL CODE: +502
GETTING THERE • MAJOR GATEWAYS: La Aurora (GUA) • TYPICAL FLYING TIME: 5h from NY; 4.5h from LA; 3h from Miami • DEPARTURE TAX: (By sea) $10 is usually collected at the port
SAFETY & SECURITY Travelers are advised to reconsider travel. Check travel.state.gov
Peppers at the Sunday market in Chichicastenango
Lago Peten Itza Flores Sayaxche MEXICO GUA TEMALA Lago de Izabal Quetzaltenango Lago de Atitlan Mazatenango Escuintla San Jose PACIFIC OCEAN 334 | ASTA | Worldwide Destination Guide 2026/27 HONDURAS BELIZE