Guatemala
Phone Code
+502
Capital
Guatemala City
Population
18 Million
Native Name
Guatemala
Region
Americas
Central America
Timezone
Central Standard Time (North America
UTC-06:00
On This Page
Guatemala is a Central American country whose landscape and culture both trace back to the same volcanic highland spine — Antigua's colonial ruins, Lake Atitlán's caldera, and the coffee regions all sit within it — layered with the most visible living Maya presence anywhere in the region, roughly 40% of the population indigenous, speaking 22 Maya languages alongside Spanish. Guatemala City is the capital; Tikal, deep in the northern Petén rainforest, is the country's defining archaeological site. Guatemala offers archaeology, adventure and authentic cultural experiences at affordable prices.
Visa Requirements for Guatemala
Guatemala offers visa-free entry to citizens of many countries including the United States, Canada, all EU member states, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. Guatemala is part of the CA-4 Border Control Agreement with Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, allowing visa-free movement between these four countries within the 90-day limit (the 90 days apply collectively across all four countries, not per country). Visitors from countries requiring visas must apply through Guatemalan consulates or embassies. Extensions beyond 90 days can be obtained through immigration offices in Guatemala. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (90 Days)
For tourism, business, conferences, or visiting friends/family for US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and many other nationalities.
CA-4 Agreement Free Movement
Allows travel between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua without additional immigration checks at borders.
Visa Required (Consular Application)
For nationalities not eligible for visa-free entry, requiring advance visa from Guatemalan consulate or embassy.
Visa Extension
For visitors wishing to extend stay beyond initial 90-day visa-free period.
Important Travel Information
Guatemala is a compact, mountainous country where the same volcanic chain that built the highlands also shaped its history: the Maya cities that once ruled the region, the earthquake-shattered colonial capital that replaced Guatemala City's predecessor, the caldera that became Lake Atitlán, and the mineral-rich soil that now produces some of the world's finest coffee and chocolate all trace back to it. Layered onto that geology is the most visible living Maya presence in Central America — 22 languages still spoken, weaving and market traditions carried unbroken from before the conquest. The sections below cover the country region by region, from the northern jungle to the western highlands.
Discover Guatemala
Tikal National Park in the Petén department is the crown jewel of Maya archaeology — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where thousands of structures span 16 square kilometers of protected rainforest. Temple I (Temple of the Great Jaguar, 47 meters) and Temple II face each other across the Grand Plaza, creating one of the ancient world's most dramatic urban spaces. Temple IV, at 70 meters the tallest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas, offers sunrise views above the jungle canopy that have become Guatemala's defining image — toucans and parrots fly between temple peaks as howler monkeys provide the soundtrack. The city reached its zenith between 200-900 AD with an estimated population of 100,000, rivaling contemporary European capitals. Beyond the main temples, causeways connect palace complexes, ball courts, and residential areas still being excavated. The surrounding Petén jungle — part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, the largest tropical forest north of the Amazon — harbors jaguars, spider monkeys, ocellated turkeys, and over 300 bird species. Flores, the island town on Lake Petén Itzá, serves as the gateway to Tikal (1 hour by shuttle). Flights from Guatemala City to Flores take 50 minutes; overland buses take 8-10 hours through increasingly wild territory. Stay overnight at lodges near the park entrance to catch sunrise from Temple IV — the predawn hike through dark jungle with flashlights, listening to the forest wake up, is an unforgettable experience.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Tikal's soaring pyramids, Yaxhá's lakeside ruins, Iximché's highland ceremonial center, and El Mirador's massive structures deep in the Petén jungle — Guatemala holds the densest concentration of Maya archaeological sites in Mesoamerica.
Antigua's cobblestone streets, baroque church ruins, the yellow Arch of Santa Catalina, and colorful facades framed by three volcanoes — the former colonial capital is one of the Americas' most beautiful cities.
Hike active Pacaya, camp overnight on Acatenango watching Fuego erupt, summit Tajumulco (Central America's highest), explore cave systems, tube underground rivers, and surf Pacific black-sand beaches.
Chichicastenango's massive Thursday/Sunday market, Sololá's highland commerce, Santiago Atitlán's Tz'utujil textiles, and San Juan La Laguna's weaving cooperatives — living Maya culture expressed through cloth and trade.
World-class arabica from eight growing regions, cacao cultivation dating back 3,000 years to the ancient Maya, farm-to-cup tours in Antigua, and bean-to-bar chocolate workshops — Guatemala is a food traveler's pilgrimage.
The world's most beautiful lake surrounded by volcanoes and Maya villages — Panajachel's tourist hub, San Pedro's backpacker scene, San Marcos' yoga retreats, Santiago Atitlán's Tz'utujil traditions, and San Juan's weaving cooperatives.
Money & Currency
Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
Currency code: GTQ
Practical Money Tips
Currency Exchange in Guatemala
Guatemala uses the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ), named after the resplendent quetzal bird — the national symbol. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas (Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Flores/Tikal) but always at the vendor's chosen exchange rate, which may be less favorable than the official rate. For the best rates, withdraw Quetzales from ATMs — the interbank rate is consistently better than exchange houses. Banks in major cities (Banco Industrial, BAM, Banrural) exchange USD cash but with longer waits and lower limits. Street money changers at borders (especially the Mexican border at La Mesilla or Tecún Umán) should be avoided — scams are common. Hotels and tour operators typically accept USD but give unfavorable rates. The Quetzal fluctuates around Q7.5-8.0 per USD. For purchases under Q100 (~$13), always pay in Quetzales to avoid rounding losses.
ATM Availability
ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are available in Guatemala City, Antigua, Panajachel (Lake Atitlán), Flores, Quetzaltenango, and other major towns. Banco Industrial (BI) and BAM have the most extensive networks. Most ATMs dispense Quetzales only, though some BI machines in tourist areas offer USD. Withdrawal limits are typically Q2,000-3,000 per transaction ($260-390). Your home bank will charge $3-5 per international withdrawal. Visa is the most widely accepted network, followed by Mastercard — some ATMs reject cards from smaller networks. In remote areas (Semuc Champey/Lanquín, rural highlands, Caribbean coast), ATMs may be scarce or unreliable — withdraw cash before heading to these destinations. Always shield your PIN and prefer ATMs inside bank branches or shopping centers over street-facing machines, particularly in Guatemala City.
Card Acceptance
Credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at mid-range to upscale hotels, restaurants in Antigua and Guatemala City, major tour operators, and car rental agencies. American Express has limited acceptance. Outside tourist infrastructure — local comedores (eateries), market stalls, chicken buses, tuk-tuks, small guesthouses, and rural areas — cash is essential. Even in Antigua, many smaller restaurants and all market vendors operate cash-only. At Lake Atitlán, card acceptance varies by village: Panajachel has the most options, while San Pedro, San Marcos, and Santiago are predominantly cash economies. Contactless payment and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are virtually nonexistent. Always carry Q500-1,000 in cash for daily expenses, and keep small bills — vendors often cannot break Q100 or Q200 notes.
Tipping Customs
Tipping is appreciated but not as culturally embedded as in the US. In restaurants, a 10% tip (propina) is standard — some upscale restaurants in Antigua and Guatemala City add it automatically, so check the bill. At local comedores and market stalls, tipping is not expected. Hotel porters: Q5-10 per bag. Taxi drivers: tipping is not customary but rounding up is appreciated. Tour guides: Q50-100 per person for full-day tours — more for specialized experiences like Acatenango overnight or multi-day Petén jungle treks. Shuttle drivers: Q10-20. Spanish school teachers (often earning modest wages): Q50-100/week as a gesture of appreciation is common among students. Tip in Quetzales rather than USD — local workers prefer and benefit more from local currency.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Guatemala — Embassies worldwide
Popular Destinations
Top destinations with verified missions
Embassies in Guatemala
These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.
Key origin countries
Accredited missions for Guatemala
No — citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, all EU member states, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries can enter visa-free for tourism or business for up to 90 days, provided the passport is valid at least 6 months from entry.
Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua operate as a single zone for visa-exempt travelers under the CA-4 agreement — the 90-day limit applies collectively across all four countries, not separately in each one. Crossing between them doesn't reset the clock; only leaving the CA-4 zone entirely (to Belize or Mexico, for example) does.
November through April, the dry season, is generally easiest for travel, including volcano hikes and highland road trips. May through October is wetter but still fully travelable — rain tends to fall in afternoon bursts rather than all day, and the highlands stay cool year-round regardless of season.
Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.