Guatemala Country Facts

Guatemala, a small country (roughly the size of the State of Ohio in the United States) wonderful to explore, offering the visitor two coasts with unlimited natural and cultural resources. Guatemala offers Maya archeological sites, colonial cities, active volcanoes, 21 Maya ethnic groups, indigenous markets, national parks and reserves, cloud forests, tropical jungles, black sand beaches, orchids, lakes, rivers and much… much more.

There is a wide choice of hotel accommodations throughout the country, ranging from five star hotels to quaint lodges, something to suit everybody’s taste and budget. Guatemala is easily reached from most important cities in United States, Canada, Europe and South America with daily flights on major Airlines. All these factors as well as Guatemala’s friendly people make it a favorite vacation destination. The diversity of the tourist attractions within the country allow visitors to choose among a variety of destinations and activities.

Location and topography. Guatemala borders to the North and West with Mexico, to the East with Belize, the Caribbean Sea and Honduras, and to the South with El Salvador and the Pacific Ocean. The North of the country is flat and mostly made up of Sub Tropical Jungles, and the South is also flat with black-sand beaches in the Pacific Ocean. The Sierra Madre is the volcanic mountain range that divides the country into the flatlands of the North and South. This is where most ethnic groups live and where over 30 volcanoes are located (just a few are active today).

Top Tourist Attractions. Antigua Guatemala (colonial city), Lake Atitlan (surrounded by 3 volcanoes and 12 indigenous towns), Chichicastenango (the largest Maya market) and Tikal (the Maya archeological site).

Language. Spanish is the official language. English is spoken in tourist areas throughout the country. Several Maya dialects and tongues are spoken throughout the country such as Cackchiquel and Quekchi.

Geographical Division. The national territory is divided into 22 Departments and each into several Municipalities.

Extension. Guatemala is almost 110,000 squared kilometers (43,000 squared miles).

Population. Guatemala has a population of 12 million people. About 3 million live in the Central Valley and about 80% of the population descend from the Mayas. There are 23 ethnic groups in the country, 21 from Maya origin plus the Garifunas and Ladinos.

Electricity. 110-volt AC is found nationwide.

Water. The water is not safe to drink in all areas of the country, we recommend drinking bottled water which is easily available.

Currency Exchange. The official currency is the Quetzal and is easier to use than American Dollars. The currency rate fluctuates every day without notice. US dollars are accepted throughout the country, except in small villages, where local currency is required. You can exchange money at the International Airport, banks and hotels receptions. There is only one bank in the system that can exchange Euro, so it’s best to bring American Dollars.

Credit Cards and Travelers Checks. Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the country, but some smaller businesses will only accept local currency. Major cards accepted are Visa, Master Card and American Express. There are ATM machines in most tourist destination that accept foreign debit cards.

Time Zone. Guatemala is the same as US Central Standard Time (GMT –6), but does not observe daylight savings time.

Business Hours. Government offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Commercial offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and do not close for lunch. All hours may vary.

Churches. Like all Latin American countries, Guatemala is predominantly Catholic, but other denominations are found throughout the country.

Climate. Guatemala is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between November and April, and the wet season during the rest of the year. The Caribbean Coast and the Tropical Jungles in Peten tend to be wet most of the year. Temperatures vary little between seasons, the average is 24 degrees Celsius, and the main influence on temperature is altitude. The coasts are very hot and humid, with the Caribbean averaging 21 degrees Celsius at night and over 30 degrees Celsius during the day, the Pacific is a few degrees warmer still. In the mountains, temperatures may drop below cero at night.

Clothing. Pack light for your trip. The highland areas can be very cold, specially at night. For the lowland area light, loose-fitting shirts and pants are essential. A cap or hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repelent are recommended.

Communications. Direct-dial service is available at all major tourist destinations. Phones, faxes, Internet access and cable television are available at most hotels and tourist destinations. Please check with your hotel’s front desk for more information.

Hospitals. Health care in Guatemala City is very good but scarce in the rest of the country. Public hospitals lack the necessary equipment and facilities, so private hospitals and clinics are recommended for an emergency. Most hotels have an emergency kit and doctor on call.

Entry Requirements. A valid passport is required for entry and for some countries need a visa. Please check with us or with the nearest Guatemalan Embassy or Consulate before travelling. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Centroamerica and the European Union do not need at visa.

Customs. Visitor to Guatemala may bring with them items for personal use such as a camera and accessories, a laptop computer and accessories, cigarettes and spririts for personal consumption.

Departure Tax. There is a fixed international departure rate of US$30 per person to depart by air plus a US$3 security fee. The departure fee should be already included in your air ticket so please check with your travel agency. For local flights there is a US$5 per person fee plus the same security fee. For water exits a US$10 fee applies and for land exits there is no charge.

Taxes. There is a 12% sales tax (VAT) included in all products and services. Additionally, a 10% tourist tax applies to all hotel accommodations.

Tipping. A 10% tip is appropriate. Some restaurants will add the tip to your bill so read your bill before paying a tip. Other services do not include tips but are recommended according to the quality of services received. Taxi drivers generally do not receive a tip.

Government. Democratically elected officials run Guatemala. Elections are held every four years for President-Vice President, Congress and Mayors.