Guatemala FAQs

There are currently no visa requirements for EU, US or Canadian citizens. Other nationalities who do need to apply for a visa should make sure they have enough time to complete the process before travel. All passports must be valid for at least six months after your intended departure and have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.

We will confirm certain elements of your trip such as domestic flights, permits or train tickets using your current passport details. If a member of your party changes their name in their passport after booking (for example, through marriage or adoption) this could mean having to reissue important parts of the trip at an extra cost and subject to availability. 

Please note that requirements can change and we recommend that our guests contact the local embassy in the country where you live for the most recent and up to date information.

Yes, once your trip is confirmed it is essential that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case anything unexpected happens. 

We always recommend that our guests get the maximum level of coverage that you feel comfortable investing in. Read more about travel insurance for US travellers here and for travellers from other countries here.

Yes, you should visit a travel doctor before your trip as they may recommend certain vaccinations or medications before or during travel. Some vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Latin America include: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies and Meningitis.

Guatemala is a tropical country so we do recommend you bring good quality mosquito spray with you, especially if you are going to Tikal. Check with your medical advisor about the areas you are going to before travelling to see whether you should bring malaria tablets, and which ones will suit you best. 

Using insect repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves also help prevent mosquito bites and sleeping in air conditioned or well screened rooms also help prevent risk.

Typically regional flights in Guatemala will be on TAG airlines with a checked luggage allowance of 22 kilograms per person, plus one piece of hand luggage, max weight 4.5 kilograms. Excess luggage can be purchased at USD $ 1.00 for every extra pound (0.5 kg), however this cannot always be guaranteed at the time of check-in, it’s preferable to try to purchase extra luggage at the time of booking. If you are unable to take all of your luggage with you on your flight due to limited space, the airline will transfer your luggage on the next available flight – this should be later that same day, or early the following morning. Our partner in Guatemala will then ensure your bags are taken from the airport to your hotel.

Please let us know if you have seat assignment preferences and we will notify the airlines. Please note that seat assignment is subject to change and always at the discretion of the airline. 

Our team on the ground will be able to check you in online 24 hours prior to your flight.

Travel pack

Before you head off on your adventure you will be sent a travel pack. The travel pack is full of great information and is also a beautiful keepsake. It is not necessary to travel with vouchers or confirmations on your trip but we do recommend having a printed copy of your travel itinerary to hand when you arrive into Guatemala.

Bon Voyage email

Around 2 weeks before you depart we will email you an electronic version of your travel pack including your domestic flight tickets. Once you’ve received this email your Travel Designer will reach out to arrange a time for you to talk on the phone to go over any last minute questions and talk you through the information we’ve sent over.

US Dollars are accepted in some places in Guatemala and are also fairly easy to exchange for the local currency, the Quetzal, named after the national bird. For smaller purchases and in rural areas it will be necessary to have the national currency.

Most major credit cards are accepted by hotels and some shops although a surcharge of up to 7% can often be added. Many cash machines in Antigua, Guatemala City and Flores will be compatible with VISA, MASTERCARD, PLUS and CIRRUS cards.  Visa is more widely accepted than MasterCard.

We don’t recommend trying to exchange traveller’s cheques in Guatemala as it can be time consuming and the rate is often poor.

Tipping is generally expected for tourists in Guatemala and it’s best to tip in the local currency rather than US dollars. If you’re on a trip with several guides and drivers, tip them individually. For this purpose, many people find travelling with a few envelopes to be useful. It can be tricky to break down big bills in Guatemala, so try and hang on to small denominations, which you can use for tipping.

Normally, the rates are 10-15% in restaurants. Hotel porters get around USD 1 to USD 2 per piece of luggage, a private guide on a full-day trip will get about USD 30 or USD 15 for a half-day tour and it’s about USD 10 for a private driver on a full-day trip.

In terms of etiquette it’s important to observe and be respectful of local customs. Guatemala is predominantly a Catholic country therefore, to this, it’s best to dress conservatively in towns and villages. Both men and women should cover their legs (knee-length shorts and skirts are fine) and shoulders. Away from the beach, men should always wear a tshirt of shirt.

We recommend leaving expensive jewellery at home and be mindful of using expensive camera equipment in busy areas.

Guatemala is a tropical country and enjoys warm weather throughout the year. Some areas that are at altitude can experience colder temperatures. There is a rainy season between  May to October with afternoon rain showers and even storms.

Please click through here to see our general packing list. For a list specific to your trip, the areas you’ll travel to and the activities you’ll take part in, please speak to your travel designer or concierge. 

Almost all of the properties in Guatemala will offer a laundry service at an extra cost. You might find some pricing to be quite expensive so please do check the costs with reception before sending your items to be washed.

We highly recommend that you make restaurant reservations in advance of your trip. Once your trip is confirmed you will be introduced to your concierge who will be able to assist you in not only making the reservations but also  making  recommendations based on your preferences.

We only recommend taking transfers arranged by Jacada travel, the team on the ground, your hotel or a restaurant we’ve reserved for you. Although there are metered taxis these shouldn’t be necessary on your trip.

Plugs and power

For Guatemala there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Guatemala operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.

Wifi and Internet

Wifi is common in most hotels and lodges in Guatemala. In remote areas the connection can be patchy and is not always available throughout the entire property, sometimes only being available in the common areas or in the rooms.  There are some exceptions, so if this sort of connectivity is very important to you please discuss this with your travel designer or concierge.

Remote areas

Cell phone reception and roaming is not always possible in some remote areas so please bear this in mind when planning communications while on your trip.