edit Guatemala Travel Guide

• Tikal Arguably the best and most impressive Mayan ruins in the world, you can still climb these impressive historic treasures...be ready to devote at least a few days as the ruins are massive
• Semuc Champey Just a short walk outside of Lanquin lies Semuc Champey, a series of beautiful turquoise green pools...be sure to hike up to El Mirador where you can get a birds eye view of it all, but be warned it is a few miles up a steep hill
• Antigua Despite the fact that this colonial city may often be viewed as a tourist trap it is still one of the most beautiful cities in central america. Anitgua is nestled in the arms of three volcanos, has a wonderfully cool climate, a thriving night life, and is one of the best and cheapest places to learn Spanish
• Lago Atitlan and the villages that surround it make a great places for a multitude of lake activities (kayaking, swimming, etc.) but more than anything just relax in one of the many beautiful towns on the lake (there are many that you have to take a boat to and are very secluded and peaceful)

Visa Requirements

Citizens of the USA, Canada, any of the countries of the Eurppean Union, Norway, Australia, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and Japan can stay for up to 90 days without a visa.

Customs and Immigration

By plane

Guatemala's main airport, La Aurora International Airport (GUA), is near Guatemala City. International flights arrive mostly from other Central American countries and North America.
Guatemala's secondary airport is situated in Flores, Petén. This small airport receives flights from a small number of close destinations including Belize, Mexico City and Guatemala City.

It is sometimes cheaper to fly into Cancun and take buses through Belize or to fly into Mexico City and then take a low-cost airlines flight on Aviacsa for around $100 USD to Tapachula which is the Mexico/Guatemala border.

By car

From Mexico, or Honduras, El Salvador, via Pan-American Highway, also possible with more difficulty from Belize.

The small, three-wheeled tuk-tuk is a common vehicle providing local taxi service. It can carry up to three passengers. You will need to negotiate your fare with the driver before you start, because they generally don't have meters. The tuk-tuk originates from India, and can be found in many developing countries. The name refers to the sound of the motorcycle engine powering the vehicle.

By boat

By train

Economy

Banking

ATMs can be found in the major towns but do not expect to find them in every tourist spot. It is fairly easy to find your self in a town without an ATM or a place to change money.

Do not expect to be able to easily exchange travelers checks to Guatemala. You might find a few places willing to accept checks issued by American Express but all other types are universally turned down. Amazingly even major banks in Guatemala City do not accept VISA travelers checks.

Currency

The local currency is the Quetzal which is named after the national bird, which has ancient and mythic connotations even still. US dollars are widely accepted and can be exchanged in most small towns. There seemed to be a shortage of small denomination notes and coins (december 2006 - february 2007) which are essential if you want to eat from street vendors or shop in markets. Change your larger notes at every opportunity and try not to spend your change. Often store owners lie to you, claiming that they do not have change so be persistent.

Credit Cards

Tax

Tipping

Shopping

• Ron Zacapa Centenario, Guatemalas prize-winning rum
• Fabrics and Traditional textiles: Traditional mayan blouses are known as huipiles (whi-peel) and skirts cortes. Be aware that these are almost always entirely handmade and prices for a high-end huipil may be as high as Q1000.
• Jade - large jade factory in Antigua, very expensive though
• Coffee - touted as one of the best-tasting varieties in the world
• Cardamom - the largest exporter in the world, Coban in Alta Verapaz is the capital of this trade.

Costs

Guatemala is a small country with a striking variety of topographic features. Nearly two-thirds of the country is mountainous and volcanic. Parallel to the Pacific lies the Sierra Madre mountain range, with peaks that rise to an elevation of up to 12.000 feet. 33 volcanoes dominate the landscape, and these, coupled with the lush tropical rain forests to the north, the fertile plains of the south and east, the beautiful lakes, and the wonderful rivers, make this a land of varied contrasts.

Located in the tropical zone, and has a range of climates that varies according to the altitude. There are two seasons: the rainy months run from May to October, and the dry ones from November to April. The average temperature is 75° F, with small tempature variations between the highlands and lowlands. As a peice of travel advice it would be wise to bring some sort of jacket if you are traveling in the highlands as it gets cold enough to require one at night.

Holidays and Celebrations

Language

Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, and the most commonly spoken. Over twenty indigenous languages are still spoken throughout, but many of the Maya people have at least a working knowledge of basic Spanish as well. For the Garifuna people in Livingston, Garifuna and English are the main languages (but Spanish is spoken as well).

The most familiar form of Spanish spoken among good friends is the "tú/vos" form, but varies between regions. It is considered rude and very informal if used with someone that you do not know. As a tourist, it is safer to stick with the "usted" form. However, don't be surprised if some homestay families and some language teachers jump right into using the "tu/vos" form. If they do, you may respond in kind.

Types of Restaurants

Types of Food

Etiquette

Drinks

• Gallo This is the local beer, it is quite average but when in Guatemala...
  

Phones

Internet

Only drink purified water (agua pura).

CDC states that malaria risk exists in rural areas at altitudes lower than 1,500 meters, with no risk in Antigua or Lake Atitlán.

Dengue fever is endemic throughout Guatemala.

Hepatitis A&B vaccinations are recommended.

NEVER EVER take photos of children without permission. Some Guatemalans are extremely paranoid about this, and will assume you are a kidnapper (even if children aren't theirs). Not trusting the police, they often take matters into their own hands -- including murder. Of course, this doesn't include a few children mixed in with many adults at a distance. This occurs mainly on the inner Guatemalan villages. In the major cities people are somewhat more open towards picture taking, but don't overdo it.

Although some say that travellers should always carry a bit of extra cash and be prepared to bribe a few police officers, most tourists will have no reason to give bribes to anyone. The most likely situations in which you might have to bribe police would be if you're driving a car or riding a motorcycle and are stopped for fictitious violations of traffic rules. Most European/North Americans find it immoral but its much easier to spend 50 Quetzales and avoid the headaches than to be harassed by the police. Phrases such as "I'm sorry officer. Is there any way we can resolve this right now?" work well. Do not offer bribes directly to an officer because it is illegal and you could actually end up in more trouble.

Crime

It is dangerous to travel on some of the major roads after dark. One of the best things about Guatemala is the abundance of natural beauty and numerous treks. Some of these are notorious for robberies ( ex. Volcan de Agua, trails around Lago de Atitlan, Volcan de Pacaya. Always ask around about the situation before embarking blindly. Inguat, locals, and fellow travellers are safe bets for information. Travelling in groups during daylight sometimes decreases the risk, but not always. Dangerous traffic. You will encounter many 1 lane roads (1 lane each way) and drivers are apt to swerve back and forth, avoiding potholes and bumps along the way. There are also various multiple lane highways. Traffic in Guatemala City and surrounding metropolitan areas during rush hour is very slow, but general driving everywhere is usually very fast (average speeds of up to 60 mph in some city roads). High crime rate (especially in Guatemala City. Avoid zone 18, zone 19).

Emergency

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Gays and lesbians

Illicit drugs and prostitution

Smoking

By plane

By train

By car

By bus

It's hard to miss the colourfully-decorated buses that crowd the streets of major cities and highways of Guatemala. These are chicken buses, and are a common form of travel for Guatemalans and a travel adventure for tourists. They are much cheaper than tourist vans or taxis (example: a 10km drive from Antigua to the countryside costs Q2.75 as of December 2005). They are usually very crowded, with three people squeezed into seats designed to seat two North American children, and more people standing in the aisles. The bus itself is frequently a used North American school bus; the "Blue Bird" and "Ford" logos are clearly visible. In addition to the driver there is usually a conductor standing in the door. The conductor collects fares, and from time to time jumps out to direct the bus through a blind intersection or around a tight turn. On the highways, the chicken bus drivers are aggressive, not hesitating to overtake in the face of oncoming traffic.

You can board a chicken bus almost anywhere along its route. If you put out your arm, it will stop. You board and find a space to sit or stand. The conductor will come back to you after the bus is underway, and collect your fare. You need to recognise where your stop is, and move to the door in time. You ask the bus to stop, more or less wherever you want to get off.

Guatemala City: Try the local trolley, Chiltepe Tours (www.chiltepe.com), departing at 10:00 and 13:00 hours from hotels in zone 10, visiting the historic downtown of Guatemala City, with one stop at the National Palace, and one at Museo Popol Vuh. Duration, approximately 3 hours.

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