GUATEMALA
ALTITUDE
Region of mountains where the highest peak of the whole Central America is located: Talumulco volcano which summit reaching 4220 meters.
CRAFTS
Textiles are known for their refinement. You can find also jewels, wooden and leather objects.
BEVERAGES
The most popular drinks are lager beer and fruit juices. Drink purified water.
CREDITS CARDS
International credit cards VISA or MASTERCARD are generally accepted in hotels and some shops. Only a few ATMs. Better change at the Guatemala Ciudad airport and in banks member of VISA or MASTERCARD.
WEATHER
Tropical climate but a large part of the country is mountainous and upland temperatures are generally enjoyable during the day although, it is cool especially in the morning and evening, sometimes even cold. Lower regions are hot and humid: coast and Petén region.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2023
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 6 to 9 April: Easter
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 3 July: Army Day
- 15 September: Independence Day
- 20 October: October Revolution Day
- 1 November: All Saints’ Day
- 25 December: Christmas Day
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
The national currency is the Quetzal. 1 EURO is worth about 9 Quetzals. It is recommended to bring small US dollar bills or travelers checks in US dollars, since Euros are not generally accepted. Currency exchange should be done in banks and official exchange bureau and a passport will be requested to process the transactions.
ELECTRICITY
110 volts outlets, flat blade plugs. Please bring a plug adapter. Computers and cell phones have an internal transformer, therefore, you will only need a plug adapter.
GASTRONOMY
Traditional cuisine is produced by the cultures intermix where meals are served with tortillas, sort of corn or wheat pancakes.
CURRENT TIME
7 hours less than in France during the winter and 8 hours less during summer time. When it is 16h00 in France, it is 9h00 during winter time and 8h00 during summer time in Guatemala.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish.
WEB ACCESS
WIFI connections are often free in the hotels.
TIPS
Tipping is essential. It is recommended to leave a 10% tip of the value of the beverage.
HEALTH
No vaccination is mandatory to enter the country. It is recommended to drink mineral water and to be careful with what you eat. It is also recommended to be up-to-date of all your vaccinations such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis (DT Polio), Hepatitis A and B. Get mosquito repellent to protect from bites. Please consult with your private doctor before traveling.
SAFETY
Respect the basic security rules, such as:
- Avoid walking in isolated streets or neighborhoods with bad reputation.
- Be careful when withdrawing cash or exchanging currency.
- Leave valuable jewels and objects in the safe-deposit-box at the hotel or in a safe place.
- Only take with you the needed cash and credit cards.
- Request help case by case to your tour guide.
- Do not go out at night.
TRANSPORTS
Generally, transportation in Guatemala is done by road and by bus. However, there is a domestic airline called TAG Airlines which stops at cities such as Flores close to Tikal, the archaeological site.
HOW TO DRESS?
Casual outfit and comfortable shoes to visit. Plan to bring light clothes and warmer clothes to wear in case the temperature is cooler and/or cold in high elevations. Plan to bring a light raincoat. We recommend: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
