We will Start our Guatemala Travel Tips by talking about this country. The country’s official name is Republic of Guatemala. This is a Central American country in the south of Mexico. It borders with Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico.
It is like a home of ancient Mayan sites, volcanoes, rainforests. The Total area of this country is 108,889 sq km. Guatemala City is the capital of this country. It is home to the National Palace of Culture & the National Archaeology and Ethnology Museum.
While Antigua Guatemala, west of the capital, contains preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Guatemala has more than 30 volcanoes, out of that 3 are active. However, Tourism is the second-largest industry in the country, employs approximately 35% of its population.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Guatemala
- Tikal
- Lake Atitlán
- Semuc Champey
- Pacaya
- Dulce River
- Acatenango
- Tikal Temple I
- Lake Petén Itzá
- Volcán San Pedro
- Volcán de Fuego
Language
The official language of Guatemala is Spanish. This is also the most spoken language in the nation as around 93% of the population of Guatemala speak Spanish. The Spanish colonists brought the language into the country and missionaries and earliest Guatemalan schools taught it to the indigenous inhabitants of the region.
Other 21 Mayan languages are also popular in this country, specifically in rural areas. Xinca and Garifuna are two other non-Mayan languages that are also spoken in the country. However, They are not recognized as National Languages.
Currency
The official currency of Guatemala is quetzal. one Quetzal is equivalent to 1oo Centavos. The Currency code of Quetzal is GTQ. The Bank Issue notes in Denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 Quetzals. Whereas coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and a 1 Quetzal coin.
Credit cards accepted in many hostels, most of the are intermediate and high-end hotels and restaurants. Both Visa & Master Cards are commonly accepted. ATMs are widely available in this country. According to Guatemala Travel Tips, Please hold some cash for cases of emergency.
Best Time to Visit
The Best Time to Visit Guatemala is from December to March. These months fall under dry season. The country receives most of the tourist in this period. you can explore the whole country without any difficulty in this season. While the rainy season of this country starts in May & ends in October.
However, The rainfall is generally only for a couple of hours a day in the main visitor regions. According to Guatemala Travel Tips, Guatemala has a pleasant climate that lends itself to year-round visits.
Guatemala Tourist Visa
Guatemala does not have an embassy or consulate in India. As such, it would be difficult to secure a visa in India for Guatemala. Indian passengers with existing US, Canada or Schengen visas do not need to a Guatemalan Visa in their passports.
Documents Required for Guatemala Visa
- Application forms
- 2 passport-size photos
- Valid passport with 1 full blank page
- Onward or return ticket
- Bank statements for the last 3 months
Time Zone
Time zone in Guatemala (GMT-6).
Emergency Numbers
- Police- 120 and 110
- Firefighters- 122 and 123
- IGSS(social security ambulance)- 128
Internet
Guatemala’s Internet Speed is accessible & the prices are reasonable. You can buy SIM cards for your phone from the airport or one of many retailers all over Guatemala. All you need is the passport to get the sim card in this country.
The Main Internet Service providers in this country are Tigo Guatemala, Claro Guatemala, and Movistar Guatemala. Internet cafes are very popular in all the big Guatemalan cities and tourist attractions. While Places with free Wi-Fi connection are airports, restaurants, hotels, coffeehouses.
Electricity
The normal voltage is 120 V and the default frequency is 60 Hz. The power plugs and sockets in Guatemala are of Form A and B. Type A is mainly used in North and Central America, China and Japan. This socket only works with plug A. While Type B like type A but with an extra prong for grounding.
This socket also works with plug A. According to Guatemala Travel Tips, You can use your electric equipment in this country if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 V. Though having a travel adapter is advisable to remain linked to the planet.
Climate
The Climate of Guatemala is tropical. While It remains hot all year round in the lowlands, while in mountainous areas, it becomes cooler with increasing altitude. The country is in Central America, many people think that its tropical climate is universal.
However, regardless of the tropical location of Guatemala, The mountains of that country alter the environment. From December to March, cool air masses from the United States can enter Guatemala, and in these cases, the temperature at night will drop below 10 ° C (50 ° F) in Guatemala City and about 13/15 ° C (55/59 ° F) in the plains.
Reasons to Travel Guatemala
- Tikal national park
- Top-notch coffee
- People
- Food
- Nesting Sea turtle
- Real chocolate
- Lake Atitlan.
- Waterfalls
- The jungle
- Festivals
- You can hike active volcanoes.
History of Guatemala
Guatemala used to be home to the ancient Mayan civilization. This was a strong, advanced civilization that constructed many pyramids that people can still see them. The Mayan civilization was at its height from about 250 AD to 900 AD in what was considered as the Classic Period.
The Mayan empire was already weakening when the Europeans arrived in the 14th century. In 1524 the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado conquered the Maya and this area has become a Spanish colony. Guatemala has had three separate capital cities, due to natural disasters.
The first of these was Ciudad Vieja, devastated by an earthquake and flooding. The second one was Antigua which was hit by earthquakes as well. The third capital city, Guatemala City, was founded in 1776.
Guatemala declared independence from Spain in 1821, becoming part of the Mexican Empire. Later, for a brief period, it was a part of the United Provinces of Centro America.
Religion
The Roman Catholic is the dominant religion in the country as almost half of the country’s population follows it. While Protestant Christianity is the second-largest religion in the country as around 40% of the entire population follow it.While around 10% of the population of this country have no particular religion.
While approximately 2 percent of the total population of Guatemala is noticeable from other religions in the world. Religions include Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness, Mainstream Mayan Religion, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, among others.
Packing Tips for Guatemala
- Important Documents- passport & Travel map
- Day Bag or Backpack
- Sunglasses and Sun Hat
- Comfortable Clothes
- Breathable tees
- Power Charger
- Travel Adapter
- Insect Protection
- Toiletries
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Tickets and travel documents
- Swimming Suit
- Medical kit
Is it Safe to Travel Guatemala?
No, Guatemala is a not safe country The Crime rate for both violent and petty crime are high. If you still travel, Please avoid using public transport in Guatemala due to high levels of crime and armed robberies in crowded places. Pickpocketing is very common in this country.
Please remain extremely careful when handling your valuables. It is advisable that you never carry your money in a purse or a pocket. When we talk about natural disasters the country has three active volcanoes Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito.
While Hurricanes and earthquakes also occasionally hit this country. Whereas, Scams like people trying to distract you in order to steal from you and taxi drivers overcharging you for a ride are common. However, there is no risk of terrorism in this country.
It is not a safe country for Solo Women Travelers. If you still wish to travel, please avoid remote streets, both during day and night. We advise you not to flash your belongings or handle money in public. Muggings, robberies, and rapes are common in Guatemala.
While kidnapping is the biggest risk in this country. Women and child kidnapping are very common. After the kidnapping, they sold them in the black market. Please do not travel to Volcan de Agua, trails around Lago de Atitlan, and Volcan de Pacaya at all.
Conclusion
However, If you need more information about Guatemala Travel Tips ??? Call us at +918860284198 or contact us at [email protected].
FAQs
Good Things about Guatemala?
1. Mayan Ruins 2. Beaches 3. Antigua
Bad Things about Guatemala?
1. Drug trafficking 2. Violence 3. Corruption
Weird Things about Guatemala?
1. Unfinished buildings. 2. taking soda from a bag. 3. Muchas gracias.
Guatemala Travel Restrictions?
A negative COVID-19 test not older than 72 hours upon entry, or will be subject to 14 days quarantine.
How many states in Guatemala?
There are 22 States(departments) in Guatemala.
