A trip to Guatemala can be a wonderful experience: dive into its diverse culture, taste new flavors and enjoy the warm climate. Guatemala is a country known for its rich culture and immense natural beauty, but traveling to Guatemala can be stressful if you are not prepared.

We have many years of experience guiding travelers through Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. To make sure you have the best time possible, we put together this article to help you prepare for your Guatemalan adventure.

What To Pack For Your Trip To Guatemala

Guatemala’s climate can vary a lot depending on the altitude. In the highlands the days are warm, but at night temperatures will drop drastically. The best way to prepare yourself for those temperature changes is to dress in layers and to bring a warm sweater for cooler nights.

Comfortable footwear is a must for every Guatemala trip. You will do a lot of walking – exploring towns and Mayan ruins. A good pair of sneakers will be your best friend.

A backpack can come in handy to take your essentials on your day trips. 

The sun can be very strong in Guatemala. Bring good sunscreen, a cap or hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from sunburn. A good mosquito repellent should also be on your shopping list for your Guatemala trip.

The occasional rain shower is no exception in Guatemala. Bring a light rain jacket that you can fold up and carry with you in your backpack. 

You will be taking a lot of pictures and videos on your trip, there is just so much to see! Running out of battery in the most important moments of your trip can be a nightmare. This is where a portable power bank can come in handy.

Money & ATMs

The easiest way to withdraw money in the Guatemala currency called Quetzal is at local ATMs using your debit or credit card. You can use cards that have the Plus or Cirrus sign on the back. 

Before your trip, make sure to check with your bank for surcharges & let them know you’ll be traveling.

You can also use your credit card for purchases at some stores and restaurants in cities and bigger towns. It is not uncommon for Guatemalan businesses to charge around 10% extra for payments with credit cards. Just ask the staff about their credit card fee.

Insider Tip: Bring some smaller US Dollar bills for tipping!

Travel Documents

Every traveler entering Guatemala needs a valid passport that will NOT expire within 6 months of their travel dates.

US and Canadian passport holders don´t need a visa for their trip to Guatemala and can stay up to 90 days. Your passport will be stamped upon arrival and you are not allowed to exceed the 90 days.

For more information visit the US Department of State website.

Health

The tap water in Guatemala is not drinkable. Try to stay away from food that has not been prepared with purified water like, for example, street food. If you are having drinks with ice make sure they are made with purified water. 

At the moment there are no vaccinations required by law for entering Guatemala, but the CDC and WHO recommend getting hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, yellow fever, malaria, and other routine vaccinations. We recommend talking to your local physician before your trip.

Safety 

On your trip to Guatemala, you most likely will be visiting areas that are frequented by tourists. Those areas are generally safe, especially if you are traveling in a group and with an experienced tour guide.

In Guatemala City, like in every big city in the world, there are areas that you should definitely stay away from especially at night. Leave your jewelry at home and don´t flash cash in public. Basically use your common sense when traveling this beautiful country.

At Alma´s Expeditions, our experienced team will plan your Guatemala trip for you. We follow safe travel guidelines so you don’t have to worry about anything. Just sit back and enjoy your vacation!