Guatemala

Violent crime

Violent crime is common in Guatemala, particularly in tourist destinations. This includes:

• murder

• carjacking

• kidnapping

• assault

• rape

• robbery

Crime often involves guns. Violent crime increases at night.

Areas at risk for violent crime, assault and robbery include:

• Guatemala City, including previously safe areas like Zones 10, 14 and 15

• volcanoes and other tourist sites

• borders with El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico

• land border crossings, where travellers exchange large amounts of cash

Express kidnappings happen. These are where criminals force you to withdraw funds from ATMs. This can happen at petrol stations and shopping centres.

If you're attacked or robbed, don't resist. If criminals have guns or weapons, they may injure or kill you.

To protect yourself from violent crime:

• always be aware of your surroundings

• take extra care after dark

• only use ATMs during daylight hours

• only change money in hotels or banks

• get updates on regional security conditions

Be careful when crossing land borders. Only cross the border during daylight hours. Allow enough time to arrive in a major town before dark.

Other crime

Criminals may target you when arriving at international airports or travelling to hotels in Guatemala City and Antigua. 

Using an unofficial taxi increases your risk of robbery and assault. Safe options include:

• buying prepaid taxi vouchers from the Tourist Office at the airport

• using radio-dispatched taxis

• using taxis from hotels

Don't flag taxis or use taxi stands.

You can use an escort from the state-run tourist service PROATUR to reduce your travel risk.

To protect yourself while travelling by road:

• plan to arrive at La Aurora Airport (Guatemala City) during the day or early evening

• be aware of your surroundings

• travel in a group

• choose a reputable tour company

• never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers

To protect yourself if you're driving:

• keep doors locked and windows up, even when driving

• keep your valuables out of sight

Theft happens at budget hotels, particularly in Antigua.

Scams and fraud

Scammers target travellers. Scams can involve tourist vehicles. 

To protect yourself from scams:

• be wary of strangers offering a service you didn't ask for or making unusual requests

• always be aware of your money and other possessions

Demonstrations and protests

The Guatemalan Government has declared a state of emergency in the departments of Alta Verapaz, El Progreso, Izabal, Peten and Zacapa. This measure is in response to the killing of three soldiers by suspected drug traffickers. Security forces have additional powers and some civil rights are suspended.

Strikes, protests, demonstrations and large public gatherings can happen suddenly and can turn violent.

To protect yourself during periods of civil unrest:

• avoid protests, demonstrations and public gatherings

• monitor the media for reports of potential unrest, and avoid those areas

• leave an affected area as soon as it's safe

• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Guatemala experiences natural disasters and severe weather, such as:

• hurricanes

• earthquakes

• volcanic eruptions

To protect yourself in case of a natural disaster:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location

• monitor local media and other sources

• follow the advice of local authorities

• keep in contact with your friends and family

• get local advice before visiting natural disaster-affected areas

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System for alerts.

More information:

• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

Hurricanes and severe weather

The hurricane season is June to November, although tropical storms and hurricanes can happen in other months.

The wet season is May to November, when landslides, mudslides and flooding may occur.

The direction and strength of hurricanes can change suddenly.

If there's a hurricane or severe storm:

• you may get stuck in the area

• your airline may delay or suspend your flight

• available flights may fill quickly

• adequate shelter may not be available

Severe weather may also affect:

• access to ports

• road travel

• essential services, such as electricity and water

To protect yourself if a hurricane is approaching:

• know the evacuation plan for your hotel or cruise ship

• identify your local shelter

• closely monitor alerts and advice from authorities

If you're travelling to Guatemala during hurricane season or after a natural disaster, monitor weather reports.

More information:

• National Hurricane and Tropical Prediction Center

• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

Earthquakes

Guatemala is in an active earthquake zone. Earthquakes and tsunamis might occur.

Get to know the earthquake safety measures for each place you stay in or visit.

Volcanoes

Guatemala has 4 active volcanoes:

• Volcan de Fuego

• Pacaya

• Santiaguito

• Tacana

Volcan de Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito volcanoes are very active. Levels of activity may increase at any time.

After a volcanic eruption, falling ash can spread over a wide area. Ash, dust and toxic fumes are a significant health risk. If you have a respiratory condition, take particular care.

To protect yourself if there's a volcanic eruption:

• stay inside with the windows and doors shut

• place damp towels under doors and windows if ash is falling

• monitor advice and alerts from authorities

If you go outside, wear a disposable face mask, goggles and long clothing to avoid contact with ash.

To reduce your risks if you climb a volcano:

• only climb with a group

• use experienced guides and a reputable tour company

• follow the advice of local authorities

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers

• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up

• ask if your travel plans may affect your health

• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice

• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Medicines containing pseudoephedrine are banned in Guatemala.

If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in Guatemala. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is, including its generic name

• how much you'll take

• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medicine

• Embassy or consulate of Guatemala

Insect-borne diseases

Zika virus is widespread in Guatemala.

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends that you:

• discuss travel plans with your doctor

• consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas

Malaria is a year-round risk in rural areas below 1500m elevation.

Other insect-borne diseases occur in Guatemala. These include:

• dengue

• Chagas disease

• river blindness

• leishmaniasis

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof

• use insect repellent

• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash, bleeding nose or gums, or severe headache.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a significant risk in Guatemala.

Take steps to protect yourself if you're at risk of infection.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• hepatitis

• typhoid

• tuberculosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids

• avoid ice cubes

• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads

• make sure your vaccinations are up to date

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical facilities

Medical facilities in Guatemala City are adequate. Outside the capital, facilities are limited.

Expect to pay cash before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison sentences in local jails.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Guatemala has the death penalty for aggravated murder and political crimes.

It's illegal to photograph government buildings, military sites and areas like the Presidential Palace and airports. Check with local authorities before taking photos.

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Guatemalan males, including dual nationals, must complete compulsory military service.

If you're a male dual citizen aged between 18 and 50 years, contact an embassy or consulate of Guatemala before you travel.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Get permission before photographing anyone, especially women and children.

Same-sex relationships are mostly accepted in Guatemala City. In other parts of Guatemala, this may not be the case.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI people

Tourist card (CA-4 visa)

You'll need to purchase a tourist card at the airport. This permits you to visit Guatemala for up to 90 days.

Guatemala is a member country to the Central American Border Control Agreement (CA-4), along with:

• El Salvador

• Honduras

• Nicaragua

With a CA-4 tourist visa, you can travel freely by land between member countries within the 90-day period.

Your tourist card is dated from the first point of entry in any member country.

You can apply to extend the CA-4 visa before it expires at the local immigration office.

If you're not a tourist or you plan to stay longer, you'll need a visa.

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact an embassy or consulate of Guatemala for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

To enter the country, you'll need:

• a valid passport

• a return or onward ticket

• evidence you have enough money for your visit

Travel via the United States or Canada

If you’re travelling through the US, you must also meet US entry or transit requirements. This includes transit through Hawaii.

If you're travelling through Canada, you'll need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for Canada.

Yellow fever vaccination

You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Guatemala. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.

Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.

More information:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)

Travel with children

A child travelling to Guatemala without both parents must have notarised written consent from both parents. A child travelling with at least 1 parent won't need this letter.

These documents must be in Spanish and approved by the Guatemalan mission closest to the child's home.

More information:

• Embassy of Guatemala

• Advice for people travelling with children

Other requirements

You'll need to pay an airport and security tax in cash on departure at the airport.

You'll also need to pay an exit tax if your ticket price doesn't include it.

Validity

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.

• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

The local currency is the Guatemala Quetzal (GTQ).

You can't import or export the Quetzal. You can only exchange US dollars in Guatemala.

ATMs aren't always reliable. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Contact your bank to make sure your cards will work.

Using ATMs on the street puts you at high risk of robbery or express kidnapping.

Border crossings

Strict security controls are in place at Guatemalan borders due to high levels of drug-related criminal activity.

Military personnel are stationed along the border between Guatemala and Mexico. They may want to check your documents.

Only use recognised border crossings, particularly between Guatemala and Belize. There is an ongoing border dispute between the two countries.

Security at border crossings into Mexico has recently been increased by the Mexican government in response to a large number of migrants seeking to travel to the US. Take extra care when using these border crossings and follow the direction of authorities.

Driving permit

To drive in Guatemala, you need both:

• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

• an Australian driver's licence

You must get the IDP before arriving in Guatemala.

Road travel

You're 4 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Guatemala than in Australia.

Driving in Guatemala can be dangerous. Hazards include:

• aggressive local drivers

• poorly maintained vehicles

• roads in poor condition

• drivers ignoring traffic laws

In rural areas, extra road travel risks include:

• poor lighting and street signs

• people and animals on roads

Mudslides and road collapses caused by heavy rains are common. Roads may be closed at short notice.

Inter-city travel after dark anywhere in Guatemala is dangerous. Violent carjackings occur, particularly on poorly maintained roads, but also on main highways.

Dangerous roads include:

• the Pan-American Highway (CA-1)

• the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-2)

• the Atlantic Highway (CA-9)

Criminals have violently attacked motorists between El Salvador and Guatemala, particularly on the Guatemalan side of the border.

Armed gangs often build roadblocks in:

• the northern and western Departments of San Marcos

• Huehuetenango

• El Quiche

• Alta Verapaz

• El Peten

• Escuintla

Other dangerous areas for road travel include:

• the route between Cocales (Suchitepequez) and San Lucas Toliman (Atitlan)

• the isolated dirt roads near Lake Atitlan

• the Godinez bypass via Patzun between Guatemala City and Panajachel

An alternative route to the Godinez bypass is the main Pan-American highway to Solola.

Criminals sometimes pose as police officers.

It's illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Authorities may arrest or detain you.

If you plan to drive in Guatemala:

• check your travel insurance cover

• learn local traffic laws and practices

• don't travel alone, at night or through dangerous areas

• keep doors locked and windows up, even when moving

• don't drink or use drugs

Before you drive:

• get local advice on road conditions, including security risks

• know your travel options in advance

• be prepared for a change in plans if any security issues come up

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check with your travel insurer whether your policy covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Your policy may not cover you for accidents that occur while using these vehicles.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Travel by taxi can be dangerous.

Book airport taxis and regular taxis through a reputable taxi company. These are safer than taxis flagged from the street or at taxi stands.

If you use a taxi:

• arrange transport through your hotel or a radio dispatcher to avoid unlicensed operators

• buy vouchers from the airport Tourist Office for airport taxis

• book in advance if travelling at night

Public transport

Public buses and chicken buses (converted school buses) are often unsafe. Armed robberies are common.

Bus travel can be dangerous. Gangs have targeted, robbed and sexually assaulted passengers on:

• tour buses

• inter-city buses

• luxury coaches

Gangs have also detonated bombs targeting buses. In 2016, gangs killed 5 people in a bomb blast on an inter-city bus in San Jose Pinula, near Guatemala City.

Dangerous areas for bus attacks include:

• border crossings

• tourist areas like Panajachel and Antigua

• the roads from the El Salvador border to Cuilapa

• from the Belize border to El Cruce

If you need to use public transport:

• avoid travelling on public buses or chicken buses (converted school buses)

• only travel on tour buses and inter-city buses with good security arrangements

• do not stow your bag on the overhead bin or under your seat

• check security arrangements before you book

If you plan to travel by bus from Guatemala to southern Mexico, see our travel advice for Mexico.

Boat travel

Criminals may attack you on motorised boats or sailing boats in Rio Dulce and Livingston.

Check there are good security measures in place before booking any boat travel.

Beaches

Strong currents and tides on Guatemala's Pacific coast are dangerous for swimmers.

You often won't find beach patrols, lifeguards or warning and advisory signs.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Guatemala's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends

• travel agent

• insurance provider

• employer

• airline

PROATUR, the tourist assistance unit, provides 24-hour help:

• call 1500

• email proatur@inguat.gob.gt

See PROATUR Safety tips

Fire and rescue services

Call 122.

Medical emergencies

Call 123 or go to the nearest hospital.

Police

Call 110 or visit the nearest police station.

Emergency telephone operators may not speak English.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia has a consulate in Guatemala, headed by an Honorary Consul. The consulate provides limited consular assistance, they don't issue passports. You can get full consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Mexico City.

Australian Consulate, Guatemala

Avenida Las Americas 7-20

Zona 13 Real America local 24

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Phone: (502) 2334 6817

Email: consuladoaustralia.guate@gmail.com

Australian Embassy, Mexico City

Ruben Dario 55, (Polanco)

Col Bosque de Chapultepec

11580 CDMX Mexico

Phone: +52 55 1101 2200

Fax: +52 55 1101 2201

Email: consularpassports.mexico@dfat.gov.au

Website: mexico.embassy.gov.au

Facebook: Australia in Mexico, Central America, Cuba and the Dominican Republic

See the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

• 1300 555 135 in Australia