Guatemala travel guide

Getting there

La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City is the main gateway, with some flights to Mundo Maya Airport near Flores; land borders connect with Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.

Best time to visit: Nov–Apr – dry season with sunny days in the highlands.

Tougher months: June to September is the rainy season with heavy afternoon downpours and possible landslides on mountain roads.

Weather by month in Guatemala City

• 24°J
• 25°F
• 27°M
• 28°A●
• 27°M●●
• 25°J●●●
• 25°J●●
• 25°A●●
• 24°S●●●
• 24°O●●
• 24°N●
• 23°D

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/Guatemala. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 86 of 198 other passports can enter Guatemala without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 112 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Guatemala (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-03-12). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Guatemala travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Guatemala are based around Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlán or Tikal National Park. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$25–40 for a backpacker and US$60–120 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Guatemala page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 120 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +502.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Antigua Guatemala (Central highlands · colonial city): A UNESCO-listed colonial gem with volcano views, cafés and Semana Santa processions.
• Lake Atitlán (Western highlands · lake & villages): Often called one of the world's most beautiful lakes, surrounded by volcanoes and Maya towns.
• Tikal National Park (Petén · Maya ruins): Towering temples and plazas in jungle full of howler monkeys, toucans and coatis.
• Flores (Petén · island town): A colourful island town on Lake Petén Itzá and the base for visiting Tikal.
• Semuc Champey (Alta Verapaz · natural pools): Stunning turquoise pools in a remote valley, plus caves to explore by candlelight.
• Chichicastenango (Western highlands · market town): A highland town famous for its market and the blend of Maya and Catholic rituals at its church.
• Quetzaltenango (Xela) (Western highlands · city): A cool-climate city known for Spanish schools, hot springs and volcano hikes.
• Río Dulce and Livingston (Caribbean · river & Garifuna culture): Jungle river scenery leading to a Caribbean town with Garifuna music and food.

Things to do

• Climb Tikal's temples. Watch the sun rise over the jungle canopy from the top of an ancient Maya pyramid.
• Hike Acatenango. Camp overnight on a volcano and watch neighbouring Volcán de Fuego spit lava into the night sky.
• Explore Antigua. Wander cobbled streets lined with pastel houses and ruined baroque churches beneath Volcán de Agua.
• Boat around Lake Atitlán. Hop between Maya villages like San Juan, San Marcos and Santiago on a lake ringed by volcanoes.
• Swim at Semuc Champey. Bathe in a staircase of turquoise limestone pools above a rushing underground river.
• Shop Chichicastenango market. Haggle for textiles and masks at one of Central America's most famous markets, held on Thursdays and Sundays.
• Learn Spanish in Xela. Join a homestay language school in Quetzaltenango, the country's second city.
• Cruise the Río Dulce. Float through a jungle gorge to the Garifuna town of Livingston on the Caribbean.

Source: full Guatemala guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Pepián – rich meat stew with roasted spices
• Kak'ik – spicy Maya turkey soup
• Tamales – corn dough parcels steamed in leaves
• Rellenitos – sweet plantain filled with beans and chocolate

Source: RoamSun Guatemala guide

Money and safety

Currency: Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: 10% in restaurants, often added to the bill.

Emergency numbers: 110 police · 122 fire · 128 ambulance.

• The currency is the quetzal; US dollars are sometimes accepted but change comes in quetzales.
• Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres, and carry cash for markets and rural areas.
• Use registered taxis or ride apps in Guatemala City and avoid walking at night in unfamiliar zones.
• Hike volcanoes like Acatenango and Pacaya only with reputable guides, and check activity and weather first.

Source: RoamSun Guatemala facts