Guatemala
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Guatemala’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
OnNationwide 10thelections Octoberwill 2022take localplace authoritiesin declaredGuatemala in 2023 with the first round taking place 25th June and a “Statepotential ofsecond Publicround Calamity”20th forAugust. 30There daysmay be heightened tensions in the wholelead countryup due to thethese, damageas causedwell byas Tropicalin Stormthe Julia.immediate Thisaftermath. declarationWe allowsadvise theyou authorities to takeavoid measuresall topolitical furtherdemonstrations. protectMonitor local news channels and guaranteevisit the livesTribunal andSupremo securityElectoral (the government entity in charge of the population.election See Naturalprocess) disasters.for the latest information.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance on foreign travel insurance.
You should follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. Monitor local media and consult your tour operator and PROATUR as travel routes are likely to face disruption. See Natural disasters
15,22915,133 British nationals visited Guatemala in 2019.2022. Most visits are trouble free.
Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Take care in all parts of the country, including Guatemala City. You should carry personal ID when travelling (certified copies are fine). See Crime
Avoid travelling on public buses (repainted US school buses). Private inter-city coach services are safer, but not immune from attack. See Local travel
The rainy season in Guatemala normally runs from June to November, coinciding with the hurricane season in the Caribbean. See Rainy season. You should plan any travel carefully. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Centre. Follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. See Natural disasters.
Guatemala has active volcanoes, some prone to heightened activity. See Volcanoes and Local travel.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Guatemala, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
You can contact the emergency services by calling 120 (police) or 122/123 (ambulance and fire).
If you are abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2024-03-20 11:01
FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing and to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenango (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2023-11-15 11:22
Information on protests and roadblocks (under ‘Political situation’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-07 13:21
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-10-10 19:37
Further information on the political situation and protests (‘Summary’ page).
2023-10-06 15:05
Information on the requirement to complete an immigration pre-clearance form before entering or exiting Guatemala and further information on the political situation and protests (‘Summary’. ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-06-22 11:15
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-26 10:46
New information about getting an immigration stamp if issued an Emergency Travel Document whilst in Guatemala (‘Entry requirements’ page), and what to do in case of an Earthquake ( ‘Natural Disasters’ page).
2023-04-28 16:33
Information on travelling to municipalities of Ixchiguan and Tajumulco (‘Safety and Security’ page). Additional information about nationwide elections (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-11-10 12:04
Removal of information about Tropical Storm Lisa (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2022-11-02 03:33
Addition of information regarding Tropical Storm Lisa (“Summary”, Natural disasters”)
2022-10-13 10:25
Updated information that on 10th October, a “State of Public Calamity” was declared in the whole country due to the damage caused by Tropical Storm Julia (‘Summary’, ‘Natural Disasters’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)
2022-08-22 10:27
State of Siege and State of Calamity ended; local authorities change measures against COVID-19 (‘ Summary’ ‘Safety and Security (Local Travel)’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-07-20 18:08
Local authorities change measures against COVID-19 (‘Travel in Guatemala’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-07-13 10:40
Updated information on the extension of the “State of Siege” in the Municipalities of Ixchiguan and Tajumulco by 30 days. Addition of information on new measures against COVID-19 (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-24 18:09
Addition of information about a “State of Public Calamity” declared in the whole country due to the damage caused by Tropical Storm Celia (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages)
2022-06-10 18:45
On 8th June 2022, a State of Siege was declared in the municipalities of Ixchiguan and Tajumulco, both in the department of San Marcos. (‘Summary’ and ‘Local Travel’ pages’)
2022-03-18 09:44
Updated information on entry requirements for entry Guatemala (‘Entry requirements page’)
2022-03-15 17:23
Removal of information on the “State of Siege” in Solola which ended on 19 February, and updated information on restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages effective from 3 March (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)