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Entering the country

Guatemala's Migration Institute (IGM) sorts nationalities into three categories: A, no visa (including Spain, the United States, Mexico, Colombia and the European Union countries); B, consular visa; and C, consulted visa. The list the IGM publishes is an image with no visible date and there are exceptions not covered here: confirm your case with the IGM or the consulate before you travel. The Migration Code (art. 74) allows tourists to stay up to 90 days, extendable once; Central Americans may enter with their original national identity document or a valid passport, on a reciprocity basis (art. 67). Spain tells its citizens to carry a passport valid for at least six months, provide evidence of departure by return flight or another means of transport, demonstrate sufficient funds and provide a hotel booking or proof of where they will stay. For British citizens travelling from the UK on a full British citizen passport, the FCDO specifies at least six months of validity after arrival and two blank pages. For them, the CA-4 allowance of 90 days in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua starts at first entry and does not restart at crossings between those countries; Honduras also belongs to the agreement but requires a visa for British citizens. According to the SAT guide, when entering or leaving by air or sea, where applicable, each traveller or head of family completes the Regional Traveller's Sworn Declaration on the SAT portal: it is free, can be completed up to three days in advance and is valid only for the travel date entered. The family declaration covers spouses and minor children; adult children submit their own declaration. You must declare, among other things, amounts of money of US$10,000 or more, live animals, plants, weapons and ammunition, and unprocessed food (SAT guide approved on 24 September 2025); the declaration does not replace any permits those goods require. The guides consulted do not settle whether the electronic declaration applies when crossing by land.

Money

The currency is the quetzal (GTQ, Q). The Bank of Guatemala calculates a daily reference exchange rate against the US dollar for payments to the State; it is not an exchange-counter rate. According to the United Kingdom, US dollars are usually easier to exchange than pounds.

Health and emergencies

Emergencies (CONRED): National Civil Police 110 and 120; Volunteer Fire Brigade 122, Municipal 123 and Departmental 1554; Red Cross 125; CONRED 119; PROVIAL roadside assistance 1520. INGUAT tourist assistance: 1500, free and 24 hours. According to the US CDC (page reviewed on 3 September 2026; malaria and yellow fever information updated on 23 April 2025), malaria is transmitted mainly in Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Escuintla, Izabal and Petén, with few cases in other departments, and not in the cities of Antigua and Guatemala City or at Lake Atitlán; dengue and Zika are also present. According to the CDC, Guatemala requires yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged one year or older arriving from countries with a risk of transmission, including airport transits of more than 12 hours in those countries. See a travel health service before you go.

Getting around

TAG Airlines offers the route between Guatemala (GUA) and Flores (FRS) on its website, and the Ministry of Culture cites Mundo Maya international airport, in Flores, for reaching Tikal. This guide does not give flight times, frequencies or prices.

Entry requirements change. Always confirm them on the official immigration website. Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM)