Guatemala Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Guatemala is the most populated of the Central American republics and is the only one which is predominantly Indian, although the Spanish have had a strong influence on the way of life. Full names should be used when addressing acquaintances, particularly in business. Dress is conservative and casual wear is suitable except in the smartest dining rooms and clubs.

Photography: Locals are often suspicious of foreigners taking photographs, particularly of young children. Before approaching children for photos, or even just to talk to them, you should check with an an adult that this is acceptable. However, if you are in any doubt, refrain from doing so. You may be asked to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The main airline is TACA (website: www.taca.com). Iberia (website: www.iberia.com) flies direct from Madrid to Guatemala City.

Departure Tax

US$30, usually included in the fare. 24-hour transit passengers are exempt. A security tax of US$3 is payable at the airport.

Main Airports

Guatemala City (GUA) (La Aurora) is 6km (4 miles) south of the city. To/from the airport: A bus runs to the city. Taxi services to Guatemala City are available (journey time – 20 minutes). Facilities: Car hire, duty-free, shops, bars, restaurants, post office, bank/bureau de change and tourist information.

Flores (FRS) is 3km (2 miles) from Flores and is located one hour from the UNESCO Tikal Archaelogical Park. Regular flights operate to Belize and Mexico. To/from the airport: Taxis and shuttles are available. Facilities: Snack bar and car hire.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Santo Thomás de Castilla, Puerto Quetzal and Puerto Barrios. Further information is available from the Guatemala Port Authority (website: www.cpn.gob.gt).

There are regular water taxi services between Punta Gorda, Belize and Puerto Barrios and twice-weekly boats between Punta Gorda and Livingston. There is also a service from Omoa, Honduras to Livingston. From Palenque, in the Chiapas region of Mexico, there are a number of routes to Flores involving a mixture of bus and riverboat travel. Travel agents in Palenque can make all the arrangements.

Several international cruise lines call at Guatemalan ports.

Getting There By Rail

Ferrovias Guatemala (FVG) (tel: 2412 7200; website: www.rrdc.com) is an 800km (500-mile) railway connecting Guatemala City with Mexico, El Salvador and ports on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Restoration of the railway is currently underway, but the line is used mainly for freight. Two steam trains are available for charter by tour companies.

Getting There By Road

The Pan-American Highway runs through Guatemala from Mexico in the north and El Salvador in the south. Access is also possible from Belize. You should exercise particular care when traveling in the Belize/Guatemala border area. Travelers are strongly advised to use only the officially recognized border crossings.

Bus: There are bus services from all the neighboring countries. Border crossings can be subject to considerable delays. The buses used by some companies are comfortable and air conditioned. Ticabus (tel: 2366 4038; website: www.ticabus.com) runs international services throughout Central America.

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Guatemala by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 80 cigarettes or 100g of tobacco.
• 1.5L of alcoholic beverages.
• Two bottles of perfume.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

TACA (website: www.taca.com) runs flights between Guatemala City and Flores. A travel tax of Q5 per person is applied to internal flights and payable at the check-in desks.

Note: Tikal Jets went out of business in 2006.

Getting Around By Water

Regular boats operate between Puerto Barrios and Livingston. There are also frequent services along the Rio Dulce, as well as on the bigger lakes, in particular between villages on Lake Atitlán.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the right. There is an extensive road network but less than a third of the roads are all-weather. Travelers should avoid driving to Panajachel via Patzun as the road is badly maintained and criminals take advantage of these conditions to hold up travelers. The road from the El Salvador border to Cuilapa and from the Belize border to El Cruce are major danger spots for bus-jacking and there are also similar incidents on the main Pan-American Highway near Solola.

Bus: Buses are cheap but crowded and road accidents are common. Slightly more expensive air-conditioned services are available. Transportes Litegua (tel: 2220 8840; website: www.litegua.com) operates regular buses from Guatemala City, Rio Dulce and Morales to Puerto Barrios. The Guatemala City Council no longer permits inter-urban buses to enter the city center; passengers are dropped at various points on the outskirts.

Shuttle minibus: Private minibuses operate on the main tourist routes.

Car hire: International and local firms have offices in Guatemala City.

Regulations: Seat belts must be worn at all times. Speed limits vary depending on the condition of the road but they are rarely enforced.

Emergency breakdown service: PROVIAL patrols the major highways (tel: 2422 7878). Alternatively, call the police (tel: 120) or the fire brigade (tel: 122 or 123).

Documentation: A national license is valid for one to three months, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Guatemala City and major towns have limited, but cheap and regular, bus services. Travelers are advised to use radio-dispatched taxis or taxis from international hotels. Tipping is discretionary (5 to 10%).