You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. The southwestern department of San Marcos at the Guatemala-Mexico border and the zone at the border with Belize are especially affected. Some volcanoes are at high altitude, with sub-zero temperatures at night. Please visit the U.S. Embassys COVID-19 information page for more information on COVID-19 in Guatemala. Particularly in small villages, residents are often wary and suspicious of outsiders. U.S. Embassy employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital city at night. Some tourist service-providers build trusting relationships with female tourists and then sexually assault them. U.S. citizens are advised not to hail white-car taxis on the street in Guatemala City. Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad. Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water. Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories), The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada), Ensure the tour guide has a name tag with the name of the tour company. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. Tour operators may not adhere to international standards. A lack of trust in the judicial system and a fear of further harassment or social recrimination discourages victims from filing complaints. White taxis operate independently and are considered dangerous. The final dose must have been administered at least two weeks before arrival in Guatemala. Guatemala City, Guatemala Since September 2020, Guatemala is receiving international travelers. military installations and establishments, stay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments, follow the advice of local emergency services personnel, monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation, know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks, be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip, stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts, carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator, follow the advice and instructions of local authorities, monitor local media to stay informed of the evolving situation, follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders. Uber is also considered safe to use in Guatemala City and Antigua. Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada* It is important to note thatcountry entry requirementsmay not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury. They are often overcrowded. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are prevalent in major cities and tourist sites, especially the central market and other parts of Zone 1 in Guatemala City. 2. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. They have the Biden administration breathing down their neck, and theres talk of sanctions coming in the new year. Report crimes to the police through the tourist assistance program (PROATUR) at 1500 or +502-2290-2800 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +502-2326-4000. Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Buses are frequently targeted by gangs, who may hurl grenades or fire shots as a way of ensuring compliance with their demands or to settle accounts. Zika virus can causeserious birth defects. Drink boiled or bottled water. This site contains occasional affiliate (referral) links to products we trust. Hurricanes usually occurfrom mid-May to the end of November. 122 documents in the last year Trade Adjustment Assistance . Support for victims of sexual assault is lacking. Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. Is it safe to travel to Guatemala during the COVID-19 pandemic? for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Guatemala. But deaths are at an all time low, even with the lack of internal restrictions. There is no requirement to present certificates of vaccination/testing for COVID-19, or to complete a Passenger Locator Form. The kidnappers usually force their victims to withdraw funds from an ATM or to arrange for family or friends to pay the ransom. Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Risk is higher among children,travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time. Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions, including potential COVID-19 vaccine or testing requirements for countries you are transiting through. Local public buses, known as chicken buses, are not safe. International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (, San Marcos Department (except the city of San Marcos) due to, Huehuetenango Department (except the city of Huehuetenango) due to, Zone 18 and the city of Villa Nueva in Guatemala City due to. All U.S. government personnel and family members are prohibited from traveling to San Marcos Department for personal travel, except for the city of San Marcos. Physicians and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for medical care, though most private hospitals also accept credit cards. Its unclear if this applies also to vaccinated tourists, or if immigration agents will turn them away. Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya. Lifeguards are rarely present. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. There have been instances of narco-related homicides in this area, especially along CA-13. Still, there are new restrictions as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions in Guatemala - updated 11 January 2022 Travel to Guatemala. Several ridesharing services are also available but safety varies depending on the company. These two- or three-wheeled motorcycles with passenger cabins are unsafe. . See ourwebpagefor further information. Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Visitors should not leave drinks unattended in bars and restaurants and are advised to decline invitations from strangers to private parties or gatherings. To enter Guatemala, you will need a U.S. passport that is valid at the time of entry. In Guatemala City, there are several radio taxi companies in operation: U.S. Embassy employees are prohibited from using the white taxis. Criminal activity and frequent fatal accidents, however, make these low-priced local and inter-city buses particularly dangerous. Hide Vaccines and Medicines (And Which Parts Should I Visit and/or Avoid? You cannot exchange Canadian dollars in Guatemala. Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Guatemala without restrictions. Military and police forces conduct random vehicle searches along all borders. There is no mountain rescue service in Guatemala. For a list of doctors or medical providers in Guatemala City, please visit our website. Telephone: +(502) 2354-0000 If you take prescription medications, youre responsible for determining their legality in Guatemala. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Please see Fact Sheet for this country/area. Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Ensure your travel insurance covers this. The content on this page is provided for information only. VACCINATIONS: Required: Honduras currently requires travelers arriving from or traveling to Panama and every nation in South America to present proof of yellow fever vaccine. Information may also be posted to theU.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and theNGA broadcast warnings. President Giammattei already went out of his way last month to cozy up to the United States over Taiwan, and any action which makes it harder for Honduran migrants to pass through Guatemala on the way north might be another way to get on Uncle Sams good side. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctors prescription. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. As a friend in Guatemala City tells me, the government is desperately trying to deflect corruption charges. They they removed this announcement from their website and social media. Unvaccinated foreign travelers can expect to either not be allowed to board their plane into Guatemala, or to be turned away at the border. Guatemala has a dedicated tourism assistance program (called PROATUR) whose sole mission is to assist and protect foreign tourists in Guatemala. Avoid areas outside of major roads and highways. Canadian debit cards with a five-digit PIN are not accepted. Last Update: Reissued after periodic review without changes. They can happen throughout the country, but the Petn area is usually the most affected. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years. You may request an extension of up to 90 days from the Guatemala Directorate General of Migration. Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guatemala. Carry a photocopy of your passport in case you lose your passport. Be sure that yourroutine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination. Forest fires occur between November and June. In the past, Guatemalan citizens have been lynched for suspicion of child abduction. You should carry an international driving permit. AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov. If you participate in demonstrations as a foreigner, you may face detention, deportation or denied future entry into Guatemala. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the X gender identifier. Some areas have increased risk. In Central America, only Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama still have Covid entry requirements for travelers entering their territories. Travelers no longer need to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test to enter or leave the country. The Guatemalan border with Mexico, in particular the northwestern corner of Petn, is a high-risk area due to large scale drug and alien smuggling. Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. If youre traveling to Guatemala, we recommend keeping a mask handy in case restaurants demand it. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. People found driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be arrested and may serve jail time. And here we are on January 9, looking like its official this time. Requests should be directed to the attention of the Coordinator of the, The request should be submitted by mail, fax, or. Series of tremors sometimes lead to evacuations of surrounding areas. Be vigilant of motorcyclists who weave unexpectedly across lanes of traffic and pedestrians who unexpectedly dart across roads due to the lack of defined crosswalks. From Mississippi, it was to Sao Paulo; from Alabama, it was Belize . Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. As a result, surrogacy agreements between foreign or same sex intending parents and gestational mothers are not enforced by Guatemalan courts. The infection can be inactive for decades, but humans can eventually develop complications causing disability and even death. Please visit the, If you are considering traveling to Guatemala to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our. Required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation. Trails are not always marked and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer. Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. You must have received your last dose at least 2. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners.