Planning Your Trip to Guatemala
Whether you have a few days or a couple of weeks, a little planning lets you make the most of your time here. Guatemala is a small country, but it holds a great deal and its distances are often slower to cover than the map suggests.
Getting here
Guatemala has one international airport: La Aurora (GUA), in Guatemala City. There are direct flights from several major US hubs (NY, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, LAX, Houston) as well as from Mexico City. If you're travelling from Europe and would rather not connect through the United States, Iberia flies direct from Madrid. There are also Avianca flights one stop flight through Colombia.
A departure tax of US$30 is included on your departure flight.
Electronic Regional Travellers - mandatory for all travellers entering or leaving Guatemala.
Can be completed up to 3 days before your flight, available in Spanish or in English and generates a QR code and declaration number sent to your email, which immigration will ask on arrival. Have it on hand!
When to come
Guatemala is often called the Land of Eternal Spring, and the climate is mild for most of the year. That said, the country packs in a remarkable number of microclimates, so on a single trip you might meet warm sun, a mountain chill, and an afternoon downpour in the jungle.
There are two broad seasons:
Dry season (November to April) brings reliably sunny days and is the most popular time to travel. December and January nights can turn genuinely cold in the highlands, so pack a warm layer. The busiest periods are around Christmas, New Year and Easter, when hotel rates rise and the best rooms book up well in advance — in practice, demand builds from late November and holds through Easter.
Green season (May to October) typically means bright mornings followed by afternoon showers. Crowds thin out, archaeological sites feel more peaceful, and the landscape is at its most lush. October falls within hurricane season and sees the heaviest rains. Trails in the highlands can get muddy, and jungle travel takes a little more patience.
Before you arrive
Staying connected. Connectivity is good in Guatemala City and Antigua, and most hotels and restaurants offer wifi. We'd suggest arranging an international roaming or eSIM option with your provider before you leave home. To call Guatemala from abroad, dial your international access code, then 502, followed by the local number.
Time. Guatemala is GMT-6 and does not observe daylight saving, so the offset from the UK shifts by an hour between British summer and winter.
Electricity. The supply is 110V, with US-style flat two-pronged plugs. Travellers from the UK will need an adapter, and anything not rated for 110V will also need a voltage converter.
Money. The local currency is the quetzal. Some tourist-facing businesses accept US dollars, but only crisp, unmarked notes — torn or written-on bills are routinely refused, even at banks. Major credit cards are widely accepted in established hotels and restaurants, and ATMs are available in all the main towns. It's always wise to carry a backup card or some cash in case a machine declines.
PAYMENT
To confirm your trip, we ask for full payment in advance. Hotels hold rooms only provisionally until we settle the booking, so during high season in particular, payment is what secures your accommodation.
An international wire transfer is the more economical option. Card networks charge us a commission of 4–6% per transaction, which we have to pass on if you choose to pay by card.
All rates are quoted in US dollars and include 12% VAT, plus the 10% INGUAT tax that applies to hotel lodging.
CANCELLATION
Plans change, and if something comes up you're welcome to move your trip to a future date. Should you need to cancel outright, our terms follow those of the hotels and suppliers we book on your behalf:
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90 days or more before arrival: 80% refund
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60-89 days beofre arrival 50% refund
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39 to 59 days before arrival: partial refund, depending on deposits already committed to suppliers
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Fewer than 30 days before arrival: non-refundable
Note: Casa Santo Domingo have a no change no cancellation policy. This hotel is no re-fundable policy. TAG Airlines depends on the ticket you purchased they have different cancellation policies.
Early departures, early check-outs and no-shows are charged in full against the bookings reserved.