Currency

Thailand’s currency isGuatemalan Quetzal. 1 quetzal is divided into 100 centavos. The quetzal is named after the national bird of Guatemala, the resplendent quetzal. In ancient Mayan culture, the quetzal bird’s tail feathers were used as currency.

Notes (bills) come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200while coins to the value of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and 1 quetzal.While the quetzal is the only currency used for everyday transactions, travelers should be aware of the current exchange rates, as these can fluctuate. It’s advisable to exchange some currency before arrival for convenience, although numerous exchange services are available throughout Guatemala.

In major cities and tourist areas, credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Visa and MasterCard are the most common, with some establishments also accepting American Express and Diners Club. However, be prepared for some places to add a surcharge for credit card use. It’s always wise to have cash as a backup, especially when traveling to less urbanized areas.

ATMs are available in larger cities and towns but might be scarce in rural areas. Before traveling, inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any potential issues with your card. Also, be aware of the fees that might be applied for international transactions or ATM withdrawals.

Tipping is customary in Guatemala, especially in restaurants and for services like guides and drivers, with about 10% being the norm. In local markets, bargaining is common, but it should be done respectfully.

Please, contact your local bank to get up to date information on possible fees and limitations, while using your debit or credit card in Guatemala.

Tap water is considered safe to drink, although locals suggest drinking bottled water. Bottled water is available everywhere. Filtered water is available at most hotels and lodges, while shops offer bottled water. Milk is pasteurised, and dairy products, local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally safe.

Most traditional foods in Guatemalan cuisine are based on Maya cuisine, with Spanish influence, and prominently feature corn, chilies and beans as key ingredients. Guatemala is famously home to the Hass avocado.

Maize is an important staple food in Guatemalan cuisine, and has been cultivated in the region since ancient times. Hot chocolate also has a long history in Guatemala. Before the modern era, chocolate was seen as a luxury, and cocoa beans were also used as currency by ancient Mayans.

A discretionary 8 to 10% tip is typical for restaurant bills. In some places, a service charge is automatically added.

Guatemala has a tropical climate, but the temperatures and rainfall can vary greatly within different regions. The country’s various weather patterns are mainly the result of altitude and mountains.

Guatemala’s lowland and coastal areas are typically the warmest parts of the country—they have an average annual temperature around 80°F (27°C), but during the months of March and April, the temperature can hang around 100°F (38°C). In the valleys between mountains, which range from 4,000–6,000 feet (1,200–1,800 m), the temperature is usually mild. Big cities like Quetzaltenango, Guatemala City, and Antigua are found here, and tend to enjoy comfortable temperatures around 60°F–70°F (16°C–21°C) all year. Atop mountains and volcanoes, the temperature can drop to below freezing.

Temperatures are generally cooler in Guatemala from November–February. If you want to travel during this time of year, be sure to bring warm clothing, especially if you’re planning on hiking mountains or volcanoes. March and April are the warmest months of the year.

Guatemala has a dry and rainy season. The dry season, or verano, lasts from November until the beginning of May. If you’re looking to spend a substantial portion of your time outdoors, this is the best time of year to go.

The rainy season, or invierno, usually lasts from May until November. During the rainy season, the mornings are usually clear, with daily showers occurring in the afternoon. The rain is heaviest during September and October.

In general, the Pacific Slope and Western Highlands are the wettest parts of Guatemala — they receive around 30–60 inches (76–150 cm) of rain a year. Parts of the Central Highlands tend to average around 20–30 inches (51–76 cm ) of rain each year. Petén sees about 80–150 inches (200–381 cm) of rain annually, much of which falls throughout the whole year. The Caribbean Coast tends to be the rainiest place in Guatemala.

Do note, however, that rainfall will vary greatly depending on what side of a mountain chain you’re on. Rainfall can also vary from year to year due to El Niño or La Niña. El Niño usually results in a longer dry season.

Transport in Thailand is varied, with no one dominant means of transport. Nevertheless, bus transport could be marked as the most popular within cities and for short-distance trips. There are a number of Guatemalan bus and van transport companies that most travelers use to get from the airport in Guatemala City to Antigua, Lake Atitlan in the Western Highlands of Guatemala and Monterrico on the Pacific coast.

Some first-class bus operators (such as Litegua between Guatemala City and Puerto Barrios, Fuente del Norte between Guatemala City and Flores, and Monja Blanca to Cobán) run safe, modern air-conditioned buses for longer distances. In some parts of Guatemala City passengers on public buses are vulnerable to crime therefore it is not a good idea to take public buses in Guatemala City nor from Guatemala City to other destinations. Shuttles and taxis (often tuk-tuks)are the better option.

Guatemala transportation formerly included railways but there are no passenger trains available now.

In major cities like Guatemala City, taxis and ride-sharing services such as Uber are readily available. For safety and fair pricing, it’s recommended to use recognized taxi companies or book rides through apps. Always agree on a fare before starting your journey, and take extra precautions at night, especially in unfamiliar areas.

The central gateway to Guatemala by air is La Aurora International Airport, located about 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi) south of Guatemala City’s center and 25 km (16 mi) from Antigua Guatemala.The airport is the fourth-busiest in Central America in terms of passenger traffic. It is a hub for the two major Guatemalanational carriers:TAG Airlines and Avianca Guatemala.

From La Aurora International Airport, there are departures to most South American countries;USA, Mexicoand Canada (Jet Blue, United, Air Transit) in Northern America; and Spain in Europe (Iberia).

The fastest way to get from Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Guatemala City is to taxi which takes 10-20 minutes and costs aroundUS $7 – $15 (depending on traffic and time of a day).There is a direct bus between Guatemala City Airport to Guatemala Cityarriving at Tipografía (near Tipografía Subway Station) with travel time around 30 minutes.

The Guatemala rainy season runs from May through October. The amount of rain is really quite minimal, but when it rains it pours. So, if you’re visiting Guatemala during this window, it’s essential to bring a waterproof jacket. The climate is humid so a light and thin jacket like the Columbia Switchback is best.

No matter what time of year you plan to visit, sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are a must for your Guatemalan adventure. There are mountains galore to explore if that’s your thing, but if not, still pack comfortable shoes. Your feet and your ankles will thank you when you are exploring the cobblestone streets of Antigua.

For hiking Acatenango, you need proper hiking shoes that have already been broken in. Regular sneakers do not provide the grip and strong ankle support that’s needed for the rough terrain.

The Pacific coast of Guatemala is known for its hot and humid weather, high temperatures and great surf. You’ll want to have some sunscreen, a sun hat, swimwear and warm-weather clothing on your packing list if you plan on visiting the beach.

Please note that another must-have for Guatemala is insect repellent: Malaria, Zika, and Chikungunya are mosquito-transmitted diseases that used to exist on the coast. The beach may also have sand flies that come out after sunset.

The locals, especially those of Maya descent are very modest and conservative in their dress. With this in mind, it is thoughtful for visitors to be somewhat conservative in their dress. Local men would never wear shorts in public, and women would not wear revealing or suggestive clothing.

Visitors to Guatemala must obtain a visa from one of the Guatemalan diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. Holders of passports of the following 86 jurisdictions can visit Guatemala without a visa for up to 90 days. Among visa exempt countries there are (as for October 2023):

Europe: All European Union members states, Andorra, Iceland, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City

Africa: Madagascar, South Africa, São Tomé and Príncipe

Asia: Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan

The Middle East: Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.

Oceania:  Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay.

For the full and up to date list please visit Guatemala Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and Guatemala’s diplomatic mission resources in your country.