Guatemala Tours

The best time to travel would be Dry Season - November - March, although of course, it will also be the busiest time. If you do travel at this time you also get to experience many of the festivals in the country - just be prepared to brave the crowds. 

The wet season runs from May - October. At this time it can rain for a couple of hours each day and if you are happy to get a bit soggy and muddy at times it can be a great way to keep costs down. There will also be fewer other people to have to share the sites with.

If you are travelling from the UK and US, most flights will go via Mexico with a variety of different carrier options. If you are coming from Europe, many flights go through Madrid or Amsterdam.

The flight is about 13 hours and if you book early, costs start from about £500.  

Once you are on a tour, much of the transport is included within Guatemala, but if you are travelling beforehand, check out local buses. They range from modern to very tired to do your research beforehand. We don’t suggest driving as it can be pretty hairy at times with locals going at high speeds!

When investigating Visa regulations for entry we recommend contacting your consulate and / or embassy as the regulations can and do charge for any given nationality.

At the time of writing, most nationalities, including Australian, UK, US and Canadians don't need a visa to visit as long as you stay less than 30 days. 

The currency is Quetzals and can be changed ahead of time or withdrawn at ATMs in the country. They are widely accessible in towns and cities. If you are planning on changing currency when you arrive, it is often easier to change US dollars rather than GPB. It's good to have some dollars with you just in case if you can. Also worth noting that new notes are better to bring. 

Guatemala is one of the best value in countries in Latin America. Of course, some areas are more expensive than others, expect to pay a premium for things in Antigua and other most popular destinations. Still, a local dinner will only cost you about £5 and for something more up market should set you back about £15.

Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and cities but you definitely need to have cash with you at all times. If you are visiting markets or local vendors, for example, you will need to have cash. 

There are plenty of local dishes to try and also some great options for vegetarians. If you are vegan, speak to your guide as they will be able to steer you in the right direction for restaurants and cafes. 

Here are some of our favourites things you should try:

Pepián

This spicy stew is typically made with chicken, beef or pork. A thick, rich and slightly bitter sauce made of sesame seeds and pepitas coats a medley of vegetables and is usually served up with freshly made tortillas and topped with avocado.

Kak'ik

A sweet-sour broth with a tangy taste, Kak'ik is packed with tomatillos, tomatoes and garlic, pureed and served up with Turkey. A traditional recipe of the Q'eqchi' Maya community, eat it like the locals with a side of chile paste (and a wedge of avocado).

Tamales

These are a staple - a local dish served in a corn husk and stuffed with pork, chicken or beans. Great street food!

On the whole, visitors to Guatemala shouldn’t have issues but it is always good to be alert when travelling and follow basic safety advice. Guatemala City can be dangerous at night so we would recommend you not travel alone and after dark. 

Stick to well lit areas with lots of people and don’t carry your valuables with you. 

Hiking should nearly always be accompanied by a guide, a lot of mountainous areas have dangerous parts. Please pay close attention to the information your tour leader gives you and follow their advice. 

There can be protests and demonstrations pretty regularly in Guatemala, while they should not be directed at visitors, we suggest steering clear of large gatherings wherever possible. 

Avoid taking photos of locals and especially children! If you are, please ask for permission but be prepared to be asked for a monetary contribution. We would avoid this totally if you can. 

We recommend checking the latest guidelines from your embassy before travelling.

For UK citizens:  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia

For Irish citizens: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/

For US citizens: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

For Canadian citizens: https://travel.gc.ca/

For Australian citizens: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

For New Zealand citizens:  https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

In an emergency, the numbers to call are:

Police: 120

National Civil Police: 110

Firefighter: 122

 Medical emergencies: 128

All travellers should have up to date vaccines as recommended by their GP. You should make an appointment with them to talk through what you may need ahead of your trip. 

Yellow Fever certificate may be asked for when you arrive so make sure you have this with you if you have travelled through countries that have a risk of transmission. 

The water is not safe to drink so avoid it, and ask your guide or hotel if they have filtered water instead. 

Altitude sickness can be an issue in Guatemala, especially as you climb some of the volcanoes. Make sure you keep hydrated, take your time and if possible arrive at altitude a couple of days before your tour starts so that you can acclimatise. If you are feeling unwell at any point, please speak to your guide. 

Travel insurance is mandatory on all our trips. 

The wifi and mobile signal should be ok on the whole but can get patchy the more rural you go.  variable, but wifi in majority of hotels you would stay in

Easter in Antigua is the most famous time to go. Expect great parties, amazing food and a brilliant atmosphere to get involved with. You will just have to put up with the crowds!

Cover knees and shoulders for churches and in rural areas. On the whole this is a pretty conservative country so everyone should dress accordingly. If you are heading up to the volcanoes, it can get very cold in the evenings, make sure you pack layers and thermals. 

Tipping is not generally expected but appreciated! Leave about 10% in restaurants and cafes. If you think your guide has done a good job, it’s always nice to show your appreciation. 

Our guided adventures will take you to places well off the beaten track and provide experiences that most people just won’t get, with that in mind we encourage you to check out our growing selection! We have a lot of trips and you may find something you like but if not, please do make contact and we can always tailor make a trip for you.

We try to ensure we work with the BEST local companies but remember, if you’re on a trip and don’t feel like an activity or continuing, you can stop. You don’t need to do anything you don’t want to!