General Information

Climate Clothes to Bring Communications Credit Cards Currency Customs

Departure Tax Entry Requirements Government Holidays Healthcare Language

Market Days Population Taxes Time Zone Tipping Topography

Climate
Weather conditions vary from season to season and region to region. The dry season is from October to early May and the rainy from late May until the end of September. Temperatures vary little during the year. The average high temperature is 77°F and the low 55°F in the highlands.
Clothes to Bring
While in Guatemala City and the highlands area wear spring clothing and a sweater at night. Comfortable walking shoes are suggested. While at archaeological sites and the lowlands, light-colored, lightweight, cotton clothing is recommended. Sunglasses and a hat are recommended while on tours or at the beach.
Communications
Direct dial service lo the U.S. is available throughout the country. Telex, fax, cable TV, radio, and Internet arc all easily found.
Credit Cards
Hotels, restaurants and shops in Guatemala and most of the tourism areas accept most major credit cards. Traveler's checks can be exchanged at most banks.
Currency
The local currency is the Quetzal, named for the national bird. The US dollar is now accepted as legal currency. Exchange rates fluctuate so check with your hotel for the current exchange rate.
Customs Requirements
These requirements change often without notice. Check with your travel agent or a local Guatemalan consulate.
Departure Tax
Air passengers pay US$30 or 237 quetzals, at the time of publishing. Land and sea departure taxes vary according to the area you are exiting.
Entry Requirements
These requirements change at times without public notice so check with your travel agent or a local Guatemalan consulate. Passports are required for visitors outside the Central American region.
Government
Guatemala has a democratically elected government with elections every four years.
Holidays
January 1st May 1st June 30th August 15th New Year's Day Labour Day Army Day Virgin de La Asunción September 15th October 20th November 1st December 25th Independence Day Revolution of 1944 All Saint's Day Christmas Day
January On January 15, the day of the Black Christ is celebrated in Esquipulas. February Lent processions begin throughout Guatemala. March/April Lent and Easter week processions throughout Guatemala. The largest processions occur in Antiqua Guatemala on Good Friday. May On May 2and 3, the Day of the Cross is celebrated with colorful traditions at Lake Amatitlán near Guatemala City. On May 9, Jueves de Ascención is celebrated with traditional music, flowers and prayers at Lake Chicabal. Please be very respectful of this tradition and do not take photographs. July July 25 is the town fair in Antigua Guatemala, with parades, music and other festivities. On July 27 the annual Rabin Ajau beauty pageant is held in Cobán, with traditional dances and music. August On August 15, Guatemala City celebrates the day of our Lady of the Ascension. September September 15 is the national holiday to commemorate Guatemala's independence from Spain in 1821. The largest holiday fair is in Quetzaltenango. October On October 20, Guatemalans celebrate the overthrow of dictator Jorge Ubico in 1944 and the beginning of 10 years of revolutionary government known as the "10 Years of Spring." November All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1, is celebrated with unique traditions throughout Guatemala. Giant kites are flown in the cemeteries of Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango near Antiqua Guatemala. Many Guatemalans feast on a traditional food know as fiambre. An unusual horse race is held in Todos Santos Cuchumatán. December The town fair in Chichicastenango culminates on December 21 with traditional dances and music. Nativity scenes, hand-made Christmas ornaments and small processions known as "posadas" create a joyful atmosphere during December.
Healthcare
Modern, clean, and sanitary conditions and facilities can be found in most parts of the country.
Language
The official language is Spanish, but English is spoken in the popular tourism areas. Over 20 indigenous languages are still spoken.
Market Days
Most village markets are not open daily. The different towns have different days of the week to trade and shop. Some of the better known markets are provided below.
Sunday Chichicastenango, El Quiché Momostenango, Totonicapán Nahualá, Sololá Nebaj, El Quiché Patzún, Chimaltenango San Cristóbal, Totonicapán La Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez Santa Maria Chiquimula, Totonicapán Comalapa, Chimaltenango San Mateo lxtatán, Huehuetenango Todos Santos, Huehuetenango Tecpán, Chimaltenango San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá Tactic, Alta Verapaz Tamah, Alta Verapaz Tucur, Alta Verapaz San Cristóbal Verapaz, Alta Verapaz San Martin Sacatepéquez, Quetzaltenango Monday La Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez Chimaltenango, Chimaltenenago Zunil, Quetzaltenango Tuesday Comalapa, Chimaltenango Patzún, Chimaltenango San MartinJilotepeque, Chimaltenango Sololá, Sololá Olintepeque, Quetzaltenango Wednesday Chimaltenango, Chimaltenango Patzicia, Chimaltenango Thursday La Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez Chichicastenango, El Quiché Nebaj, El Quiché Sacapulas, El Quiché San Mateo Ixtatán, Huehuetenango Todos Santos, Huehuetenango San Sabastián, Huehuetenango San Juan Atitlán, Sololá San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango Tecpán, Chimaltenango Nahualá, Sololá San Lucas Toliman, Sololá Tactic, Alta Verapaz Tamah, Alta Verapaz Tucur, Alta Verapaz San Cristóbal Verapaz, Alta Verapaz San Martin Sacatepéquez, Quetzaltenango Friday Comalapa, Chimaltenango Chimaltenango, Chimaltenango Patzún, Chimaltenango San Francisco El Alto, Totonicapán Sololá, Sololá Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez Saturday La Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez Patzicia, Chimaltenango Totonicapán, Totonicapán
Population
The population is approximately 12 million. Guatemalans are a mix of indigenous, Ladinos and Garifunas. There is also a population of U.S., Canadian and European residents.
Taxes
Goods and services are subject to a 12% value-added tax (IVA). Hotels also have an additional 10% tourism tax.
Time Zone
Guatemala is in the Central Standard Time zone and does not observe daylight-savings time.
Tipping
Generally, a 10% tip is appropriate for restaurants. Ask if the trip is included since some establishments add it to the bill.
Topography
Guatemala covers 42,000 square miles and is at the northern end of the Central American isthmus (It is approximately the size of the state of Kentucky). It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea and Belize to the east and El Salvador and Honduras to the southeast. The country is comprised of towering mountains and majestic volcanoes, temperate plateaus, tropical lowlands, desert-like river valleys, lowland jungles and swamps.

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