While there is no legal recognition of same-sex partnerships or marriages, private same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults is legal. for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Guatemala. Due to very high levels of violent crime, you should avoid non-essential travel to certain: Crimes that occur in these areas include: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is prevalent in urban and tourist areas, especially in: Crime tends to increase during the holiday seasons. U.S. dollars may be exchanged for local currency at most major banks. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, information, and general infrastructure, and common in lodging and communication. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements. 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. Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. Guatemalan citizens can travel to different countries with conditions during coronavirus with 138 countries open for travel. Tour operators may not adhere to international standards. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. Customs: Guatemalan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Guatemala of items such as antiquities and other cultural property. Pack atravel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres. An official website of the United States government. Well it's now official - From January 10, 2022, you'll need to prove full vaccination status to . Telephone: +(502) 2354-0000 Guatemala has many different and firmly held local beliefs and customs. U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna, Visit Travel.State.gov for More Information, U.S. Embassy Guatemala webpage on COVID-19. Immigration authorities will determine the length of the extension. Due to a lack of resources within the police force, arrest and detention rates are quite low. It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments. Seasonal influenza occurs worldwide. Still, there are new restrictions as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guatemala. Air Travel. According to LGBTI rights groups, gay and transgender individuals often experience police abuse. Visit our website forTravel to High-Risk Areas. Drug-related armed attacks occur in departments close to all borders. From 10 January 2022, travelers entering Guatemala must show the following on arrival: Proof of a full course of COVID vaccination (two doses; or one for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine) or proof of a medical condition that prevents . Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally. See our webpage for moreinformation on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Hide Vaccines and Medicines Please visit the U.S. Embassys COVID-19 information page for more information on COVID-19 in Guatemala. contact relatives or friends with your written consent. After that, press reports said Guatemala was delaying the change (to analyze the measures, apparently), which was why the Health Department removed all its posts on the matter. Rifles and handguns are very common. Do not travel to: Series of tremors sometimes lead to evacuations of surrounding areas. Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Roads may become impassable and bridges may be damaged. Restaurants and Bars: Open with restrictions . Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset. While the Guatemalan Health Ministry puts out a (now deleted) post saying Guatemala was only allowing vaccinated travelers in, an announcement corroborated by the U.S. Embassy, the immigration department says something else. Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. There is no mountain rescue service in Guatemala. Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our. assist you in reporting a crime to the police. If youre traveling to Guatemala, we recommend keeping a mask handy in case restaurants demand it. Please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 pagefor more information on COVID-19 inGuatemala. 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. The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. In the meantime, also on December 22, Guatemalas Immigration Department updated its own entry info, without mentioning any of this. Support for victims of sexual assault is lacking. This ruling gets underway tomorrow. Its unclear if this applies also to vaccinated tourists, or if immigration agents will turn them away. Find out what types of insects are present where youre travelling, when theyre most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Use radio-dispatched taxis (Taxi Amarillo), INGUAT-approved taxis from the SAFE stand at the airport, hotel taxis, vetted private drivers, or Uber. The kidnappers usually force their victims to withdraw funds from an ATM or to arrange for family or friends to pay the ransom. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business. Local tour companies might underestimate the risk of hypothermia. The full range of medical care is available in Guatemala City, but medical care outside of the city is limited. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally. Criminal taxi drivers often use this ploy. Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad. Last Update: Reissued after periodic review without changes. You must take the equipment/tools with you when you depart. Vaccination to enter Guatemala is now mandatory for foreign (non-citizen/legal resident visitors from January 10, 2022. You may request an extension of up to 90 days from the Guatemala Directorate General of Migration. This site contains occasional affiliate (referral) links to products we trust. For information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the. Ambulance services are not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except urbanized areas. See ourwebpagefor further information. Indigenous Areas: Be mindful of local traditional practices when visiting indigenous Maya communities as tensions can rise quickly and locals occasionally take the law into their own hands. Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver spread through contaminated food and water or contact with an infected person. Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Guatemala should also check forU.S. maritime advisories and alerts. PROVIAL, a roadside assistance force, patrols most of the major highways in the country. Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthlemy (French West Indies), North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea). The 90-day period begins at the first point of entry to any of the CA-4 countries. Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals. Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(502) 2354-0000 Quebec overtook British Columbia as the second most common initial settlement location among this group, landing 68,685 immigrants in 2022, representing about 15.7% of all new immigrants. They have the Biden administration breathing down their neck, and theres talk of sanctions coming in the new year. is an infectious viral disease. Driving under the influence of alcohol is also common. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided. All travelers aged 10 and over must show proof of a negative Covid test (PCR or antigen) taken within three days of arrival in Guatemala. They can occur on the main roads leading to Guatemala Citys La Aurora International Airport. Quality of care varies greatly throughout public or rural facilities. Childrens passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years. Boaters in the Rio Dulce area of Izabal have been the victim of violent armed attacks. Further information may be found on the FAAs safety assessment page. Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips. Bars in Guatemala are . Vlogging to Better Your Brand in Central America, Is Guatemala City Safe? Violent incidents involving foreigners taking photos have occurred. A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. Travelers exempt from receiving the vaccine must show medical certification proving theyre exempt. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays. 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. Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy. (And Which Parts Should I Visit and/or Avoid? New article about Northern Lights photography in M, Guatemala has reopened borders to tourists from these countries, Guatemala travel ban is in place for these countries, Check where to get a quick PCR test for travel near you. Use of radio-dispatched taxis or Uber is far safer than hailing taxis on the street. In order to be permitted to depart Guatemala, you will present the new passport together with a police or Ministerio Publico report regarding the loss/theft to the Guatemalan Immigration Agency (Direccin de Migracin). Eruptions may occur at any time. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated. Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Guatemala by an abducting parent: If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies. Express kidnappings have occurred. It is against the law for drivers to operate cellular phones while driving. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air. Care in private hospitals is generally adequate for most common illnesses and injuries, and many of the medical specialists working in them are U.S.-trained and -certified. Narcotics trafficking is widespread, and large portions of the department are under the influence of drug trafficking organizations. U.S. citizens are advised not to hail white-car taxis on the street in Guatemala City. Read the entire Travel Advisory. prevention of international child abduction. For more detailed information, please see the Guatemala Travel Advisory. The following zones in Guatemala City are of elevated concern due to crime: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 17, 19, 21, and 24. Winter Nights On its own tweet about the matter (see above), the Department of Immigration said it was posting the new rules because of the possibility of a massive group of migrants entering Guatemalan territory. Your safety and security could be at risk. A day later, on August 12, Guatemala about-turned and abolished all this, making it the fourth country in the region after El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Belize to have zero Covid restrictions for travelers. Effective March 11, 2022, the Government of Guatemala has modified the COVID-related entry requirements for travelers to Guatemala: Passengers who are Guatemalan citizens, foreigners, residents, accredited diplomats, or airline crew whose final destination is Guatemala must now present only one of the following: Additionally, Guatemala is no longer restricting travel from those recently present in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Egypt, and Eswatini. 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. An official website of the United States government. PROVIAL, the government roadside assistance agency, patrols most of the major highways and provides updates on roads conditions. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. pic.twitter.com/ev811IFmg4, Migracin Guatemala (@MigracionGuate) January 7, 2022. Masks are now only compulsory in the following areas: Green is normal, yellow is moderate, orange is high, and red is the highest alert. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. In that time, Guatemala has been perhaps the most inconsistent country with its rules, chopping and changing on a regular basis. Taxi Amarillo Express (yellow taxis) is a radio-dispatch taxi service reached by dialing 1766. Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. For more info, visit our Affiliate Disclosure Page. Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 90 daysBusiness visa: not required for stays of up to 90 daysStudent visa: required. Illegal roadblocks are also frequent. Is quarantine required to visit Guatemala? Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Zika virus can causeserious birth defects. Latest Travel Restrictions. Trip.com has compiled the latest updates related to COVID-19 travel restrictions, travel advisories, and travel bans for Guatemala. 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. Information may also be posted to theU.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and theNGA broadcast warnings. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. A Green Cab radio dispatch service operates in the suburbs near zone 15 and the Cayal entertainment and shopping destination. Do not take public transportation, including white car taxis. They are often overcrowded. Only Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama still have official restrictions in place.https://t.co/lcbH7Ev7eG, Central America Living (@VidaAmerica) August 11, 2022, Whether youre a business ownerRead More Vlogging to Better Your Brand in Central America, Pretty much every visitor toRead More Is Guatemala City Safe? See a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic, preferably six weeks before you travel to discuss your options. Children travelling with only one parent or with a third party must travel with a notarized letter of consent from the other parent, both parents or their guardian. For COVID-19-related entry requirements, please see the Health section below. Guatemalan can travel to 1 country if they meet certain conditions. Related disputes could take time and be costly to resolve. Some tourist service-providers build trusting relationships with female tourists and then sexually assault them. ), A Dose of Palm Trees: My Favorite Beaches in El Salvador, Guatemala about-turned and abolished all this, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Belize to have zero Covid restrictions for travelers, only Honduras and Panama still have internal restrictions with any teeth. Trails are not always marked and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer. Top countries include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and Antigua and Barbuda. For more information, see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers. Find out the entry rules for each country, Popular destinations open to most visitors from the United States. Then they changed it again, to January 10. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctors prescription. Drink boiled or bottled water. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the countrys entry rules. Theyre faking concern over Omicron.. Signs that warn of treacherous surf are rare and confined mostly to private beaches owned by hotels. Victims who have resisted have been injured or killed. HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS in Guatemala is concentrated in urban areas. U.S. Embassy employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital city at night. A lack of trust in the judicial system and a fear of further harassment or social recrimination discourages victims from filing complaints. Security escorts for tourist groups are available from INGUAT and may be requested by calling 1500 or +502-2290-2800. Immigration, Health, and everyone else all appear to be on the same page at last. If you travel by bus: Hotel-associated taxis and yellow cabs (taxis amarillos), which operate in Guatemala City, are considered safe. The risk may vary between regions of a country. Last week, Guatemalas Immigration Department posted on its social media that entry restrictions for Covid were still in place reminding everyone that if they wanted to enter the country, theyd need to adhere to existing testing or proof of vaccine requirements. The currency in Guatemala is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ). Some areas have increased risk. Testing and vaccines are now a recommendation rather than a rule. Their emergency assistance call center staffed with Spanish and English speakers may be contacted 24/7 by calling 1500 or +502-2290-2800. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated. Seek advice from a registered travel agency if you plan off-road travel in the remote highlands of Petn to ensure youre prepared and properly equipped. Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Vaccination to enter Guatemala is now mandatory for foreign (non-citizen/legal resident visitors from January 10, 2022. Review the. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure (e.g., are children, have an occupational risk, or in close contact with animals, including free roaming dogs in communities).