UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala

Citizens of 83 countries including the United Kingdom, European Union nations, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can enter Guatemala without a visa for tourism for up to 90 days. Passports must be valid for six months beyond arrival. The CA-4 Agreement allows free movement between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, though the 90-day period applies collectively. Extensions of 30 days are available before expiry for a fee. Travelers from yellow fever transmission areas must present vaccination certificates. Verify current requirements at Guatemalan embassies, as regulations may change.

The official currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ), named after the resplendent quetzal bird. While major credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard primarily) are accepted at upscale hotels, restaurants, and tour agencies, businesses commonly add 5-7% surcharges for card payments. Guatemala operates largely on cash, particularly in rural areas. ATMs are readily available in cities and towns near heritage sites, dispensing quetzales only with withdrawal limits around GTQ 2,000 per transaction. International visitors should notify banks before travel. Carrying sufficient cash is essential for archaeological sites and remote locations with limited card infrastructure.

Spanish is the official language, spoken by 93% of the population. Twenty-two Mayan languages remain actively used in rural areas, with K'iche' being the second most spoken with nearly one million speakers. The 2003 Language Law recognises Mayan, Xinca, and Garifuna languages as national languages. English is spoken at major tourist sites, hotels, and heritage visitor centers, with staff accustomed to assisting international travelers. Basic Spanish phrases are helpful for communication outside tourist areas. Translation applications can facilitate interactions. Archaeological sites provide multilingual interpretive materials.

Guatemala's tropical climate varies dramatically by elevation, creating distinct regional weather patterns. Lowland archaeological sites and coastal areas remain warm year-round at 25-27°C, reaching 38°C during March-April. Highland cities including Guatemala City and Antigua enjoy comfortable temperatures of 16-21°C throughout the year, with cool evenings dropping to 12-17°C. The dry season (November-April) offers ideal conditions for heritage visits with minimal rainfall. The rainy season (May-October) brings afternoon thunderstorms. Plan visits during dry months for optimal archaeological site accessibility and photography conditions.