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Guatemala is a magical country in the Mayan heartland of Central America. Indigenous Guatemalan culture is alive and well in the ancient ruins of Tikal, the Mayan/Catholic rituals and open market of Chichicastenango, and the blazing colors of everyday Mayan dress. The colonial town of Antigua, and Lake Atitlan, viewed by many as the most beautiful lake in the world, are two destinations guaranteed to enlighten the soul. |
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| GEOGRAPHY |
| Guatemala comprises an area of 109,000 sq km, with mountainous forest highlands and jungle plains. The western highlands, linked by the Interamericana, are the continuation of Chiapas' Sierra Madre, and include 30 volcanoes reaching heights of 3800 meters in the Cuchumatanes range northest of Huehuetenango. Land that has not been cleared for Maya milpas (cornfields) is covered in pine forests. Many of the volcanoes are active, making this area subjected to earthquakes. Major quakes struck in 1773, 1917 and 1976.
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| MONEY EXCHANGE |
Currency: Quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos.
Notes are in denominations of Q500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 1 and 0.5. Coins are in denominations of 25, 10 and 5 centavos.
Currency exchange: The Quetzal is extremely difficult to obtain outside Guatemala or exchange after leaving Guatemala, and visitors are strongly advised to exchange local currency before departure. It may be difficult to negotiate notes which are torn. Unused local currency can be exchanged at the bank at the airport (opening hours: 0700-2000 Monday to Friday; 0800-2000 weekends and public holidays.)
Credit cards: Visa and American Express are accepted, whilst Diners Club and MasterCard have a more limited acceptance. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.
Travellers cheques: Accepted by most banks and good hotels, although visitors may experience occasional problems. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.
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| PEOPLE |
In Guatemala's population of 10 million people, the division between Maya and Spanish descent is much stricter than in other countries of Central America. Today, the society is divided between the ladino and Maya peoples.
Maya culture expresses itself in many ways. The most noticeable to visitors is the beautiful traditional clothing worn by Maya women. Each village has its own unique style of dress, and within the village style there can be variations according to social status.
Maya languages are still in use everyday for most Maya, with 21 different languages spoken from different regions of the country. Maya religion, firmly based in nature, is also still practiced by Maya people.
Guatemalans of European ancestry form the elite of the modern commercial, bureaucratic and military upper classes.
Spanish is the official national language, but in practice 23 different languages are spoken in Guatemala, including Spanish, Garifuna and 21 Maya languages. Many Maya people speak Spanish, but one can not assume for sure that they do. Many Maya women and children do not speak Spanish. Maya children do not learn Spanish until they start school.
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| SHOPPING |
Guatemalan handicrafts, especially the brilliantly colorful weavings and textiles, are worldwide famous. Wall hangings, clothing, especially the beautiful embroidered huipiles (blouses) and the cortes (skirts), purses, belts, sashes, friendship bracelets, tablecloths, bedspreads and many other woven items are almost irresistible.
Other notable handicrafts include the blankets made in Momostenango, the wood carvings of El Remate and the ceramics of Antigua.
The largest handicrafts markets take place on Thursdays and Sundays, particularly the market in Chichicastenango and the permanent market in Panajachel. Many fine items are also available in Antigua, but the prices are higher. It is normal to bargain until buyer and seller arrive at a mutually agreeable price.
Banks are generally open from 8:30 or 8:00 am to around 6:00 pm on weekdays (until 7:00 or 8:00 pm in some places), and on Saturdays from around 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Shops open about 9am and close for lunch around 12:30 or 1:00 pm, reopening an hour or so later, and remaining open till about 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday; on Saturdays, many shops close for the day at 12:30 or 1:00 pm. Government office hours are officially Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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| TAX |
A tax equivalent to about US$10 is levied on travelers departing Guatemala by air.
Guatemala's IVA (a value-added tax) is 10%, and there is also a 10% tax on hotel rooms to pay for the activities of the Guatemala Tourist Commission (INGUAT).
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| HOLIDAYS & FESTIVITIES |
| Jan |
1 |
New Year's Day |
| Mar |
Varies |
Holy Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday |
| Apr |
Varies |
Holy Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday |
| May |
1 |
Labour Day |
| Jun |
30 |
Army Day |
| Aug |
15 |
Guatemala city |
| Sep |
15 |
Independence Day |
| Oct |
20 |
Revolution of 1944 |
| Nov |
1 |
All Saints' Day |
| Dec |
24 |
Christmas Eve |
| 25 |
Christmas |
| 31 |
New Years's Eve |
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| COUNTRY ORIENTATION |
No tourist visa required for U.S. citizens. Enter the country with only a valid passport.
Guatemalan handicrafts, especially the brilliantly colorful weavings and textiles, are worldwide famous. Wall hangings, clothing, especially the beautiful embroidered huipiles (blouses) and the cortes (skirts), purses, belts, sashes, friendship bracelets, tablecloths, bedspreads and many other woven items are almost irresistible.
Other notable handicrafts include the blankets made in Momostenango, the wood carvings of El Remate and the ceramics of Antigua.
The largest handicrafts markets take place on Thursdays and Sundays, particularly the market in Chichicastenango and the permanent market in Panajachel. Many fine items are also available in Antigua, but the prices are higher. It is normal to bargain until buyer and seller arrive at a mutually agreeable price.
Banks are generally open from 8:30 or 8:00 am to around 6:00 pm on weekdays (until 7:00 or 8:00 pm in some places), and on Saturdays from around 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Shops open about 9am and close for lunch around 12:30 or 1:00 pm, reopening an hour or so later, and remaining open till about 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday; on Saturdays, many shops close for the day at 12:30 or 1:00 pm. Government office hours are officially Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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| WEATHER |
Weather conditions vary from season to season and region to region. The dry season, from late-December to mid-April, is the most pleasant time, climatically, to be in Guatemala. Along with summer holidays, however, this is also the busiest time. Although the rain may restrict some activities during the wet season, it's still worthwhile planning your trip for this time of year, particularly as you'll be more likely to pick up accommodation bargains. If you're planning to be in the area around Easter, try to be in Antigua for Semana Santa (Holy Week), the highlight of the country's festival calendar.
Generally speaking, the dry season (referred to as summer) is from October to early May. Rain is extremely rare to non-existant in many areas of the country during this time. The rainy season (referred to as winter) lasts from late May to the end of September and is characterized by almost daily afternoon showers in most regions.
Some areas of the country have longer rainy seasons than others. The Caribbean side of the country is occasionally the target of hurricanes and tropical storms which blow in from the sea. Near the end of 1998 Hurricane Mitch hit Central America with a punishing force producing devastating damage throughout the region.
Temperatures are almost invariably hot and humid in the lowlands (Pacific Coast, northern jungle, and eastern lowlands). The highlands (including Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Guatemala City, Chichicastenango, and Quetzaltenango) are much milder due to altitude. Temperatures are coolest in the months of January and February and tend to be significantly warmer in April and May.
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