Travel to Guatemala

Allow us to orient you with general travel guidelines as you prepare for your upcoming trip.

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The following are general travel guidelines for your upcoming trip to Guatemala with ThriveWorx. If you're traveling to the region of Huehuetenango, be sure to also read the Huehue Travel Guide in addition to the general Guatemala information shared on this page.

Specific information regarding your stay, including itinerary and other details, will be sent to you in separate documents prior to your arrival. For additional questions regarding information in this document, please contact the Team Leader from the organization with which you are traveling.

Traveling to Huehuetenango?

The information that follows on this page is applicable to travel anywhere in Guatemala. If you're headed specifically to Huehuetenango, we've got some additional recommendations for your visit. Read up using the button below.

HUEHUE TRAVEL GUIDE

Documentation & Arrival

BEFORE YOU GO

Check the expiration date of your passport - ASAP. For entry into Guatemala, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in country.
Print out at least one copy of your passport, and/or keep a digital scan accessible online. Keep the copy in a separate place from your physical passport.
Print or download a copy of your flight itinerary and travel confirmations to have as a backup for your reservations.
Have accessible the address of your accommodations in Guatemala during your arrival in-country.

ARRIVAL

OTHER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Phone, Internet, & Communication

BEFORE YOU GO

INTERNATIONAL CELL PHONE USAGE & WIFI

Wifi will be available for your communication needs at your accommodations. There are many apps you can use to call and message over wifi – see the Useful Apps section below. As a short-term traveler, if you do feel the need for cell service coverage throughout the day (i.e. while you are away from your accommodations), it will be best for you to talk to your U.S. phone carrier in advance of arrival about their international plan options.

That said, your time in-country is fleeting! As such, we encourage you to be as present as possible. Talk with your team members. Observe, question, listen, and interact with the places and people you encounter. Reflect on what you see, hear, and learn. You’ll be back behind a screen in the U.S. before you know it, so take this time to disconnect.

As mentioned previously, wifi will be available at your accommodations. Expect wifi to be slower and less stable than the wifi you are used to in the U.S.

USEFUL APPS

For easy communication while traveling, check out the following apps:

WhatsApp – Easy-to-use app with messaging, voice call, and video call functionalities.
iMessage/FaceTime – An alternative to WhatsApp, for iPhone users.
Skype – An alternative to WhatsApp, also with messaging, voice call, and video call options.
Google Maps – Download city maps for use offline (instructions here).
Language apps – There are a host of dictionary and language-learning apps that you may find useful both before and during your trip to help you communicate.

Money Matters

BEFORE YOU GO

Inform your bank that you will be traveling to Guatemala. If you do not inform your bank and you make a purchase in Guatemala, the purchase may be viewed as fraudulent and your card use frozen. By talking to your bank ahead of time, you will help ensure that you’ll have smooth access to funds.
Confirm with your bank the international transaction/foreign currency fees that will be charged if you use your card for a local purchase or to withdraw cash.

CURRENCY

USING MONEY IN GUATEMALA

Cards vs. Cash

More upscale shops, hotels, and eateries will accept debit/credit cards, though you may be charged international transaction fees by your U.S. bank. Smaller vendors may only accept cash. It’s a good idea to carry some of the local currency with you, especially if you plan to purchase any kind of souvenirs.

When traveling, it’s always good to carry cash for souvenirs and incidentals. We’d recommend the local equivalent of around $200 USD.

How to Get Local Currency

The way to get the best exchange rate when obtaining local currency (quetzales) is to withdraw cash directly from an ATM. Again, you will want to make sure you’ve talked to your bank about your travel plans before your arrival.

If possible, it is best to withdraw cash from an ATM that is inside of a bank, as some freestanding ATMs have a higher chance of being tampered with. For safety reasons, it’s best to avoid withdrawing from an ATM at night. Exchanging money at the airport is not recommended, as these agencies will charge high commission fees and offer poorer exchange rates.

You may also consider contacting your U.S. bank to order local currency in advance of your trip.

TIPPING

Health & Medical

BEFORE YOU GO

Read through the CDC’s Traveler Overview of Guatemala to make sure that you are taking appropriate health precautions before and during your trip. Also, check that you are up to date on the recommended vaccines for travel to Guatemala.
Talk to your doctor about how to manage any pre-existing health conditions, as well as any additional medication or vaccines they may recommend.
Inform your Team Leader of any pressing health conditions, allergies, or dietary restrictions, especially if they require additional accommodations (ex. refrigeration for insulin)
Make sure you have enough of any essential prescription medication for your trip. Carry this in the original bottle, along with a prescription identifying the medication, dosage, and your name.
Double-check the most recent international COVID-19 guidelines. Your Team Leader and ThriveWorx staff will be in contact to communicate these guidelines as well as any last-minute changes that occur, so stay tuned for communication.

MEDICAL CARE IN GUATEMALA

Health and safety is our number one priority. Should a medical emergency arise onsite, the ThriveWorx onsite team has access to a vetted network of in-country medical contacts (doctors and hospitals). Specific information on medical treatment is managed by your ThriveWorx In-Country Contact.

The most common ailments U.S. visitors to Guatemala experience tend to be stomach-related. By washing your hands carefully before eating, and following standard food and water safety tips below, you should be able to avoid most of these.

If you have food allergies, please do not be bashful in double-checking that what you are eating is appropriate for your medical condition.

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL INSURANCE

COVID-19

Traveling internationally incurs a higher risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 than staying at home. By participating in an international program in this era, you are acknowledging and voluntarily assuming an increased risk of contracting or carrying COVID-19.

It is of utmost importance that program participants take heightened measures to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. This is imperative both for your personal safety, and for the safety of our communities in Guatemala. We ask you read the CDC’s guidelines for travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As in-country COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines are constantly evolving, your Team Leader and ThriveWorx coordinator will be updating you with guidelines specific to your project.

Safety & Security

BEFORE YOU GO

SECURITY

In our experience, and especially in the rural communities we travel to, Guatemala feels like a safe country, and neither we nor our teams have felt at risk while traveling there. Crime tends to be concentrated in more urban areas of the country. That said, crime can happen anywhere. The most common safety concerns for U.S. citizens traveling in Guatemala are petty crime and theft. Please take the following precautions to ensure your safety while traveling:

Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Avoid walking on the streets by yourself, during the day and at night.
Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
Avoid obvious displays of wealth (ex. wearing fancy watches, jewelry) and drawing attention to yourself.
Do not withdraw cash from at ATM at night.
Do not leave your belongings unattended.

ThriveWorx works closely with a wide range of contacts – from local community networks to the U.S. Embassy – to evaluate and act in response to larger-scale safety issues. We monitor closely the security of areas teams are traveling to, and will take action should the need arise.

Cultural Do's & Don't's

Practice your Spanish, which is Costa Rica’s official language. Guatemalans tend to use the formal “usted” for “you.”
Stand up when you are meeting someone new, and say mucho gusto (pleased to meet you).
Greet people when you enter a room or public space. Buenos días (good morning) and buenas tardes(good afternoon) are typical.
Ask permission before taking a person’s photograph.
Embrace the local culture, and try to immerse yourself as much as possible.
Say provecho before you begin to eat a meal, and as you are leaving the meal. Provecho is the equivalent of saying “enjoy your food.”
Be prepared for warm greetings! These can range from hugs to kisses on the cheek.

DON'T

Put your feet on or sit on tables.
Have your phone out and be on your device while around people. Be present and intentional with the communities you interact with
Flush your toilet paper. Plumbing is not able to handle it. Trash bins are provided in restrooms for you to discard your toilet paper in.
Openly point at people. This can be perceived as rude.
Talk loudly in public and draw attention to yourself. Loud behavior is frowned upon.

Transportation & Lodging

If you are going to Huehuetenango, make sure you review related info on this page.

TRANSPORTATION

ThriveWorx will organize private transportation for visiting teams with a dedicated chauffer. You will be met at the airport, and the driver will accompany the group to the hotel and throughout the duration of the program.

Your ground transportation will take you on windy, rural roads, so if you suffer from motion sickness, we advise you bring motion sickness medication to mitigate this.

LODGING

Your lodging will either be booked by ThriveWorx or the organization you are traveling with. Safety, cleanliness, and basic comfort are criteria we commit to in booking accommodations; however, keep in mind that your group’s accommodations may be more basic from what you are used to in your personal travel style. We try to select accommodations that are comfortable, but also local. We always try to book in places that are clean and have wifi, air conditioning, and good reviews. Expect wifi in any accommodation to be somewhat unstable.

More specific details on your accommodations will be sent closer to the start of your trip.

ELECTRICITY

What do I pack?

In packing, you’ll want to account for the weather and terrain you’ll be encountering in Guatemala.

Guatemala has two seasons: dry and rainy. Dry season typically runs November through April, while rainy season typically runs May through October. When packing, keep in mind that even during dry season, it will rain, so be prepared. Though temperatures are hot and humid during the day, they drop somewhat at night. Highland areas will be chillier than lowland areas.

Aside from your standard toiletries, electronics, etc., we’d recommend including the following in your packing list. We advise against packing valuables whenever possible. If you plan to purchase anything in Guatemala, make sure to leave room in your suitcase!

DOWNLOAD PACKING LIST

Food & Water

Water

Tap water in Guatemala is not safe for visitors to drink. Tap water must be boiled or purified in order to be consumed safely. Therefore, we strongly recommend you drink only bottled/purified water. Bottled water is easily available for purchase at hotels, corner stores, etc.

Most nicer restaurants will also use purified water to make their ice; however, if you are unsure or want to be really cautious, you can order your drinks without ice.

Food to Try

Tropical fruits and vegetables that have been washed in filtered water
Tortillas (hand-made corn)
Fried plantains
Refried red beans – served commonly at breakfast
Tamales – corn dough stuffed with meat & veggies, wrapped in banana leaves, and steam-cooked)
Pupusas – thick corn tortillas filled with beans, pork, cheese, veggies, etc.

Food to Avoid

Street food from questionable street vendors
Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables
Drinks and ice made with tap/well water

Travel to Guatemala

Check Your Email

Traveling to Huehuetenango?

Documentation & Arrival

Phone, Internet, & Communication

Money Matters

Health & Medical

Safety & Security

Cultural Do's & Don't's

Transportation & Lodging

What do I pack?

Food & Water

Water

Food to Try

Food to Avoid

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