Guatemala Travel Insurance Plans

In this article:

• Travel Insurance Plans for Guatemala
• Guatemala Travel Tips and Safety Information
• Other Guatemala FAQs

Travel insurance is not mandatory for entering Guatemala; however, due to travel that may be needed for appropriate medical care, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala does recommend having a travel insurance plan that includes medical expense coverage as well as medical evacuation coverage. While quality healthcare is readily available in Guatemala City, small towns may have no medical facilities.  Many U.S. healthcare plans may not provide coverage when you’re traveling out of the country, so a travel insurance plan is essential for helping to protect your travel investment and ensure you have the coverage you need while traveling.

Travel Guard’s Preferred Plan is a great place to start if you’re traveling to Guatemala, it has coverage for trip cancellation, baggage coverage, medical and evacuation expense coverage and more.  If you’re more comfortable having the highest benefit limits available to help protect your travel investment, Travel Guard’s Deluxe Plan may be the better option for you. All of our travel insurance plans come with access to Travel Guard’s 24-hour emergency travel assistance, so you’re not left to navigate certain unexpected events on your own.

Outdoor activities are popular in Guatemala. If you’re planning on enjoying activities like mountain climbing, scuba diving to certain depths or other exciting activities, consider adding on the Adventure Sports Bundle to your travel insurance plan to ensure you have the coverage you need for those activities.

Travel insurance plans is usually priced between 5-7% of the total cost of your trip. Several factors come into play when it comes to pricing your plan, which may include the product you choose and the number of eligible travelers added to your travel insurance plan. For more details on pricing, check out our article on how much travel insurance costs.

To ensure travelers to Guatemala are safer and more informed, Travel Guard has compiled some popular questions asked by tourists visiting the country.

For the latest information related to COVID-19 travel requirements for Guatemala, please visit the official U.S. Embassy website for Guatemala.

Travelers to Guatemala should take additional precautions due to high rates of crime throughout the country, as well as risks associated with frequent protests. 

Both petty and violent crime is a significant issue throughout Guatemala. Pickpocketing, bag-snatching and theft of unattended items occurs in popular tourist areas, around public transportation hubs and on public transportation. Violent crimes such as carjacking, armed robbery and assault also occur throughout the country, regardless of the time of day. Assailants on motorcycles frequently target individuals on foot or in vehicles idling in traffic. Armed robbery of vehicles traveling on both primary and secondary roads can occur within populated areas as well as on roads linking cities and towns. Express kidnappings, in which a victim is abducted and forced to withdraw cash from multiple ATMs before being released, are also a concern for travelers. It is best to only use ATMs in secure locations, such as inside banks or major hotels.

Guatemala City, the capital, is divided into 22 zones numbered 1-25 (zones 20, 22 and 23 have not been assigned). It is important for travelers to understand the city’s layout, as some zones are extremely dangerous and should be avoided. 

If visiting Guatemala, travelers should avoid carrying valuables or large amounts of cash, arrange taxis through a hotel instead of hailing a cab on the street and avoid all travel after dark. Travel by bus should be avoided due to significant crime concerns. 

Travelers should also avoid large gatherings, as demonstrations and protests have the potential to become violent and can also lead to travel disruptions.

Local laws require individuals to carry identification at all times. While it is generally recommended to carry a passport copy to reduce the risk of passport theft, authorities in Guatemala may fine or detain travelers without their original documents. Visitors should also avoid taking photographs of locals without permission, especially in more rural locations.

Visit the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travelers to Guatemala.

All U.S. travelers should consider enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service offered to U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the embassy as well as helps the embassy contact you in an emergency.

The official currency of Guatemala is the Guatemalan Quetzal. The U.S. dollar may be accepted by some vendors in tourist areas, though large bills typically are not accepted. It is recommended to have a small amount of Guatemalan Quetzals on your person. Exchange currency before your trip at a local bank or during your trip at an airport kiosk. Credit and debits cards are widely accepted though small vendors will only take cash. Be sure to inform your bank of your travels to ensure you can access your finances while abroad.

The official language of Guatemala is Spanish, though indigenous languages such as Garífuna, Xinca and several variations of Mayan are spoken throughout the country as well. English may be spoken by vendors in major tourist spots like Guatemala City, but it is recommended to learn common phrases and sayings before your trip as well as downloading an offline translator app for best practice.

U.S. tourists visiting Guatemala do not need a visa, though a valid passport with one blank page for your entry stamp is needed to gain entry to the country.

The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala is located in Guatemala City. Visit the official U.S. Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

Guatemala has a tropical climate with temperatures averaging around 80°F throughout the year. However, you’ll still see swings in temperature throughout the year. From April to June, temperatures can rise higher than 100°F but then drop to below 55°F from December to March. The rainy season tends to be from May to October with the dry season lasting from November to the middle of April.

The most popular times to visit Guatemala are from December to March when the dry season begins, and temperatures are not too high. Travel picks up again during July and August as people visit for their summer vacations, however, prices tend to increase during these months as well. May and September tend to be considered “off season” as the country’s wet season starts, and travel prices drop.

The dial code for Guatemala is +502, when calling from the U.S. first dial the U.S. exit code of +011 followed by the dial code, area code and seven-digit number of your contact. When placing a call back home while on vacation, use the U.S. dial code of +1 followed by the nine-digit number of the person you’re trying to reach. Be sure to inform your phone company of your travels to avoid service interruptions.

Guatemala uses a similar voltage type as the U.S., so you do not need to bring a transformer to use your electronics. However, a socket adaptor is required for connecting your devices to an outlet. We recommend a universal adaptor that can be used on other vacations in the future.

Guatemala can be a great destination if you’re traveling with a baby as there are activities for people of all ages to enjoy. For information on required and recommended vaccinations, visit the official CDC website for travel to Guatemala or visit the official U.S. Department of State website to learn more about entry and exit requirement to Guatemala.

Solo female travelers can be safe in Guatemala with the proper research about your destinations. Areas like the former capital city of Antigua and Lake Atitlan tend to be safer for solo travel while Guatemala City is not considered to be a good spot for traveling alone.

The best, and safest, ways to travel Guatemala are by private car or a tourist shuttle bus. Be sure to research which companies are most reputable and reliable before booking any transportation.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive and customizable travel insurance plans for travelers visiting Guatemala. With excellent coverage and specialized emergency travel assistance representatives ready to help you at any time, Travel Guard is there for you. Compare our popular plans and find the best one for you!