Guatemala tours & holidays

Travellers from most nationalities need a visa to enter Guatemala. For more information, please visit the Government of Guatemala’s website or the Essential Trip Information.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

It's customary to add an extra 10% to restaurant bills – if this hasn’t already been included. Tipping elsewhere is optional, but leaving spare change or rounding up your bill at small cafes is always a good idea, as most Guatemalans live on a very limited income.

Guatemala is country with a tropical climate, so pack for hot and humid weather with the chance of rain.

For days spent outdoors, e.g., jungle walks, lightweight, quick-dry fabric is best to keep you cool in the humidity. Make sure you have good-quality closed-toe shoes for walking, too.

The sun can be intense in Guatemala, so bring a hat - wide-brimmed is usually best. Also bring plenty of reef-safe sunscreen and a good pair of sunglasses.

Because this is a tropical country, it’s a good idea to have some rain gear. A lightweight rain jacket is the best for this climate.

Other essentials include a swimsuit and a reusable water bottle.  

Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Guatemala. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water – be sure to ask your group leader where filtered water can be found. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Wi-fi is becoming more and more prevalent in Guatemala’s cities, although the connection may be slower than you’re used to. Remote areas will have little to no internet access, so be aware if you’re travelling outside the main tourist hotspots that you may have trouble getting online.

Using your mobile phone while in the cities of Guatemala shouldn’t be a problem. Coverage may be less reliable in remote and mountainous areas.

Note that global roaming is especially pricey in Guatemala, so if you want to stay connected on the go, it’s probably best to get a local SIM card.

Many tourist sites and restaurants have flushable toilets, although some remote areas may have compostable or drop toilets. It’s a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand soap or hand sanitiser, as these aren’t always provided.

While homosexuality is legal in Guatemala, attitudes are still conservative. It is advised to be mindful of public displays of affection, especially in rural areas.   

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.

We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Travelling from Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

Learn more about safe travels with Intrepid

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.