Destination Guide - Guatemala

Guatemala is the Mayan heartland of Central America and often called the land of eternal spring because of the natural wonders it possesses. There are 33 volcanoes which are the highest and most active in Central America, huge volcanic lakes and winding tropical rivers, miles of pristine jungle and thousands of indigenous species of flora and fauna. The streets are alive with the Mayan Indians dressed in blazing colors and bustling markets. The architecture is colonial with columned courtyards and elegant stucco facades. Historically, it has more Mayan ruins than Mexico, the most famous of these is Tikal, the largest of the Mayan cities. All of these ingredients make for a fascinating cultural playground for adventure travel.

Official Name: Republic of Guatemala
Population: 11 million
Capital City: Guatemala City, pop. 2 million
People: 55% Amerindian, 40% Spanish descent, 5% Other
Languages: Officially Spanish, English is found in the tourist areas, and 27 dialects of Mayan as well as 20 indigenous languages
Religion: 75% Roman Catholic, 25% Protestant
Currency: The Quetzal - divided into 100 centavos and the US dollar
Time: GMT minus 6 hours
Electricity: 115V to 125V, 60Hz (http://www.kropla.com)
Major Industries: Coffee, sugar, bananas, and tobacco
Airport Departure Tax: $30 USD (subject to change)

IMPORTANT FACTS

Travel Documents

Citizens of Canada, the US and the UK require a valid passport to enter Guatemala. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the date of entry or entry may be refused. When staying in one place for a couple of days or longer, we recommend that you store your passport in the hotel safe. When venturing out to the most remote areas, your tour guide will discuss where to keep your passport. Finally, it is a good idea to take along a photocopy of your passport (remember to keep this copy and all other copies of important documents and papers separate from their originals) which can prove helpful should your passport be lost or stolen.

Climate

Weather conditions vary from season to season and region to region. The dry season is from October to early May and the rainy from late May until the end of September. Temperatures vary little during the year. The average high temperature is 77F and the low 55F in the highlands. The definitions of dry and rainy seasons can vary, as these occur over a land that stretches from sea-level coastlands both in the south and north to highlands and peaks as high as 3,500 m above sea level. During the rainy season, it is typically sunny in the morning followed by heavy rains in the afternoon. The dry season 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, as it will be less busy with tourists.

Food

Guatemalan cuisine can't compete with that of Mexico, although standard Mexican fare such as tortillas and tacos can be found. Mostly you'll encounter tough grilled or fried meat, meat and more meat. Beans and rice are often the cheapest and best alternative, and the country has a surprising number of Chinese restaurants. The food is safe in the establishments that we dine; however a little common sense with regard to street food is advised.

Water

It is best to drink only treated or bottled water. As well, when brushing your teeth, do not use tap water. Unpasteurized milk should be avoided. Bottled water, soft drinks, fresh juices and beer are readily available throughout Guatemala and are the safest things to drink. Coffee is available everywhere - sometimes spectacularly good, but the best beans are typically exported. Beer is prevalent, in light and dark versions, and rum and Quetzalteca are the nation's favored rocket fuels. Some of the local must tries in Guatemala are borracho – cake soaked in rum and sesina – beef marinated in lemon and bitter orange.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations for Guatemala however there are some health risks including cholera, dengue fever, malaria, hepatitis, typhoid, and dysentery. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for information on health requirements, as this information can and does change frequently. A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel/.

Guatemala Trips

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
1	Guatemala, Mundo Maya Multi-Sport Biking, Sea Kayaking, Hiking and Zip-Lining (8 Days)