Canada
Exercise a high degree of caution
Exercise a high degree of caution in Guatemala due to high levels of crime roadblocks and demonstrations that occur throughout the country.
Guatemala
High‑altitude volcanoes, colonial plazas and vibrant textiles make Guatemala a living tapestry of Maya and Spanish legacies.
Overview
Guatemala’s Spanish‑language cities, from bustling Guatemala City to the UNESCO‑listed charm of Antigua, sit amid towering volcanoes and highland lakes. Indigenous Maya languages and traditional weaving coexist with colonial architecture, offering a rich cultural dialogue across bustling markets and serene mountain villages.
At a glance
Languages
- Spanish(Official)
- Garifuna(Recognized)
- Xinca(Recognized)
Population17,263,239
CurrencyGuatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
1 GTQ = 0.1309 USD
1 USD = 7.6382 GTQ
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Business Residence, Permanent Residency, Retirement, and 4 more.
Business Residence
- Business Visa
Visa for foreign nationals travelling individually or as representatives of foreign for-profit entities for lawful business purposes.
- 180 days, renewable
Permanent Residency
- Permanent Residence after Temporary Residence
Permanent residence route for foreign nationals who have held temporary residence in Guatemala continuously for five years or more.
- Path to residency
Retirement
- Permanent Residence for Rentistas or Pensionados
Permanent residence route for foreign nationals with stable foreign pension, retirement, rental, or similar income.
Student
- Student Visa
Visa for foreign nationals entering Guatemala to study at officially recognized educational institutions.
- 365 days, renewable
Investor
- Temporary Residence for Investors
Temporary residence for foreign nationals who prove a qualifying investment in Guatemala and the lawful origin of funds.
- 5 years, renewable
Self-Employment
- Temporary Residence for Migrant Workers
Temporary residence for foreign nationals carrying out paid activity in Guatemala with a local employer, a foreign employer, or on their own account. The official guide states that the Ministry of Labor work permit is a separate mandatory process.
- 5 years, renewable
- Limited work rights
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Visitor Entry Requirements
Entry control requirements for foreign visitors to Guatemala, including a valid travel document, visa when required, interview, economic solvency, lodging evidence, and a return or onward ticket.
Languages
- Spanish(Official)
- Garifuna(Recognized)
- Xinca(Recognized)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Guatemala.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing
- to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenango
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these areas.
United States
Level 3Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have higher risks. Please read the full Travel Advisory.
Do not travel to:
- San Marcos Department due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations
- Huehuetenango Department due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations
- Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations
Some areas of Guatemala have higher levels of gang-related violence. Crimes include robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking, assaults, and murders. Local law enforcement often struggles to address serious crimes. This leads to low arrest and conviction rates. Tourists can become victims of opportunistic crimes such as scams and extortion. There is risk of terrorist attacks and other terrorist activities from cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations in San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City, and the city of Villa Nueva. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more. Tourist Assistance Program Guatemala offers the Tourist Assistance Program ( ASISTUR ) to protect tourists.
- ASISTUR partners with tourist police (DISETUR) in popular areas like Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Quetzaltenango, Puerto Barrios, and Coban
- Dial 1500 or +502-2290-2810 anytime from a Guatemalan phone number
You can also message them on WhatsApp at +502-5188-1819.
- Their emergency call center operates in Spanish and English
- You can request a security escort if your group feels unsafe
- U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees and their families are not permitted to travel to the San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City, and Villa Nueva due to safety risks
- U
S. government employees can travel to other parts of Guatemala and visit popular destinations like Tikal, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and the Pacific coast areas in Santa Rosa and Escuintla. However, U.S. government employees should avoid driving outside Guatemala City at night.
- This is due to poor lighting and safety risks
- Outside of Zone 18 and Villa Nueva, U.S. government employees and their families can travel throughout Guatemala City, including at night
- U.S. government employees may not use white taxis or public transportation, like “chicken buses.” This is due to the high chance of crime and injury
- Visit the U.S. embassy in Guatemala City ’s website
You will find local resources, like legal help and medical services. You will also find information on residence and work permits, and driver’s licenses. It also covers rules about bringing weapons into Guatemala.
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