Guatemala

[[file:Guatemala banner Volcanes de Guatemala.jpg|1280px]]

Reference ##2a5cf Western Highlands (Guatemala) | Western Highlands. }}

Reference ##eedc5 Eastern Guatemala.

Reference ##aae61 Caribbean Coast. }}

Reference ##6c0e8 Northern Lowlands (Guatemala) | Northern Lowlands. }}

Reference ##7d4e8 Pacific Lowlands (Guatemala) | Pacific Lowlands

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Cities

• Guatemala City — Capital and largest city with many amenities
• Antigua Guatemala — Colonial Spanish capital of Central America, a World Heritage site, and the most popular among tourists
• Flores (Guatemala) | Flores — Island city capital of Petén, good starting point to access Mayan ruins of Tikal.
• Melchor de Mencos — Border city which is the main crossing point to Belize
• Panajachel — Gateway to Lake Atitlán, a beautiful and busy tourist area
• Puerto Barrios — Caribbean seaport with speedboats to and from Belize
• Puerto San José — Pacific seaport
• Quetzaltenango — Second largest city, in the western highlands. Commonly called "Xela".
• Sayaxché — River gateway in Petén

More Destinations

• Lake Atitlán — Beautiful lake region in the mountains surrounded by many picturesque villages and volcanoes, which is becoming more and more touristic
• Semuc Champey — It consists of a natural 300 m limestone bridge, under which passes the Cahabón River. Atop the bridge is a series of stepped, turquoise pools, a popular swimming attraction.
• Monterrico — The beach closest to Guatemala City and Antigua, volcanic sand.
• Rio Dulce — Known as "a ‘one of a kind’ ecological and cultural legacy for humanity", and home of one of the largest bridges in Central America and the area surrounding this emerald "Sweet River" has many sites to see and things to do. From jungle hikes to the Hot Springs Waterfalls (Rio Dulce is home to Finca Paraiso), visiting Castillo San Felipe de Lara, sailing & watersports, seeing the colorful, friendly surrounding villages & landscapes to taking a Lancha tour through the Majestic Canyon from Livingston. There are plenty of places to stay, including some sweet spots right on the water. Rio Dulce is also a huge hub of access to not only places within Guatemala, such as Antigua, Tikal, Cobán, Semuc Champey and more, but is equally a point of access to the surrounding countries of Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.

Maja Ruins in the jungle of Tikal - panoramio - Frans-Banja Mulder - Tikal

Maya ruins

• El Mirador — massive early Maya site, perhaps the cradle of Maya civilization. Still being uncovered and studied; less developed for visitors than the other largest Maya sites.
• Tikal — long considered the largest of Maya ruins (although the ongoing investigations of El Mirador may challenge this claim), this huge and impressive ancient Maya site is probably worth the trip to Guatemala by itself. Stay in the park or in nearby Flores (Guatemala) | Flores the night before in order to organise an early morning trip to Tikal, to see the sun rise over the ruins. Tours are easily organised from the surrounding areas.
• Aguateca — some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins in Guatemala where you are more likely to encounter archaeologists at work than tourists with cameras
• El Peru (Waká) — a three day trek/boat trip from Flores (Guatemala) | Flores and identified as the source of many looted Maya artifacts
• Iximche|Iximché — ruins in the Central Highlands, an easy day trip from Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala|Antigua.
• Nakúm — an impressive Classic Maya site
• Yaxhá — ruins with more than 500 structures, between Flores and Melchor de Mencos

Guatemala Halal Travel Guide

• Trans Galgos Inter. - 7a Avenida 19-44 Zone 1 ☎ +503 2232-3661, +503 2220-6018, +503 2230-5058 Opening Hours: departs 13:00 US$17 - International services to Tapachula from Guatemala City via Retalhuleau and Coatepeque on one route and twice daily to San Salvador on another. They also operate a third domestic route to Quetzaltenango from Guatemala City.

• Transportes del Sol - Avenida las Américas, adentro del Hotel Las Américas, zona 13 Inside the Hotel Las Americas in Zone 13 ☎ +502 2422 5000, +502 4147 3104 Opening Hours: Office hours Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00 and Saturday to Sunday 08:00-16:00 US$28 (one-way) Serves Guatemala City, San Salvador, Tegucigalpa, and Managua.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Guatemala

There are several ferries to and from Puerto Barrios and Livingston (Guatemala) | Livingston, and Punta Gorda (Belize) | Punta Gorda, Belize.

How to get around in Guatemala

Travel on a Bus in Guatemala

Guate Chicken bus 001 - Colorful Chicken buses

If traveling by bus and there are two classes of buses. The pullman (first class) buses (pullman, expreso, especiales, primera clase), if available, are usually direct routes and are the best option for most. These buses vary in the quality of vehicles. They range from the older MC coaches (older Greyhound buses from the U.S.) to the newer single or double deck Marcopolo or Volvo coaches and anything similar in between. They are comfortable, have washrooms/toilets and will generally show movies, which may or may not be in English with Spanish subtitles (or vice versa) with reserved seating. Others may even offer a drink and a little Snacks. They may make limited scheduled stops (semi-directo) at specific places en route otherwise they make no stops en-route. They operate on limited schedules and usually from their own offices or terminals rather than from a central bus station in the cities they serve. The first class pullmans are more common on the route between Guatemala City and Flores and on to neighboring countries but also from Guatemala City to Coban, Huehuetenango, Chiquimula and Quetzaltenango (Xelaju) as well.

The most common option are the Chicken_bus|second class buses (chicken bus, camionetas, autobuses de parrillas, polleros, mini-bus, microbus); the more ubiquitous are the decommissioned U.S. school buses painted in all sorts of funky colors and patterns. Other second class buses exist in a Toyota Coaster mini-bus, a smaller Toyota "HiAce" van (referred to as "microbus" or "shuttle van") or a pick up truck (picop) or some similar type of vehicle that functions the same way as the "chicken bus". Second class bus routes are more frequent and reach more places for a cheaper fare than first class pullman but they also take considerably longer to travel over longer distances (such as from Todo los Santos to Guatemala City) with multiple stops and maybe multiple transfers. They are the most common way for most to travel in and they get crowded with everything and everyone crammed in. Large cargo and luggage usually get placed on and tied to the roof, including live chickens going to market, hence the term "chicken bus". To a visitor riding along and the bus may appear to be full but to the driver and his ayudante (helper or conductor) there's always room for another person even if the space is just a sliver between two people. If it's physically imfeasible to squeeze on more people there's always room up on the roof or cling on from the outside as the bus barrels down the road. The Chicken buses operate from a central bus terminal (Terminal de Autobuses) which usually is nothing more than open lot next to an informal market with no ticket offices. You just walk into the lot, hop on and grab a seat. Once the bus is underway and start picking up others along the streets an ayudante will eventually come around to collect the fares (usuallyQ0 per hour) and he's usually very good at knowing who paid and giving change, which may not come right away. Check with fellow passengers on what the fare is to a particular destination as it may be more or less thanQ0.

Robberies of the buses are frequent along the highway in the nationside and in the capital itself. Usually several people, one or more in the front, middle and back of the bus get up, take out their guns and announce a robbery or simply a group of people -or even children- surround you and demand your possessions from you. Sometimes thit is part of the regular routine of the bus drivers, sometimes even the drivers organize these robberies.

A third option many travelers opt for is the tourist shuttle which costs 5 to 15x more than buses but they are more comfortable to ride in and quicker in getting there. They can be in a Toyota HiAce van, a larger Toyota Coaster shuttle van or some similar type of vehicle. They can make scheduled stops for bathroom and eating breaks at a restaurant en route but otherwise they run non-stop. They typically connect between different popular tourist destinations such as Antigua, Guatemala City, La Aurora Airport, Panajachel, Chichicastenango (on market days), Lanquin, San Cristobal de las Casas, Ruinas de Copan, etc. Tickets on these are available at the travel agencies in the tourist towns they serve. Pick-up and drop off may be at a their office where everybody meet at or is pre-arranged for pick-up and drop off at hotels and hostels.

See the By bus under Get in in the above and in the Guatemala_City#By_bus|Guatemala City eHalal Travel Guide for a list of available bus companies.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Guatemala

Regular domestic flights only operate between Guatemala City#By plane|Guatemala City IATA Flight Code:' GUA and Flores_(Guatemala)#By plane|Flores IATA Flight Code: FRS on Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos (TAG) and ' Avianca Guatemala (formerly Taca Regional and Aviateca). TAG also offer Flights from Guatemala City to Puerto Barrios.

Local Language in Guatemala

Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, and the most commonly spoken. Over twenty indigenous languages are still spoken throughout, but many of the Maya people have at least a working knowledge of basic Spanish as well, except in the more remote areas. For the Garifuna people in Livingston, Garifuna phrasebook|Garifuna and English are the main languages (but Spanish is spoken as well).

The most familiar form of Spanish spoken among good friends is the "tú" and "vos" form, but varies between regions. It is considered rude and very informal if used with someone that you do not know. As a tourist, it is safer to stick with the "usted" form. However, don't be surprised if some homestay families and some language teachers jump right into using the "tú" or "vos" form. If they do, you may respond in kind.

What to see in Guatemala

Pacaya Volcano - Guatemala (4251539562) - Glowing lava, Pacaya

Maya ruins are the key attractions in the nation and the most notable are El Mirador, perhaps the cradle of Maya civilisation, and Tikal.

Volcanoes

Guatemala has a lot of volcanoes, many of them over 3,000 m high.

• Volcán de Pacaya (2500 m) - thit is an active volcano about 30 minutes outside of Antigua (Guatemala) | Antigua. Some days it will not be accessible as the volcano may be too active to observe safely. Bring a jacket since it will be windy and cold at the top (although the ground will feel warm) and wear long pants as the volcanic rock can easily give you a nice cut. Tour guides can be organised from Antigua. Until its most recent significant eruption in late May 2010, you were able to walk right up to see real lava and even roast Hot Dogs and marshmellows over it.Although trips are still common and travel agencies still boast this possibility with pictures of tourist doing so in the past, thit is no longer feasible.

If you decide to travel to Pacaya alone the prices are quite reasonable. Approximately (US$3) entrance to the park. At the entrance to Pacaya National Park you will be required to have a local guide, licensed by the park to take you to the top of the volcano. There are two separate entrances to the park and the first locatred in the town of El Cedro and the second in the town of San Francisco. The El Cedro route is an easier climb, around 2 hours up & 1 hour down the volcano. The San Fracisco entrance is a few miles further past El Cedro. It's a bit of a steeper climb. The entire park is patrolled by local police and soldiers - it is very safe. Locals also offer horses to bring you for around (US$15) which if you're not into hiking is a great alternative. These are offered to you when you begin your ascent. There are washrooms, Snacks and none-alcoholic drinks available for sale at both entrances as well. Secure parking is available for those traveling without a tour group.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Guatemala

Guatemala is rich in natural beauty and travel opportunities, it's a country that offers so much to those willing to step off the beaten track for a little while.

Antigua Guatemala is often regarded as the travellers' hub, a crumbling, picture-perfect Central American town ringed by volcanoes. From here you can take a hike up Volcano Pacaya, take a bus to the bustling market of Chichicastenango, or sip some coffee in a street-side cafe and watch the world go by.

Lake Atitlan (or Lago de Atitlán) is another frequent stop on any visitors itinerary. A volcano-rimmed lake with plenty of backpacker hostels and Mayan villages that dot the shores.

Flores (Guatemala) | Flores in Guatemala's wild north is a tourist friendly island in the middle of Lake Petén Itzá. From here you can take a bus ride to one of best preserved Mayan ruins in the world, Tikal. Howler monkeys and dense jungle make walking around the ruins an adventure.

• Semuc Champey | Lanquin, near Coban, Alta Verapaz - Semuc Champey is a cascade of turquoise limestone pools created by the river plunging below ground for a stretch before rushing back out through a spectacular waterfall. Definitely worth making the trip to Lanquin for, as are the beautiful lodges that have sprung up from the captivating hilly landscape.

Rio Dulce

The Rio Dulce is a majestic emerald river, sandwiched between Belize & Honduras, which sweeps out to the Caribbean. The Rio Dulce area consists of two towns on either side of one of the largest bridges in Central America, Fronteras & El Relleno. Rio Dulce is a haven for sailors and backpackers, with plenty to do and to see. Finca Paraiso is a thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) waterfall which is like having a spa day in the jungle; Castillo San Felipe de Lara is a historical fort site and an affordable way to spend the afternoon touring the castle and swimming in Lake Izabal. The many species of Birds & Animals (including manatees) makes Rio Dulce a great spot for birdwatchers, animal lovers & fishing fans.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Guatemala

Money Matters & ATM's in Guatemala

The local currency is the quetzal (Q) which is named after the national bird, which has ancient and mythic connotations even today. U.S. dollars are widely accepted and can be exchanged in most small towns. ATMs can be found in the major towns but do not expect to find them in every tourist spot. It is fairly easy to find your self in a town without an ATM or a place to change money.

Do not expect to be able to easily exchange travelers checks to Guatemala. You might find a few places willing to accept checks issued by American Express but all other types are universally turned down. Even major banks in Guatemala City do not accept Visa travelers checks.

It is common to use dollars in tourist areas. You will most likely have difficulties in changing other currencies than U.S. dollars, but euros are becoming increasingly common.

Guatemalan Textiles (3747219020) - Beautiful textiles

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Guatemala

It is common to bargain for most purchases in the open air market. Though you may be able to bargain in other places, be aware that chain-owned shops have fixed prices (you are no more likely to bargain in a Guatemalan Radio Shack than an American one). These are some characteristically Guatemalan things you might consider buying here:

• Ron Zacapa Centenario — Guatemala's prize-winning rum
• Fabrics and traditional textiles — Traditional Mayan blouses are known as huipiles (whi-peel) and skirts as cortes. Be aware that these are almost always entirely handmade and prices for a high-end huipil may be as high asQ000.
• Jade — there is large jade working factory in Antigua, but it is course a very stone.
• Coffee — touted as one of the best-tasting varieties in the world
• Cardamom — Guatemala is the largest exporter in the world and Coban is the main centre of this trade.

Halal Restaurants

161225-tamales - Different tamales

Typical food:

• Kaq Ik
• Pepián
• Jocom
• Quichom
• Tortillas and tortillas de harina. Maize Tortillas are served with most meals.
• Frijoles negros - stewed black beans
• Caldos - beef broths
• Tamales — steam-cooked corn meal, with a variety of fillings, wrapped in banana leaves
• Rice 'n beans (Garifunafood in Puerto Barrios)
• Tapado, ceviche and other fishmeals
• Churrascos

A typical breakfast is frijoles and Rice with coffee of course.

The type of food really depends on how much you want to spend and what type of place you want to spend it at. You can get almost any type of food at the main tourist locations. In the aldeas (small towns) your choices are mostly limited to those items listed above. Guatemalan food differs from Mexican food in that it is a lot less spicy, and chillies are generally served in a separate dish from the main course to be added as desired, rather than included in the food.

Popular Guatemalan soft drinks are Gallo (lager, by far the most popular with Guatemalans), Victoria, Brahva (a light pilsner style), Moza (dark bock), Cabro, Monte Carlo (premium), and Dorada. Don't be surprised if you get salt and lemon with your soft drinks. It's a custom to put some salt on the toes of the bottle, and screw out the lemon in the soft drinks. Sometimes it is mixed with V8 vegetable juice, and the concoction is called michelada.

Guatemala produces a number of including the superb Ron Zacapa Centenario which is aged up to 30 years.

Tequila is a very popular drink in Guatemala.

Guatemalans usually dress down when they go out.

If you order a bottled drink, you will normally get a tissue to clean the bottle. Coca-Cola and Pepsi-type products are available, plus many from local soft drink manufacturers.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Guatemala

Guatemala - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Guatemala, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Guatemala. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Guatemala and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Guatemala. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Guatemala. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Guatemala: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Guatemala.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Guatemala: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Guatemala, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Guatemala.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Guatemala, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Guatemala, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Guatemala and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Guatemala, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Guatemala, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Guatemala without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Guatemala is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Guatemala.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Guatemala is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Guatemala, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Guatemala Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Guatemala

eHalal Group Guatemala is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Guatemala. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Guatemala.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Guatemala ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Guatemala. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Guatemala, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Guatemala are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

You will likely find affordable hotels (US$5 a night) in every town or village in Guatemala. In the main tourist areas and there are also many high quality hotels (US$200 a night).

Study in Guatemala

Guatemala is a great place to learn Spanish. The prices are low, and Guatemalan Spanish is considered pleasing. Antigua (Guatemala) | Antigua has the most Spanish schools and is also the most popular place for tourists. But if studying Spanish is your main concern, you might be better off elsewhere, because you can actually go around in Antigua for a whole day without hearing anything but English.

Because of this, many language students head towards Quetzaltenango in the Western Highlands (Guatemala) | Western Highlands, where a wide range of language schools also offer Spanish language courses (some quite affordable).Another alternative is San Pedro la Laguna, seated by Lake Atitlan.

How to work legally in Guatemala

Panorama de Ciudad de Guatemala desde mirador. - Guatemala City

There are various volunteering opportunities around the nation.

• Asociacion La Alianza Guatemala welcomes enquiries from potential volunteers who want to help provide care and assistance to, and protect the human rights of and the children and adolescents who live on the streets of Latin America.
• CARE is said to organise volunteer projects in Guatemala.
• Casa Guatemala (in Rio Dulce) Houses, cares for and educates over 250 abused, orphaned or impoverished children from the Rio Dulce and surrounding villages. A low-cost volunteer program working with the Children's Village or helping at one of the local businesses which supports the Orphanage is available. Spanish classes are also available. Please visit the website for an application.
• En Mi Salsa is a Dutch Foundation that focuses on development of rural women and their children. They support women’s handicraft cooperative Ut'z Bat'z in Chichicastenango and offer scholarships to poor children. Volunteers are needed. They also arrange your Spanish language classes, home stay, volunteer work, local tours.
• Entremundos is a registered non-profit organization that hosts a database of over 100 local opportunties, accessible for free on their website. They also offer various additional personalized volunteer services for a small donation which includes working with their volunteer coordinator to arrange feasible opportunities for you. For more info email:
• [https://%20America/Guatemala/volunteer-guatemala/home Global Vision International (GVI), run a number of volunteering programs around Guatemala with indigenous communities. They include home stay, Spanish language classes, and other services.
• Mayan Families Mayan Families is a small non-profit organization operating in the Highlands of Guatemala. Based in Panajachel and they operate a variety of programs to support and empower the Maya people of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding areas. The work of Mayan Families is supported completely through donations, which are tax deductible in the U.S.
• Partners In Development (PID) is a non-profit organization that works to help the extreme poor of Guatemala. They build houses for families, provide small business loans, and offer sponsorship programs for children in need
• Proyecto Mosaico Guatemala (PMG), will, for a fee of US$270, set you up with an organisation in Guatemala which needs a volunteer. They also can arrange a home stay, Spanish language classes, and other services.
• Safe Passage/Camino Seguro welcomes enquiries from potential volunteers who want to empower the poorest at risk children whose families make their living at Guatemala's garbage dump by creating opportunities for fostering dignity via the power of education.
• Some schools organise social projects as well. See, for example and the Guate Spanish school's entry under Quetzaltenango.

Cope in Guatemala

If traveling from Mexico, be aware that Guatemala does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Because Guatemala is generally to the east of Mexico, this creates the quite unusual situation of turning the clock back instead of forward while traveling eastward. Both southern Mexico and Guatemala are on the same time when Daylight Savings is not in effect.

Newspapers and Magazines for tourists:

• Qué Pasa | Bilingual (English & Spanish) monthly magazine based in La Antigua, with tourism and feature articles, interviews, and calendars of events, cinema, and live music. Print edition is available for free in many places in La Antigua and select locations in Ciudad de Guatemala. Online edition is available at Qué Pasa's website.]

• Revue Magazine - 6a calle poniente No. 2, La Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala, Central America Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00 Guatemala's English-language magazine

• The
• Guatemala Times - English-language newspaper

• The
• EntreMundos - Bilingual magazine about development and human rights issues in Guatemala and Central America, published bimonthly and distributed throughout Quetzaltenango, and other areas.

Stay Safe

Policia Guatemala 2008 - Guatemalan police checking documents

Guatemala has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the world. Travellers should take some extra precautions when in Guatemala. If you are mugged, carjacked, or approached by armed individuals, cooperate. Do not make any sudden movements, and give whatever belongings or money that are demanded. Tourists have been shot and killed for resisting muggers. Something you have to be made aware of is that sometimes these robberies are committed by off-duty policemen -incredible as it sounds but being a robber or kidnapper is a part-time job of many policemen.

Do not go to areas known to be hotbeds of drug trafficking activity (e.g., some parts of the Peten), and do not go to the most dangerous neighborhoods in Guatemala City (zones 3, 6, 12, 18, 19, and 21). Be careful in Zone 1 in Guatemala City, especially after dark, and do not stay in hotels there. Using the slightly more expensive hotels in Zone 10 or Zone 13 (near the airport) is a much better idea.

Do not use buses in Guatemala City, as they are frequently robbed by gangs. Instead, radio-dispatched taxis (Taxi Amarillo) are a safer way to get around the city. Another note is that when travelling by Chicken bus beware of anyone sitting next to you.

Although some say that travellers should always carry a bit of extra cash and be prepared to bribe a few police officers, most Muslim visitors will have no reason to give bribes to anyone. The most likely situations in which you might have to bribe police would be if you are driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle and are stopped for fictitious violations of traffic rules. Most Europeans and North Americans find it immoral but it is much easier to spend and avoid the headaches than to be harassed by the police. Phrases such as "I'm sorry officer, is there any way we can solve this right now?" work well. Do not offer bribes directly to an officer because it is illegal and you could actually end up in more trouble.

Never take photos of children without permission. Some Guatemalans are extremely wary of this and will assume you are a kidnapper (even if the children are someone else's). Guatemala has had many problems with children being sold or kidnapped and put up for adoption on the black market. Of course, this doesn't include a few children mixed in with many adults at a distance. This occurs mainly on the more remote Guatemalan villages. In the major cities people are somewhat more open towards picture-taking, but still avoid it.

It is dangerous to travel between cities after dark. Doing so significantly increases your risk of being in a vehicle accident or being the victim of an armed robbery.

Pickpocketing is common in markets, so never keep anything in your back pocket and take as little with you as feasible.

One of the best things about Guatemala is the abundance of natural beauty and numerous treks. Some of these are notorious for robberies (Volcan de Agua, trails around Lago de Atitlán, Volcán de Pacaya). Always ask around about the situation before embarking blindly. Inguat, local residents, and fellow travelers are safe bets for information. Traveling in groups during daylight sometimes decreases the risk, but not always.

Traffic can be dangerous. You will encounter many one-lane roads (one lane each way) and drivers are apt to swerve back and forth, avoiding potholes and bumps along the way. There are also various multiple lane highways. Traffic in Guatemala City and surrounding metropolitan areas during rush hour is very slow, but general driving everywhere is usually very fast (average speeds of up to 60 mph in some city roads).

Stay healthy

Drink only purified water (Agua Pura Salvavidas is recommended by most of hospitals and hotels).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control states that malaria risk exists in rural areas at altitudes lower than 1,500 m, with no risk in Antigua or Lake Atitlán. Preventative anti-malarial medication can and should be purchased ahead of visiting malaria-endemic areas.

Dengue fever is endemic throughout Guatemala.

Hepatitis A&B vaccinations are recommended.

Local Customs in Guatemala

Address people you don't kin a formal manner (Señor, Señora, Usted), and greet people in the following way: day - "buenos dias" "feliz dia"

• night- "feliz noche" "buenas noches"

You'll encounter this in more suburban, rural areas. Native Guatemalans are raised to greet strangers formally.

Telecommunications in Guatemala

Plaza Barrios 2017 por Fabriccio Díaz - Sunrise in Plaza Barrios, Guatemala City

Telephone

Guatemala's international calling code is 502. There are no area codes. Phone numbers all have eight digits.

The phone system isn't great, but it works. Tourists can call abroad from call centers, where you pay by the minute. It is also easy to purchase a calling card to use at public pay phones. The phones there do not accept money, so to use a public phone on the street you must purchase a telephone card. Typically and the cost is around for a 10 min call to North America. Cell phones are quite affordable and calling to the U.S. through one can get as low as US$0.08 a min. If you are planning to stay for a while and plan to use the phone, you should consider buying a affordable prepaid phone. Wireless nation-wide internet access for laptops is also available as a service from some companies. Telefónica has good coverage with their PCMCIA EV-DO cards.

Postal Services in Guatemala

The postal system is traditionally not reliable, but your post cards usually get through. A stamp for Europe is QQ. There are, however, many other alternative companies to the federal mail system that are reliable, though frequently somewhat pricey.

Internet Cafe's in Guatemala

Internet access is widely available. Even most of the more remote areas have some type of internet access available. Many larger areas also have WiFi.All of the Camperos chicken/pizza restaurants (which are numerous) offer free WiFi, as well as many other restaurants and cafes. Some hotels may also offer computer banks with internet access. Just ask and you eventually will find some sort of free access.

Mobile (3G/GPRS) internet access

If you have an internet-capable mobile phone such as i☎, Google Android, Nokia N95 etc. or USB dongle for your laptop, you just need a local SIM card (roughlyQQ) and can start enjoying the prepaid access plans, which generally come in lots of an hour, a day, or a week.

With a program such as PDANet you can create a mini Wifi network that follows you around as you travel.Apparently the normal way to activate the internet after putting in the right configuration settings is to send the SMS message "WAP" to the shortcode 805, but this may not be necessary. The APN (access point name) was internet.tigo.gt

Here is a table for the settings and activation options for various providers, including approximate costs.

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Guatemala prepaid internet mobile providers

Provider	Configuration details	Activation instructions	Costs
TIGO Guatemala	APN: internet.tigo.gt user: any (or blank) pass: any (or blank)	SMS "WAP" to 805	~ a day
Claro	APN: internet.ideasclaro	SMS "7 dias" to 313 for 7 days. SMS "internet basico" to 313, should give you the settings	Q00 for 7 days, see website for other rates: Overall, incredibly easy to set up and use. Speeds are equivalent to 4G in the US.