4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Road conditions are different from those in Canada. Driving in late afternoon or after dark on highways or intercity roads is not recommended, even close to tourist destinations. Secondary streets and rural roads are poorly lit. Due to the lack of law enforcement, local motorists rarely obey traffic laws. The Inter-American Highway and the road from Guatemala City to the Atlantic Ocean are dangerous because of heavy traffic. Winding and steep mountain roads and the lack of road signs present additional dangers. Off-road travel in the remote highlands should be done only after seeking advice from the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala City. Road trips should be undertaken in convoy. Roadblocks erected by armed gangs are common, particularly in the northern and western departments of San Marcos, Huehuetenango, El Quiché, Alta Verapaz, El Petén, and Escuintla. Some criminals have in the past even posed as police officers. Travellers should comply and not resist if attacked. Always drive with windows closed and doors locked. In the event of a vehicle accident, the police can be contacted by calling 110 or 120, and the fire department and paramedics by calling 122 and 123.
Use only official taxis. For security reasons, schedule arrival at La Aurora Airport during the day or early evening.Local and intercity public buses are mechanically unreliable and are often involved in major road accidents. Incidents of pickpocketing have increased on buses between Chimaltenango and Antigua.
Once again, the Guatemalan government has implemented a program to eradicate violence, narcotics trafficking and organized crime in the region along the Mexican border in the departments of San Marcos, Quetzaltenango and Huehuetenango. The combined security forces are monitoring several towns, including La Democracia in Huehuetenango, Coatepeque in Quetzaltenango, and Ocós, Malacatán and Tecún Umán in San Marcos.
All vehicles and occupants entering this region will be searched. Free locomotion, free gathering and carrying firearms has been suspended.
Travellers entering this region should ensure that they are in possession of their passports and appropriate documentation.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The hurricane season extends from June to the end of November. You are advised to visit the Web site of the National Hurricane Center for information on weather conditions.
The rainy season extends from May to October, often resulting in flash floods and mudslides. Travellers to the region should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
There are several active volcanoes in Guatemala. Pacaya, located 40 km south of Guatemala City, has generated lava flows since the 1970s. In August 2006, the Pacaya volcano began experiencing a period of increased volcanic activity. There have been reports of ash expulsions and lava flows. The alert status has been raised (level yellow) for the town of San Vicente Pacaya.
Volcán de Fuego, located near the city of Antigua, approximately 48 km southwest of Guatemala City, has experienced increased activity since January 2002. Santiaguito and Tacaná, both located in the western part of the country near the Mexican border, have also expelled ash recently. Ash falls can be hazardous for those who suffer from respiratory ailments. Understand the risks and follow the advice of local authorities in the event of explosions or an eruption. Current information on volcanic activity is available from the Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) (country and area codes 502-2/ tel.: 331-4897 or 331-4967).
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
Foreigners travelling with a vehicle must comply with the deadline for leaving the country that is indicated on the temporary importation form provided by Guatemalan customs at the port of entry. If they fail to leave Guatemala with their vehicle by the expiry date, Guatemalan law decrees that taxes must be paid. This is clearly indicated in Spanish on the form.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect heavy jail sentences from 10 to 20 years.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Guatemala - GUATEMALA CITY, Embassy of Canada
Address: Edyma Plaza Building, 8th Floor, 13 Calle 8-44, Zona 10, Guatemala City, Guatemala C.A.
Postal Address: P.O. Box 400, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Tel.: (502) 2363-4348
Fax: (502) 2365-1216
E-mail: gtmla@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.guatemala.gc.ca
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala City and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.
Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Guatemala is 9999-198, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with Guatemalan authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on August 15, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Republic of Guatemala and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Guatemala. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of the expected departure from the country.
Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for all travellers over the age of one if arriving from an infected area.
An airport departure tax of US$30 (or quetzal equivalent) and a 20.00 quetzal security tax are charged upon departure.
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Canadians can visit Guatemala as a tourist for 90 days, which can then be extended for another 90 days by contacting main local immigration authorities or by exiting to Mexico and re-entering Guatemala. Canadians entering Guatemala via Cancun should have their passports stamped when they arrive to avoid problems when departing the country.
Canadian citizens are required to have a valid passport in order to depart from Guatemala. Canadians whose passports are lost or stolen in Guatemala must present a police report of the loss or theft and a new passport to the Guatemalan immigration office in order to obtain permission to depart.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ). It is impossible to exchange Canadian dollars (cash or traveller's cheques) in Guatemala. U.S. currency and traveller's cheques are readily convertible to local funds at most major banks. Do not accept torn notes as they can be difficult to exchange. Credit cards are widely accepted. Do not exchange large amounts of currency with informal money changers. Some ATMs will accept Canadian debit cards with a four-digit PIN. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Guatemala (capital: Guatemala City) is located in Central America and borders Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, and Mexico. Tourist facilities are available, but quality varies according to price and location. The official languages are Spanish and 23 Amerindian languages.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Private hospitals and clinics in the city offer equivalent care to those in Canada and are much better staffed and equipped than public or rural facilities. Physicians and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for medical care. Travellers are strongly recommended to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure; insurance should cover emergency expenses, such as medical evacuation. In March 2006 Roosevelt public hospital in Guatemala City had at least 19 deaths and hundreds quarantined because of a virus.
Red Tide appears seasonally and is highly toxic. It has recently affected most Central American countries, including Guatemala. Canadians are advised to follow local warnings and avoid eating any shellfish and seafood, as it is impossible to determine which may be contaminated.
To avoid risks of mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should cover up and use mosquito repellent.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
N/A
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18. ANNEX
N/A
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