Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identit

It contains updated information under Additional information: Natural disasters, severe weather and climate (earthquake near Champerico). The overall level of the advice has not changed. We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Guatemala sta travel because of the risk of serious criminal violence and incidents of local unrest.
We advise you to check with local authorities if considering travel to the Department of Peten (including the tourist site of Tikal) sta travel or the Department of Izabal, especially the areas of Rio Dulce, Livingston, Lake Isabal and Puerto Barrios. Protests, civil unrest and violent crime occur in these areas.
The hurricane season is June to November when landslides, mudslides and flooding may occur. In the case of a hurricane, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials. See Additional information: Natural disasters, severe weather and climate for detailed sta travel advice.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Guatemala. The Canadian Embassy in Guatemala City provides sta travel consular assistance to Australians in Guatemala (except the issue of passports). The Australian Embassy in Mexico can also assist Australians.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Guatemala for the most up to date information.
In June 2006, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador signed the Central American Border Control Agreement (CA-4). Under the agreement travellers may travel between signature countries without completing exit and entry formalities for periods up to 90 days. Visitors who wish to extend their visa may apply for an extension, however, visitors who stay more than 90 days without permission may be fined and expelled from any of the four countries. Visitors expelled from one country may be refused entry to others.
An airport sta travel tax of 20 Quetzales (approximately USD3.00) must be paid in cash at the airport on departure. An exit tax of USD30 is also payable on departure if it has not already been included in your ticket at the time of purchase.
If you are travelling to Guatemala through the United States of America, or if you are transiting in Honolulu or other US points of entry, you are required to meet US entry/transit requirements. Make sure you check with your nearest US Embassy or Consulate your visa requirements well in advance of your travel. You should also read our travel advice for the United States of America .
If you are entering Guatemala from a country in which yellow fever is endemic, you may be required to provide evidence of a yellow fever vaccination. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a list of countries in which yellow fever is endemic.
Central American airlines will not accept passengers travelling to destinations sta travel in the United States without proof of an onward or return ticket, even if the travellers may be eligible to enter the USA under the visa waiver program.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Strikes and large demonstrations often occur with little notice and have resulted in travellers being forcibly detained sta travel at roadblocks, the closure of border-crossing points sta travel and disruption of traffic and essential services.
Guatemala has a high crime rate. Violent crime, often involving the use of firearms, including murder, carjacking, kidnapping, assault, rape and robbery is common throughout the country, including in tourist destinations.
To minimise the risk of becoming a victim of crime, you should remain vigilant in public areas and avoid displaying items of value such as cameras, mobile phones and laptops. Do not resist if you are robbed as victims have been injured when resisting sta travel perpetrators. Where possible, travel in groups and with a reputable tour company. Use of an escort from the Government run tourist service (INGUAT) may reduce risks associated with travel in Guatemala.
We advise you to check with local authorities if considering travel to the Department of Peten (including the tourist site of Takal) or the Department of Izabal, especially the areas of Rio Dulce, sta travel Livingston, Lake Izabal and Puerto. Protests, civil unrest and violent crime occur in these areas.
Criminals have targeted tourists, including tourists arriving sta travel at international airport and travelling to hotels in Guatemala sta travel City and Antigua. If possible, you should schedule arrival at La Aurora Airport (Guatemala City) during the day or early evening.
Violent assaults and robberies sta travel have increased in Guatemala City and are occurring in areas of the city previously considered safe, including Zone 10. Violent street gangs are a concern throughout Guatemala and they are well armed.
Tourists have been attacked when visiting volcanos sta travel and other tourist sites. You should travel in groups, stay informed of security conditions in areas you plan to visit and remain vigilant at all times.
Intercity travel after dark anywhere in Guatemala is dangerous and should be avoided. Violent carjackings occur, particularly on poorly maintained roads, but also on main highways, including the Pan-American Highway (CA-1), the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-2) and the Atlantic Highway (CA-9). There have been reports of violent attacks on motorists travelling between El Salvador and Guatemala, particularly on the Guatemalan side of the border. Roadblocks erected by armed gangs are common, particularly in the northern and western Departments of San Marcos, Huehuetenango, El Quiche, Alta Verapaz, El Peten and Escuintla. Criminals have been known to pose as police officers.
Travellers should avoid using the route between Cocales (Suchitepequez) sta travel and San Lucas Toliman (Atitlan) and the isolated dirt roads near Lake Atitlan. Avoid the Godinez by-pass via Patzun between Guatemala City and Panajachel as this area is rarely patrolled by police. The main Pan-American highway to Solola provides an alternate route.
Tourist, and other, buses have been targeted by criminal gangs. Do not travel on public buses or chicken buses (converted school buses). They are often unsafe and armed robberies are common. Inter-city buses, including luxury coaches, have been forced to stop by criminal gangs who then rob and/or sexually assault passengers. Buses have been attacked near border crossings and in known tourist areas such as Panajachel and Antigua. The roads from the El Salvador border to Cuilapa and from the Belize border to El Cruce are danger spots for bus-jackings.
Petty crime including pick-pocketing and bag-snatching is common in major cities and tourist areas, including airports and bus terminals. You should pay attention to your belongings at all times, and take particular care in and around the Central Markets and in Zone 1 in Guatemala City and in the city of Antigua. You should avoid travelling in Zone 1 in Guatemala City after dark. Scams target tourists to steal money and other possessions. You should be vigilant at all times and be cautious of strangers offering unsolicited services or unusual sta travel requests. Theft has been reported at budget accommodation, particularly in Antigua.
Cross land borders to Guatemala with care. Violent armed robberies have occurred when travellers entering Guatemala have changed large amounts of cash at a land border crossing. You should only cross the border during daylight hours and allow time for border crossing formalities in order to arrive in a major town before dark. Many border posts close for lunch and at dusk.
Using ATMs on the street puts you at high risk of robbery. Changing money at hotels or using ATMs in shopping centres or department stores may reduce this risk. Do not withdraw too much at any one time and avoid withdrawing sta travel money at night. Express kidnappings , where victims are forced to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release, have occurred, particularly at ATMs, petrol stations and shopping centres.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, sta travel such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work in Guatemala. ATMs are not always reliable; however credit cards and traveller s cheques are widely accepted.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report sta travel it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Travel by road, particularly when using public transport, may be dangerous due to aggressive driving practices and poorly maintained vehicles and roads. Traffic laws are routinely ignored. Rural roads lack adequate signage and lighting and are often shared with pedestrians and farm animals. You should avoid all non-essential travel in the late afternoon and at night, particularly on your own. Ensure sta travel the vehicle doors are locked and windows closed at all times. sta travel To ensure your safety, you should plan your travel options well in advance. Various scams involving tourist vehicles exist, and any unsolicited offers of assistance should be refused. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety .
Avoid travel on public buses or "chicken buses" and use inter-city coaches where possible. Public buses are