Key facts
Guatemala is a country located in Central America. There are 4 countries (Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico) that Guatemala shares its borders with. The official language of Guatemala is Spanish. Traveling across Guatemala if English is your first (and only) language may be difficult due to language barriers.
In the EF English Competency Index (EF EPI), which assesses the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries, Guatemala was ranked 61st out of 100 countries in 2021.
The national currency in Guatemala is Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ). The quetzales (Q) is subdivided into 100 centavo.
Guatemalan
Banknotes
50Q1Q5Q10Q20Q50Q100Q200
Guatemalan
Coins
15102550Q1
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Guatemala is 72.58 Mbps and mobile is 104.93 Mbs.The global average is 192.62 Mbps and 126.54 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density The number of ATMs per person in Guatemala is close to the world average.36.91 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in Guatemala, a passport or ID is required as identification.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Guatemala. Type A & Type B are widespread in North America (incl. the U.S.), Central America, Japan, and the Philippines.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2024, Guatemala will celebrate 13 national public holidays. The next one Independence Day will take place on September 15.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024Moving holiday | New Year’s DayNew Year’s Day | |
| March 28, 2024Moving holiday | Maundy ThursdayMaundy Thursday | |
| March 29, 2024Moving holiday | Good FridayGood Friday | |
| March 30, 2024Moving holiday | Holy SaturdayHoly Saturday | |
| March 31, 2024Moving holiday | Easter SundayEaster Sunday | |
| May 1, 2024Moving holiday | International Workers’ DayInternational Workers’ Day | |
| June 30, 2024Moving holiday | Army DayArmy Day | |
| September 15, 2024Moving holiday | Independence DayIndependence Day | |
| October 20, 2024Moving holiday | Revolution DayRevolution Day | |
| November 1, 2024Moving holiday | All Saints’ DayAll Saints’ Day | |
| December 24, 2024Moving holiday | Christmas EveChristmas Eve | |
| December 25, 2024Moving holiday | Christmas DayChristmas Day | |
| December 31, 2024Moving holiday | New Year’s EveNew Year’s Eve |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Guatemala?
There are no Mariott hotels in Guatemala.
The Hilton hotel chain operates in Guatemala.
The IHG hotel chain operates in Guatemala.
The Best Western hotel chain operates in Guatemala.
There are Radisson hotels in Guatemala City.
There are no Accor hotels in Guatemala.
What fast food chains are present in Guatemala?
The McDonald’s chain operates in Guatemala.
The KFC chain operates in Guatemala.
The Burger King chain operates in Guatemala.
The Subway chain operates in Guatemala.
The Domino’s Pizza chain operates in Guatemala.
The Starbucks chain operates in Guatemala.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Guatemala City?
Weather data for Guatemala City (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are no passenger trains available.
Subway Systems There is no subway system in any city.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Guatemala
Sources
- Guatemala Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Guatemala (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is forbidden in all public indoor locations, with limited exceptions.
Cananbis legality Both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is prohibited.
Sources
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)