Visitors to Guatamala cannot fail to be touched by the Indigenous people, the Mayan culture, pastel coloured colonial architecture, volcanoes and rainforest. Ancient ruins just add a further highly historical dimension.
12 February 2008
Official Name: Republic of Guatemala
Population: 13 million (UN, 2005) 55% are descendents of the Maya
Capital: Guatemala City
Location: Central America, bordering North Pacific Ocean and with Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador
Major languages: Spanish, more than 22 indigenous languages
National Flower: La Monja Blanca - an orchid found in the forests of Alta Verapaz and in danger of extinction. Flowers between October and February.
Major religion: Christianity, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 71 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos
Main exports: Coffee, sugar, bananas, fruits and vegetables, meat, petroleum, cardamon
GNI per capita: US $2,130 (World Bank, 2005)
Internet domain: .gt
International dialling code: + 502
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -6 hours
Best time to go: November to April offers dry warm weather but May to October are possibly a little to rainy making some roads difficult to use or even impassable.
Visa Requirments:
Nationals of countries that are EU members, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland do not need a visa – just an onward ticket and a passport valid for 6 months after the return date. This will allow a stay of up to three months. Other nationalities need to contact the High Commission of Guatemala in their own country.
Basic Guide to Vaccinations
a) Polio (normally you will just need a booster.)
b) Tetanus.
c) Typhoid. A full course requires 2 injections separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks.
d) Hepatitis (A) and (B).
e) Anti-malarial prophylaxis: Please refer to your doctor for the most up to date information about anti-malarial medication for the areas that you will be visiting.
f) Rabies pre-exposure vaccination. Please refer to your doctor for advice on whether you need rabies pre-exposure vaccination. In the unlikely case of your being bitten, this vaccination does not eliminate the need for urgent evacuation to a suitable medical facility for additional treatment. However, it does simplify that additional treatment and also prolongs the period that you can safely delay before receiving post-exposure treatment.
Safety Issues
A new group of tourism civil police officers has recently graduated, making tourists security their goal. This group of specially trained officials cover most of the tourist attractions and routes in prevention of crime. Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home. Be especially cautious in or avoid areas where you are likely to be victimized. These include crowded markets, bus stations, elevators, crowded tourist sites, festivals and marginal areas of cities.