To the Ends of the Earth

Travel tips: Guatemala

TRAVEL ADVICE

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises travellers to Guatemala that, although most visits are trouble-free, visitors need to be on their guard as violent crime is common throughout the country. Visitors should be alert at all times and not travel alone, especially at night. Check out the FCO website on www.fco.gov.uk, or call 020 7238 4503/4 for the latest information. The FCO also advises that, on arrival in Guatemala, visitors should check out the latest news from the British Embassy in Guatemala City:

British Embassy
Torre Internacional (11th floor)
16 Calle 00-55, Zone 10
Guatemala City
Tel: 502 367 5425-29
E-mail: embassy@terra.com.gt
Open: Mon-Thur 2.30-6.30pm, 7.30-11pm, Fri 2.30-6.30pm

THE COUNTRY

Official name Republic of Guatemala

Capital Guatemala City

Area 108,000 square kilometres (41,670 square miles)

Situation Central America. On the south-west, bordering the north Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and on the east, bordered by Honduras and Belize and the Caribbean Sea.

Population 11 million

Religion Roman Catholicism is the most widespread religion. However, many Mayas have retained their indigenous religious beliefs, which are often practised combined with Catholicism.

Language Spanish is the official language. twenty-one indigenous languages are also widely spoken.

People 56% Spanish descent, 44% Mayan descent. A large percentage of Guatemalans belong to Mayan groups that have retained their cultural identity.

Climate Tropical, but temperate seas and irregular terrain gives the country a diversity of climates. Temperatures drop with altitude. The highlands are relatively cooler – temperatures may go as low as 10°C (50°F). The coastal regions and the north-east are hot throughout the year, with an average temperature of 20°C (68°F), rising to 38°C (100°F) on the Pacific coast.

Currency 10 Guatemala quetzales can be exchanged for around 90p sterling. US dollars, however, are the most commonly used currency, and at the current rate of exchange, 10 quetzales is the equivalent of approximately US$1.25.

When to go Guatemala has two seasons: the rainy months from May to October and the dry months from November to April. During the rainy season, there are far fewer tourists, which can be pleasant, although the rain may restrict some activities.

Geography Guatemala is predominantly mountainous and heavily forested. The country is split down the middle by two mountain ranges: the Sierra Madre, which is parallel to the Pacific Ocean, and the Cuchumatanes Range in the Huehuetenango district.

Most of the population lives in the highland region, alongside which are over 30 active and inactive volcanoes, including the inactive Volcan Tajumulco – at 4,211 metres (13,815 feet), the highest point in Central America. At the centre of the range is Lake Atitlán. The north of Guatemala is covered with tropical rainforest, while in the south and the east, there are fertile plains.

Getting there Flights from the UK to Guatemala cost from £400 to £700, depending on the season and availability. There are no direct flights; all go via another European city or the US into Guatemala City or Flores.

Many international airlines fly from the UK to Guatemala, including Iberia (reservations: 0845 601 2854), KLM (reservations: 0870 507 4074) and Delta (reservations: 0800 414 767). Also, several international passenger services fly in or sail on from North America.

It is possible to travel overland by bus from any of the neighbouring countries: Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica. You can also drive there via the Pan American Highway, which runs through Guatemala from Mexico in the north to El Salvador in the south.

For further information, travel advice and contact details of tour operators contact:

Guatemala Tourist Office
13 Fawcett Street
London SW10 9HN
Tel: 020 7349 0346
Fax: 020 7349 0331
E-mail: embaguat_londres@compuserve.com
Open: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm.

Visas British nationals can visit Guatemala for up to three months without first obtaining a visa. There is a US$30 (or quetzal equivalent) airport departure tax that is payable at airline check-in desks.

Getting around Guatemala has no railway service. The most efficient way to travel is to take internal flights from Guatemala City and Flores on these airlines: AVIATECA, Aerocaribe, Aerovias. Guatemala also has a relatively cheap and easy-to-use bus service running throughout the country. However, during the rainy season, this cannot be relied on as some of the roads may become impassable or disappear altogether.

Costs According to Lonely Planet, Guatemala is one of the cheapest destinations in Central America. US$25 per day should give a traveller a reasonable standard of living, covering food, accommodation and travel.

Health risks Always seek up-to-date medical advice from your doctor or a travellers' health centre.

Malaria is present in some parts of Guatemala, particularly in the lowland regions that are popular with tourists. Anti-malarial medication should be taken while visiting the country. Dengue fever is endemic in the country, so mosquito repellent should be worn and as much clothing to cover the skin as possible.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises that Guatemalan hospitals are reluctant to give treatment unless they have proof of satisfactory medical insurance. It is therefore important to take out comprehensive medical insurance and carry documentation with you at all times.

It is also advisable to drink only bottled water and to eat only fruit and vegetables that have been washed and peeled.

What to expect Guatemala is one of the world's richest centres of biodiversity. The country has a wide range of landscapes including virgin jungles, beautiful lakes, rivers and volcanoes, caves, valleys and ravines. Guatemala's unique combination of the pre-Colombian world of the Maya, Spanish colonial heritage, dramatic natural landscapes and modern society makes it an unforgettable country to visit, especially as some of its most beautiful and interesting natural regions are also of great archaeological importance.

To preserve its natural and cultural heritage, Guatemala began establishing national parks in 1955 – today the country has over 30 legally protected areas. The national parks cover a wide range of landscapes, from mangrove swamps to mountain regions and areas that are almost untouched by humans. But to many people, it is Guatemala's cultural identity – it has over 20 living native cultures – that makes it remarkable. The people and traditions from the different ethnic Mayan communities, with their rich and colourful heritage expressed through their music, religion, food and clothing, are very much part of contemporary Guatemala.

However striking and beautiful, Guatemala still bears the scars of over 30 years of civil war and unrest, and inequality and poverty are rife. Visitors should always be vigilant and prepared. In addition, the country is prone to extreme weather conditions and to earthquakes, and some of the volcanoes are still very active. Check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before travelling.

Attractions

• Antigua The capital of Guatemala until devastated by an earthquake in 1773. Located in the heart of Central America in the valley of Panchoy, 1,500m (4,920ft) above sea level, between the summits of Agua and Fuego, in a region of volcanic activity. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas – in 1979, Unesco recognised Antigua as a 'Cultural Heritage of Mankind' site.
• Lake Atitlán Described as the most beautiful lake in the world, this is in the central highlands of south-western Guatemala, 1,563m (5,130ft) above sea level. The lake is 320m (1,050ft) deep and covers an area of 127.7sq. km (49.3sq. miles). It is surrounded by tiny villages set against a backdrop of volcanoes and mountains.
• Tikal National Park The park, in the midst of the tropical jungle of El Petén, is the largest and possibly the oldest of the Mayan cities, which in 1979 was declared a 'Monument of the World's Heritage' by Unesco. The main centre of the abandoned city covers over 200 hectares (500 acres), with more than 4,000 buildings and other structures dating from 800 BC, set in the middle of a lush tropical forest – a very impressive sight. To travel to the park, take the 20-minute flight from Guatemala City to Santa Elena airport.

BOOKS

Hidden Guatemala by Richard Harris (Ulysses Press, 1999) £12.99.
Reveals a land defined by indigenous ways, where highland villages carry on traditions dating back to the Maya empire.

Guatemala: Adventures in Nature by Richard Mahler (John Muir Publications, 1999) £15.99.
Expert advice on touring with minimum impact on the environment. The book focuses on the natural history and intrinsic culture of the country. Fully illustrated with colour and black-and-white photographs, maps and diagrams.

Lonely Planet: Guatemala, Belize & Yucatan by Tom Brosnahan and Nancy Keller (Lonely Planet, 1997) £12.99.
Providing detailed advice on how to get around, this guide also features maps of archaeological sites, Spanish and Mayan language sections, and details of the famous ruins at Copan in Honduras.

The Maya World: The Rough Guide by Peter Eltringham, John Fisher and Iain Stewart (Rough Guides, 1999) £12.99.
This guide covers Mexico's Yucatan peninsula and the Mexican states of Chiapas and Tabasco, plus Guatemala, Belize and parts of Honduras and El Salvador. It includes practical information on the best places to stay, eat and drink.

WEBSITES

Guatemala
www.guatemala.travel.com.gt/
Official site for tourism in Guatemala, recognised by the Guatemala's Tourist Comission. It gives information on services available for tourists, who can search via 'Topics of interest' or 'Regions' or by a specific search for a destination.

Guatemala Web
www.guatemalaweb.com/
Provides a list of links to tourist information including accommodation, tours, transportation, maps and notes on the peace process in the country.

Planeta.com
www.planeta.com/
The aim of Planeta.com is to create a public space for the development of conscientious tourism that benefits travellers and locals alike. Includes information, links and articles on Guatemala.

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