Guatemala - Consular Information Sheet
September 17, 2001

 Country Description: Guatemala has a developing economy. Except for luxury hotels in major cities and tourist destinations, tourist facilities are not fully developed.

 Entry Requirements: To travel to Guatemala, U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. A visa or tourist card is not needed for stays of up to three months (the three-month period can be extended upon application). U.S. citizens must carry identification with them at all times. For further information regarding entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Guatemala at 2220 R Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 745-4952/3/4, or the Guatemalan consulate in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco. Persons outside the United States should contact the nearest Guatemalan consulate.

 The government of Guatemala requires all U.S. citizens to have a valid passport to depart Guatemala. U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Guatemala must obtain a new passport and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in Guatemala City to obtain permission to depart. An exit tax must be paid upon departure from the Guatemala City airport.

 Medical Facilities: A full range of modern medical care is available in Guatemala City, but medical care outside the city is limited. Care in private hospitals is generally adequate for most common illnesses and injuries. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proved useful in many emergencies. Additional health information may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559, or on the Internet at http:// www.cdc.gov.

 Crime Information: American-citizen visitors who suffer criminal assaults are encouraged to contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy at tel. (502) 331-1541 or the duty officer after-hours at tel. (502) 331-8904 for advice and assistance.

  Pickpockets and purse snatchers are prevalent in major cities and tourist sites, especially the central market and other parts of Zone 1 in Guatemala City.  The Mayan ruins at Tikal and Flores are considered to be generally safe, provided that visitors fly to Flores and then travel by bus or tour van to the ruins. Overland travel in the rest of Peten Department is difficult and dangerous.

 A special tourist police force has been deployed in the Antigua area and, as a temporary measure, military forces have been deployed in some areas to support civilian police.

 The loss or theft of a U.S.passport abroad should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad." This publication, as well as others such as "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America," are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

 Highway Travel: Intercity travel after sunset anywhere in Guatemala is dangerous. When driving
to the Lake Atitlan area, the safest route is via the Pan-American Highway (CA-1) through Solola. Travel to the lake by any other route is dangerous.

 When entering Guatemala by car, most travelers use border crossings at Tecun Uman (Highway CA-2) or La Mesilla (Highway CA-1) from Mexico, at Las Chinamas/Valle Nuevo from El Salvador, and at El Florido or Agua Caliente from Honduras. Travelers need plenty of time to complete border crossing formalities, which can be lengthy, in order to arrive at a major town before dark.

 Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. A 1992 anti-narcotics trafficking law in Guatemala provides tough penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs. Those arrested on drug charges, even for simple possession of very small amounts, can expect to spend several months in jail before their case is decided. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines.

 Public Transportation: Public bus accidents due to equipment failure or human error are frequent. Americans are frequent victims of pickpockets and robbers on public buses.

 Other Information: Updated information on Guatemalan adoption procedures and the U.S.immigrant visa application process is available from the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. Prospective adoptive parents are urged to check with the Consular Section to be sure that their child's adoption is complete before traveling to Guatemala to apply for their child's immigrant visa. Adoptive parents are also urged to carry with them complete adoption paperwork when traveling with their adopted child to, from, and within Guatemala. Additional information is available from the Office of Children's Issues, CA/OCS/CI, Room 4811, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520, tel. (202) 736-7000.

 Care should be taken in swimming in the waters along the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. Riptides are frequent and the undertow is strong.

  Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, and may also obtain updated information on travel and security within Guatemala. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala is located at Avenida la Reforma 7-01 in Zone 10, Guatemala City, tel. (502) 331-1541. Consular Section hours for American Citizen Services are 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and 1:00-3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (except weekends and U.S. and Guatemalan holidays).

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