Guatemala

The captivating Central American country of Guatemala is blessed with a rich mixture of steep volcanoes, tropical rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. Its capital – Guatemala city – is home to cultural gems such as the stately National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, with a vibrant and lively nightlife to be enjoyed at the Zona Viva nightlife, while the cobblestoned streets of the charming city of Antigua boasts well preserved Spanish colonial buildings. When not soaking up the atmosphere and culture, there’s plenty of time to get an adrenaline rush for thrill seekers with stunning trekking routes through deep jungles and up dramatic volcanoes, world-class white-water rafting, and exploring miles and miles of caves, and plenty of ziplining. The volcanic crater at Lago de Atitlán offers both scuba diving and paragliding – or you can simply relax on an unspoilt beach.

KEY FACTS BEFORE YOU GO:

Capital: Guatemala City

Currency: Guatemalan quetzal

Time Difference: Guatemala does not observe Daylight Saving Time, maintaining Central Standard Time throughout the year. Guatemala is 7 hours BEHIND BST, and 6 hours BEHIND GMT.

Flight time: There are no direct flights to Guatemala, with changes at various international airports such as Houston, Miami, Dallas, Madrid, Mexico City etc, depending on air line. Flights to Guatemala are from 14 hours and 20 minutes.

Official language: Spanish

Entry requirements: No visas are required for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must have a minimum of 6 months' validity from the date of entry.

Vaccinations and Health: For up-to-date information, please check this website (as recommended by the Foreign Office): https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/96/guatemala#Vaccine_recommendations
General information on travel vaccinations can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/

To find out more, and for the most up-to-date advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guatemala/