Guatemala Travel Guide
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247 passport nationalities researched for entry into Guatemala.
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Guide
Guatemala gives most tourists a 90 day stamp on arrival, and the days are shared. Guatemala belongs to the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and the 90 day entry period applies to all four countries combined, so time in one counts against the others. Most visitors from the US, Canada, the EU, the UK, and many other countries need no visa. A passport should be valid for at least six months past your stay, and proof of onward travel is on the checklist.
La Aurora International Airport is Guatemala's main and busiest, and it sits unusually close to the city, about 6 kilometers south of the historic center.
Border crossings
- Melchor de Mencos and Benque Viejo, the Belize crossing
The main Guatemala and Belize border, linking the Flores area with San Ignacio. A toll of 10 to 50 quetzals may be required on the Guatemalan side, and at the Belizean departure hall officials direct you to a desk to pay a departure fee of 40 Belize dollars, about 20 US dollars.
- Mexico, through Tecún Umán and other gates
The crossings with Mexico, including Ciudad Hidalgo to Tecún Umán and Ciudad Cuauhtémoc to La Mesilla, are described in this site's Mexico guide.
- Honduras and El Salvador, inside CA-4
Crossings with both fall under the CA-4 arrangement, so a single 90 day allowance covers the whole group.
Transit routes
- Count your CA-4 days
A trip through Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua uses up the same 90 days, so a slow overland trip needs a plan.
- Cross Belize and Mexico with the right stamps
Both are outside CA-4, and each has its own entry rules and fees.
Entry point notes
- Carry proof of onward travel
Guides list it as part of the standard entry checks.
- Six months of validity
Guides list it as the requirement, so check your passport before you book.