All country guides
- Capital
- Guatemala City (GUA)
- Dialing Code
- +502
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT -6
- Language
- Spanish
- Best Time to Go
- November - April
- Currency
- Quetzal (GTQ)
Travel Tips
- The local currency is difficult to exchange outside of Guatemala, therefore it is recommended to exchange currency before leaving
- English is spoken in tourist areas
- Bottled water recommended. All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised
- It is illegal to wear military / camouflage clothing
Last updated 30 September 2026
Visa Guide
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
April: 2-4
May: 1, 10
June: 29
September: 15
October: 20
November: 1
December: 25
Visa Requirements
No visas are required for a stay of up to 90 days for South African passport holders
- For visa information, please contact: Embassy of The Republic of Guatemala in Cairo, Egypt: embegipto@minex.gob.gt
- Guatemala is part of the CA-4 agreement along with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, which allows movement between these countries without additional immigration checks during this period
Entry Requirements
- Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity
- Return or onward ticket
- Address of accommodation during your stay
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
Yellow Fever
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk
South African Representative Abroad
Representation accredited from Mexico City, Mexico