Guatemala reopened its borders to international travel on September 18, 2020. Since it is one of the countries that are open for tourism, Guatemala has put a few entry requirements in place for travelers.

All travelers must either present a negative PCR or antigen test result from within 3 days prior to check-in at the airport, a medical certificate that confirms your recovery from COVID-19 within the last three months, or proof of full vaccination, with the last dose having been received at least 2 weeks prior to travel.

Can I travel to Guatemala right now?  

Guatemala is allowing travelers from most countries to enter right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Guatemala at the moment.

Guatemala COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Guatemala has one main entry requirements in place for travelers.

All travelers must either have evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19, with the last dose having been received at least 2 weeks before travel to Guatemala; present evidence of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 3 months in the form of a medical certificate from the medical facility where you were treated; or have a medical certificate for a negative COVID PCR or antigen test result from within 3 days of check-in for their flight to Guatemala.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Guatemala

Travelers who can provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 are exempt from presenting a negative PCR or antigen test to enter Guatemala. Travelers who can present evidence of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 3 months are also exempt from the entry testing requirement.

If you’ve been fully vaccinated, you must show evidence of your full vaccination. Your last dose must have been received at least 2 weeks prior to travel to Guatemala.

If you have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 3 months, you must present a medical certificate from the medical center where you were treated. The certificate must have your date of diagnosis (including a copy of the test that confirmed your diagnosis) and your date of recovery, which should be at least 10 days after your date of diagnosis.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Guatemala?

All unvaccinated travelers age 10 and up must have a medical certificate for a negative PCR or antigen test result that was obtained within 3 days of check-in for their flight to Guatemala

You will not be allowed to enter Guatemala without a negative test result.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Guatemala?

There is no mandatory quarantine on arrival for most travelers.

However, if you have been in Brazil, the UK, or South Africa in the last 14 days, you will have to quarantine for at least 10 days from your arrival if you are allowed to enter Guatemala.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Guatemala

It’s not an entry requirement to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Guatemala, but you should always travel with some kind of insurance coverage.

We’ve compared many different types of travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to figuring out which insurance is best and Heymondo emerged as the clear winner. Their policies offer extensive coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad while still being affordable. That’s why we use Heymondo for every trip we take, including the trips we’ve been on this year.

You can even get a 5% discount on Heymondo insurance by using the link below.

Other travel restrictions for Guatemala during COVID-19

Guatemala has a few other travel restrictions in place:

• All travelers will undergo health screenings upon arrival in Guatemala.

• Face masks are required in all public areas.

• Social distancing of at least 1.5 meters must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit Guatemala. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Guatemala

Guatemala uses a “traffic light system” to determine restrictions within the country. Regions are classified as on “green,” “yellow,” “orange,” or “red” alert based on how many cases of COVID-19 they have had in the last two weeks.

Restrictions are different for every alert color, so you’ll need to check what color alert the region you’re visiting is considered in order to determine the restrictions for that region. You can find a list of regions’ levels of alert here.

Curfew in Guatemala

There is currently a nightly curfew from 10 PM to 4 AM.

Hotels that are open in Guatemala

Hotels in Guatemala are open, but restrictions for hotels depend on regions’ levels of alert.

For hotels in “red” regions, common areas are closed, and events are not allowed. Food service is restricted to room service, or, if there is a hotel restaurant, indoor seating capacity is restricted to one person per 10 square meters, and outdoor seating capacity is restricted to one person per 2.5 square meters.

For hotels in “orange” regions, common areas are closed, and events are not allowed. Food service should be restricted to room service, or if there is a hotel restaurant, indoor seating capacity is restricted to one person per 6 square meters, and outdoor seating capacity is restricted to one person per 2.5 square meters.

For hotels in “yellow” regions, common areas are open, but capacity is restricted to one person per 4 square meters.

For hotels in “green” regions, common areas are open, but capacity is restricted to one person per 2.5 meters.

A list of regions’ levels of alert is available here. More information on regulations for each level of alert can be found here.

Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Guatemala

Attractions are open in some regions of Guatemala, depending on the level of alert, and tours are operating.

In “red” regions, national parks and archaeological sites are closed. Public parks, theaters, and movie theaters are closed as well.

In “orange” regions, national parks and archaeological sites are open, but tour groups that visit these and other attractions must be no larger than 10 people. Public parks are open, but there cannot be more than one person per 4 square meters. Groups cannot be bigger than 5 people. Theaters and movie theaters are closed, except for events where people can watch without getting out of their personal vehicles.

In “yellow” regions, national parks and archaeological sites are open, but tour groups must be no larger than 15 people. Public parks are open, but there cannot be more than one person per 4 square meters. Groups cannot be bigger than 10 people. Theaters and movie theaters are open, but capacity is restricted to one person per 4 square meters. Anyone who is high-risk or older than 60 cannot go to theaters or movie theaters.

In “green” regions, national parks and archaeological sites are open, but tour groups must be no larger than 20 people. Public parks are open, but there cannot be more than one person per 2.5 square meters. Groups cannot be bigger than 10 people. Theaters and movie theaters are open as long as capacity is restricted to one person per 2.5 square meters. There are special hours for those who are high-risk or older than 60.

A list of regions’ levels of alert is available here. More information on attraction and tour restrictions can be found here.

Restaurants that are open in Guatemala

Restaurants are open in all regions of Guatemala, but regulations depend on the level of alert the region is in. Restaurants must close by 9 PM in accordance with curfew restrictions.

In terms of restaurants in “red” regions, delivery and takeout should be prioritized. Indoor seating capacity must be restricted to one person per 10 square meters. Outdoor seating capacity must be restricted to one person per 2.5 square meters. Groups of diners cannot be larger than 10 people. Anyone who is considered high-risk or is older than 60 is not allowed to dine in restaurants.

In restaurants in “orange” regions, delivery and takeout should be prioritized. Indoor seating capacity must be restricted to one person per 6 square meters, and outdoor seating capacity must be restricted to one person per 2.5 square meters. Groups of diners cannot be larger than 10 people. There should be a separate area or designated timeslot for those who are considered high-risk or are older than 60.

In restaurants in “yellow” regions, delivery and takeout should be prioritized. Indoor seating capacity must be restricted to one person per 4 square meters. Outdoor seating capacity must be restricted to one person per 2.5 square meters. Groups of diners cannot be larger than 10 people. There should be a separate area or designated timeslot for those who are considered high-risk or are older than 60.

In restaurants in “green” regions, indoor and outdoor seating capacity must be restricted to one person per 2.5 square meters. There should be a separate area or designated timeslot for those who are considered high-risk or are older than 60.

A list of regions’ levels of alert is available here. You can find more information on restaurant regulations here.

Airports that are open in Guatemala

Guatemala’s main airport, La Aurora International Airport, is open and commercial flights are operating.

All travelers must wear masks and keep at least a 1.5-meter distance away from others who are not in their household. Travelers will also be subject to health screenings upon arrival in Guatemala.

Where to get a PCR test in Guatemala – COVID-19 testing in Guatemala

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Guatemala, you can find more information here.

Guatemala reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Guatemala reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Guatemala reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Guatemala, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Guatemala
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Guatemala
• General Guatemala Travel Advisory
• Entry Requirements for Guatemala in Spanish
• Map of Different Regions’ Alert Levels in Spanish
• Regulations for Different Levels of Alert in Spanish