12open jobs
8organisations hiring
5violent events in 3 months
13deaths (estimate)
To prepare a mission or a new post: the essential context, region by region. This briefing does not replace your organisation's security briefing on arrival.
presidential republic
Incidents of political violence, strikes and large demonstrations can occur, often with little or no notice. Most demonstrations are peaceful, but they can turn violent. Protestors may block roads and public facilities, including the international airport, without notice.
Mestizo (mixed Indigenous-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Maya 41.7%, Xinca (Indigenous, non-Maya) 1.8%, African descent 0.2%, Garifuna (mixed West and Central African, Island Carib, and Arawak) 0.1%, foreign 0.2% (2018 est.)
Spanish (official) 69.9%, Maya languages 29.7% (Q'eqchi' 8.3%, K'iche 7.8%, Mam 4.4%, Kaqchikel 3%, Q'anjob'al 1.2%, Poqomchi' 1%, other 4%), other 0.4% (includes Xinca and Garifuna) (2018 est.)
Evangelical 45.7%, Roman Catholic 42.4%, none 11%, unspecified 0.9% (2023 est.)
Country profiles: The World Factbook (CIA), public domain, last edition (2025-2026).
developing Central American economy; steady economic growth fueled by remittances; high poverty and income inequality; limited government services, lack of employment opportunities, and frequent natural disasters impede human development efforts and drive emigration
18.7 MPopulation2025
56.3 %Urban population2025
$6,598GDP per capita2025
4.3 %GDP growth2025
1.5 %Inflation2025
9.7 %Extreme poverty (international line)2023
2.6 %Unemployment2025
82.1 %Adult literacy2024
60.2 %Internet users2024
90.9 %Access to electricity2024
573,000internally displaced people2025
1,586refugees hosted2025
4,088asylum seekers2025
173,414refugees and asylum seekers from the country2025
Indicators: World Bank (CC BY 4.0); refugees and displaced people: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Latest available year for each figure.
Army of Guatemala (Ejercito de Guatemala; aka Armed Forces of Guatemala or Fuerzas Armadas de Guatemala): Land Forces (Fuerzas de Tierra), Naval Forces (Fuerzas de Mar), and Air Force (Fuerza de Aire) (2025)
La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
Party names as coded by UCDP, July – September 2026. "Government of …" refers to State forces.
| Actor | Events | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| M18 | 4 | 6 |
| MS-13 | 3 | 5 |
Informative list, to be complemented by your organisation's security analysis and NGO security forums.
UK government (FCDO) travel advice. Some guidance is aimed at British nationals; always follow your organisation's instructions.
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these areas.
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow FCDO:
Organised violence events recorded by UCDP, July – September 2026.
By month: July 0 · August 3 · September 2
| Region | Events | Deaths | Civilians | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | 3 | 5 | 1 | ▼ down |
| Zacapa | 1 | 7 | 1 | new |
| Sacatepéquez | 1 | 1 | 1 | new |
This guide also has safety advice for regions of Guatemala.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Guatemala, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Incidents of political violence, strikes and large demonstrations can occur, often with little or no notice. Most demonstrations are peaceful, but they can turn violent. Protestors may block roads and public facilities, including the international airport, without notice.
Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Although most of the serious crime involves local gangs, you could be caught up in incidents as they can happen in tourist areas.
No parts of Guatemala City are free from crime, including Zone 10 (Zona Viva), which is popular with tourists and foreign residents. Take care in Zone 1 where tourists have been targeted by opportunistic criminals, this is the historical centre where cheaper hotels are located and several bus routes end.
If you are planning to visit or stay in the outer zones of the City such as Zones 18-25, you should use reputable chain hotels and research the area extensively as these zones are known for higher levels of crime. Zones 6, 7 and 8 should also be treated with caution.
When travelling to more rural parts of Guatemala you should travel with a reputable tour company and follow local security advice. Areas in and around the departments of Huehuetenango, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Izabal, San Marcos and Petén experience high levels of crime. You should remain within the touristic areas and travel during daylight hours where possible.
Violent attacks, including sexual assault and gun crime, can take place anywhere and at any time of the day. Attackers have killed and injured victims who resisted. There is a low arrest and conviction rate.
Carjacking and armed robbery are common.
There have been armed attacks or robberies on most tourist routes between Guatemala City, Antigua, Tikal, Petén and Lake Atitlán. See Regional risks.
You can take precautions such as:
If you go to remote areas, it may be safer to travel with others or a reputable tour company.
For shorter trips within towns and cities the safest option is to take radio-dispatched taxis (which are usually yellow), Uber (where available) or hotel taxis. You can buy pre-paid taxi vouchers from the office of INGUAT, Guatemala’s tourist agency (Spanish language website) in the airport’s arrivals terminal.
If you’re driving, it is generally safer to travel on main roads. There is a greater risk of attack by gangs on quieter routes. Travel in convoy if possible.
Be aware of your surroundings and take care around ATMs, petrol station forecourts, the airport, bus stations and shopping centres.
You can get up-to-date security information from INGUAT.
If you are a victim of a criminal attack, INGUAT has a tourist assistance and emergency service section called PROATUR who can help accompany you to your hotel or other safe place. See Getting help.
Avoid travelling on public buses (repainted US school buses). There have been incidents of attacks and extortion by local gangs on bus drivers resulting in serious injury or death. These buses are usually poorly maintained, overcrowded and do not generally adhere to the rules of the road, driving at dangerous speeds on perilous roads. Accidents are common and sometimes fatal.
Private intercity coach services are generally safer, but gangs have also targeted these, even on main roads.
Check ATMs for evidence of tampering. Affected machines may not be easy to spot. It’s safer to change money in hotels, at banks or at foreign exchange offices.
Criminals posing as police officers have committed theft, extortion and sexual assault in Guatemala.
Foreign visitors are at risk of scams. Scams come in many forms and can lead to great financial loss. Warn your friends and family to be sceptical if they are asked to transfer funds to you in Guatemala. Tell them to contact you to check that you have made this request.
Express kidnappings – short term opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim – are common in Guatemala. Victims can be targeted or selected at random. They are held while criminals withdraw money from their bank accounts using their cards. Many cases involve victims that have been picked up by taxis (registered or illegal) hailed from the street. Be aware of your surroundings and always let someone you trust know your whereabouts, especially after dark.
Business people and visitors perceived to be wealthy may be targeted by kidnappers in search of payouts. Be discreet about discussing your financial or business affairs in places where you may be overheard by others, and when arranging meetings use a secure location.
If you are a victim of kidnapping, follow the kidnapper’s instructions.
It is a legal requirement to always carry ID. In most parts of the country, you can carry a copy of your passport’s photo page for identification purposes. In San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá, local authorities may not accept a copy and may fine or detain you if you cannot show your original passport or a certified copy. Always co-operate with military and police officers and be prepared for checkpoints.
During specific periods (such as elections) alcohol sales may be banned or restricted during certain times.
There are severe penalties for drug trafficking and the use of drugs. Guatemalan prisons are overcrowded, violent, and dirty.
Do not take photographs without permission, especially of children. This is particularly important in more remote areas such as Quiché, Petén, San Marcos and Chiquimula provinces. There have been attacks related to accusations and fears of child kidnapping for adoption or theft of vital organs. Foreigners have been caught up in the violence. You may need to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults.
Same sex sexual activity is not illegal, although there are no laws guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Same-sex marriages are not recognised in Guatemala. In Guatemala City, local people are largely tolerant of LGBT+ people. Outside Guatemala City, attitudes are more conservative. Showing affection in public may bring verbal and physical attacks, harassment and discrimination.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Before you climb volcanoes, visit the websites of the Guatemalan Meteorological Office (Spanish language website) and CONRED, Guatemala’s disaster agency for information on access, restrictions and recommendations.
Follow the advice of local authorities. Some volcanoes are at high altitude with freezing temperatures at night. Warm clothing and waterproofs are essential. Local tour organisers tend to underestimate the risks and deaths have occurred. There is no mountain rescue service.
See more information on Volunteering and adventure travel.
If you are planning to drive, see information on driving abroad.
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Guatemala for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
In Guatemala:
Randomly located police checkpoints can be setup around the city and drivers are usually pulled over for documentation and outstanding penalty checks. Ensure you have your licence, ID and car rental or ownership paperwork to hand.
Drink-driving is a serious offence. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine, your licence confiscated and possible imprisonment. However, drinking-driving is common in Guatemala.
In more isolated locations, roads are unpaved and you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
If you’re involved in an accident, contact the National Police (telephone: 110) or the fire brigade (telephone: 122 or 123) and wait for them to arrive. PROVIAL (telephone: +502 2419 2121 or 1520), a roadside assistance force, patrols most of the major roads in the country. However, patrols are infrequent.
For more information on road laws, see Guatemala Department of Transport (in Spanish).
Guatemala Municipality no longer allows some intercity buses to enter the city centre. They drop passengers at various points on the city outskirts.
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
The rainy season in Guatemala normally runs from May to November, the same time as the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Heavy rains cause frequent flooding and landslides, and poorly maintained roads and bridges have been known to collapse.
Check local media and consult your tour operator and PROATUR, Guatemala’s tourist assistance service (see Getting help). Travel routes are likely to face disruption. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization and the US National Hurricane Center. Follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders.
There are frequent minor earth tremors and there is a risk of earthquakes in Guatemala. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami.
There is a risk of volcanic eruptions in Guatemala. Monitor local media and seek advice from your tour operator in case of possible travel disruption. For further information see CONRED, Guatemala’s disaster agency (in Spanish).
This section has safety advice for regions of Guatemala. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing. This is due to increased and sustained gang-related violence along the Mexico-Guatemala border.
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenango
Pay particular attention to your security in the border areas with Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize.
Take care near the Belize-Guatemala border because of the ongoing dispute between the 2 countries. Use only officially recognised border crossings.
There is a risk of violent crime in the municipalities of Ixchiguan and Tajumulco in the department of San Marcos. If you plan to travel to these areas, get advice from PROATUR, Guatemala’s tourist assistance service (see Getting help for contact details), including whether current conditions mean it is safe to climb the Tajumulco volcano.
PROATUR, Guatemala’s tourist assistance service (see Getting help for contact details) gives advice on routes when travelling in and around Sololá, Panajachel and Lake Atitlán. PROATUR advises:
Boat services between towns on the shore of Lake Atitlán may be a safer alternative.
72.7yearsLife expectancy2024
20.5per 1,000 live birthsUnder-5 mortality2024
94per 100,000 live birthsMaternal mortality2023
0.2per 1,000 people at riskMalaria (new cases)2024
1.28per 1,000 peoplePhysicians2020
93.2 %Basic drinking water access2024
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Call 122 or 123 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Guatemala.
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Guatemala. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad.
You cannot use British-issued prescriptions in Guatemala. To find a pharmacy (‘farmacia’) look for one of the big national chains such as Meykos, Cruz Verde, Galeno or Batres.
FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in Guatemala.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), MIT licence. Indicative, for a tourist stay; always check with the embassy or consulate. (17 February 2026)
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Guatemala’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Guatemala set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Guatemalan Embassy in the UK.
To enter Guatemala, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You can visit Guatemala for up to 90 days without a visa.
If you overstay the 90 days, you’ll have to pay a fine before leaving the country. You can pay this fine at the main Institute of Migration (in Spanish) office in Guatemala City. You can also pay fines at the airport or land borders, but administrative processes can cause serious delays.
To stay longer than 90 days (to work or study, for business, travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Guatemalan government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Guatemalan Embassy in the UK.
If you want to extend your visa or permit to stay, you must apply to the Institute of Migration (Spanish language website).
Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry.
If you do not get your passport stamped when you arrive, you will get a fine and be delayed on your departure. If you notice your passport has not been stamped, return to the immigration desk immediately, or go to the Institute of Migration (in Spanish) offices in Guatemala City as soon as possible.
Before you enter or exit Guatemala, you must complete the online immigration declaration form. If you can, print the confirmation email you receive and carry it with you. Alternatively take a screenshot of the email QR code. If you need more information, contact your travel agent or the Institute of Migration (in Spanish).
This form can be done on arrival just before immigration, there are dedicated terminals to complete the online form. However, this can delay your arrival into the country.
You must pay airport departure tax of 30 US dollars (or the same amount in Guatemalan quetzal). This is normally included in the price of your ticket.
To enter or exit Guatemala, children aged 17 and under travelling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian must have a notarised letter in Spanish from the parents or guardians not travelling with them. Contact the Guatemalan Embassy, or if you’re in Guatemala the nearest Institute of Migration (Spanish language website), for information about what documents you need. Single parents will need additional documents.
You can travel between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua for up to 90 days without a visa. Read the travel advice for:
The 90-day period starts when you enter any of these countries and does not restart when you cross borders. You can extend your stay by up to 30 days by paying a fee before the 90 days expires. If you overstay, you may get a fine.
You’ll have to go through immigration checks at borders. If you’re expelled from one of these countries, you’re also excluded from the other 3.
Guatemalan customs or immigration officials sometimes ask travellers crossing land borders to pay an ‘entry fee’. This is illegal. If you are asked to pay a fee, ask for an official receipt, and you may find the officials drop the request.
When crossing into Guatemala by land, be wary of people offering to help process your entry into the country. They may be trying to overcharge you for unnecessary services.
To enter Guatemala, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Guatemala guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guatemala. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
It is often not possible to exchange British pounds in Guatemala. It is much easier to exchange US dollars.
Before you arrive, register with the coordination bodies: they share alerts, cluster meetings and useful contacts.
Clusters: health, nutrition, protection, WASH, food security, shelter, education, logistics, emergency telecommunications and CCCM. OCHA publishes their meetings and contacts in each country where they are activated.
Organisations hiring in the country, based on open jobs on the site:
See jobs in GuatemalaFunding ↗Tenders ↗Train in field security
Violence over the last 3 months, jobs and passages of official advice that mention the region.
3 events · 5 deaths · 1 civilian
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Guatemala’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Guatemala set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Guatemalan Embassy in the UK.
1 event · 7 deaths · 1 civilian
When travelling to more rural parts of Guatemala you should travel with a reputable tour company and follow local security advice. Areas in and around the departments of Huehuetenango, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Izabal, San Marcos and Petén experience high levels of crime. You should remain within the touristic areas and travel during daylight hours where possible.
1 event · 1 death · 1 civilian
No organised violence recorded over the period.
When travelling to more rural parts of Guatemala you should travel with a reputable tour company and follow local security advice. Areas in and around the departments of Huehuetenango, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Izabal, San Marcos and Petén experience high levels of crime. You should remain within the touristic areas and travel during daylight hours where possible.
Do not take photographs without permission, especially of children. This is particularly important in more remote areas such as Quiché, Petén, San Marcos and Chiquimula provinces. There have been attacks related to accusations and fears of child kidnapping for adoption or theft of vital organs. Foreigners have been caught up in the violence. You may need to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenango
When travelling to more rural parts of Guatemala you should travel with a reputable tour company and follow local security advice. Areas in and around the departments of Huehuetenango, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Izabal, San Marcos and Petén experience high levels of crime. You should remain within the touristic areas and travel during daylight hours where possible.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
When travelling to more rural parts of Guatemala you should travel with a reputable tour company and follow local security advice. Areas in and around the departments of Huehuetenango, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Izabal, San Marcos and Petén experience high levels of crime. You should remain within the touristic areas and travel during daylight hours where possible.
There have been armed attacks or robberies on most tourist routes between Guatemala City, Antigua, Tikal, Petén and Lake Atitlán. See Regional risks.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
Do not take photographs without permission, especially of children. This is particularly important in more remote areas such as Quiché, Petén, San Marcos and Chiquimula provinces. There have been attacks related to accusations and fears of child kidnapping for adoption or theft of vital organs. Foreigners have been caught up in the violence. You may need to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults.
There is a risk of violent crime in the municipalities of Ixchiguan and Tajumulco in the department of San Marcos. If you plan to travel to these areas, get advice from PROATUR, Guatemala’s tourist assistance service (see Getting help for contact details), including whether current conditions mean it is safe to climb the Tajumulco volcano.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
It is a legal requirement to always carry ID. In most parts of the country, you can carry a copy of your passport’s photo page for identification purposes. In San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá, local authorities may not accept a copy and may fine or detain you if you cannot show your original passport or a certified copy. Always co-operate with military and police officers and be prepared for checkpoints.
PROATUR, Guatemala’s tourist assistance service (see Getting help for contact details) gives advice on routes when travelling in and around Sololá, Panajachel and Lake Atitlán. PROATUR advises:
No organised violence recorded over the period.
When travelling to more rural parts of Guatemala you should travel with a reputable tour company and follow local security advice. Areas in and around the departments of Huehuetenango, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Izabal, San Marcos and Petén experience high levels of crime. You should remain within the touristic areas and travel during daylight hours where possible.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
Do not take photographs without permission, especially of children. This is particularly important in more remote areas such as Quiché, Petén, San Marcos and Chiquimula provinces. There have been attacks related to accusations and fears of child kidnapping for adoption or theft of vital organs. Foreigners have been caught up in the violence. You may need to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
to avoid the road between Cocales (Suchitepequez) and San Lucas Toliman (Atitlán) if possible, because of the risks of criminality and poor road conditions
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
This briefing gathers public information to prepare a mission. It does not replace your organisation's security analysis, your security focal point's instructions or the country's authorities.