Editing Guatemala

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{{onRoute|Pan American Highway}} {{metadata_country}} [[Category:Country]] {{pricecontrol_country}}

=Visiting {{PAGENAME}}=
''Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.''

=Entering {{PAGENAME}} with a Car or Motorbike=
'''Correct as of: <span style="color:red">June 2016</span>'''

==Required Paperwork== 
{{visa_country}}
* Passport of registered owner (original, 1 copy of info page and 1 copy of the page with Guatemalan entry stamp).
* [[Vehicle registration]] (original and 1 copy).
* [[Drivers license]] of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
* Once when entering from Mexico they also wanted our Mexican Banjercito documentation to prove we'd exited Mexico properly

==Process at border==
* The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (''migración''), including a stamp in their Passport.
* Your vehicle will be fumigated, which costs <price cost="40" currency="GTQ" />. Be sure to get a receipt.
* The owner must show the new passport stamp, [[drivers license]] and the original [[vehicle registration]] to customs (''aduana'').
* Pay the required fee of <price cost="160" currency="GTQ" /> at the nearby bank. Be sure to get a receipt.
* The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle.
* GPS coordinates of the where to park, fumigation, and offices can be found [http://myoverlandadventure.com/belize-guatemala-border-crossing/ here]

'''NOTE:''' You will encounter pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See [[Pan_American_Highway#Helpers|Border Crossing Helpers]] for advice.

=== Belize Border ===
(October 2017)
* Enter huge fumigation garage just after exit from Belize
* Pull to the right and park after fumigation.  
* On your right will be a window where you need to pay for the fumigation (cost 37Q).  An official will come out and check your license plate.  Once you pay you will receive a receipt for payment and a document that has your license on it.  Check it and make sure it is accurate and keep it handy.  
* Cross the street to immigration and Aduana.   It might be behind a truck.  It is an open front, metal roof building.  Get in line and get your passport stamped for entry.   Confirm it is enough time.    90 days maximum 
* Go to the left of that line (2 steps away) and start the process for your TIP (Aduana).  You will be required to show documents that will confirm the VIN and license plate.   You will need copies of the title, registration, as well as the stamped Passport of the driver.   Copies may be obtained at a copy place around the corner to the left (when looking at the street) down two buildings and to the left again (pink building) or across the bridge at a building on the right.   This is where a helper  comes in handy.  
* The Custom official takes the copies of your title, registration, passport and THE FUMIGATION RECEIPT and creates two sheets of paper with your vin on it.  CHECK THE VIN closely.  You then take the documentation to the pay window on the right wall (pay 160Q).  After paying, return the stamped document to the same custom official, and they will give you the TIP Sticker and the document back.  They will also visit your vehicle to confirm it is the correct one with the VIN.   
*. If you have pets you should get the proper permits while stopped here. 
* Pull forward towards the cone and the bridge.  You will hand over your documentation.  The person will confirm your license plate, and hand it back to you with a big smile and a  "welcome to Guatemala".  
*. On the other side of the bridge an official will ask p for 30Q as a "city tax".   Get a receipt.   
You are good to go.   
(Submitted by www.slowcarfasthouse.com)
=== Tapachula / Talismán / El Carmen border ===
* Pushy 'helpers' will try to direct you to a carpark but it is possible to find a spot on the street (we've managed it both times).
* Migración are the blue windows on the left-hand side just after the bridge, look for "Passaportes". Lefthand Window is for "To Guatemala" ("a Guatemala"), the righthand window is for "To Mexico" ("a Mexico"). Tell them you have a car and they will give you a carbon copy of the form you filled out here to take the SAT office.
* Fumigation is at the beginning of the official buildings on the traffic median under the big roof over the road where it splits. (Cost: 38 Quetzals for a Toyota Campervan 5.2 mts long, Q17 for a Toyota Tacoma)
* After fumigation, pull up and park to the right under the covered area
* Everything else official is done at the SAT office slightly further uphill in the building in the traffic median.
* There is a bank just next door, uphill from the SAT office. Cost of import is currently Q160 (9/27/17)
* Photocopies "copias" and any legal work can be done at the shops about 10-20m uphill from the SAT office on the right (since you need a copy of the entry stamp in your passport you will almost certainly need to get copies done).
* There are no other fees - no bridge fees, parking fees or entry fees. Don't be scammed!

Note: As of early 2015 if trying to cross between Guatemala and Southern Mexico then Google Maps will likely direct you through the freight-only border crossing. Look for Talismán on the Mexican side and El Carmen on the Guatemalan side.

'''Mexico to Guatemala at La Mesilla 12th January 2016. Updated to include tourist permit and vehicle permit extensions in Guatemala City.'''
We crossed the Mexican/Guatemalan border on 12th January 2016 with our motorcycle. Our full experience is documented at the following location http://www.tiger800rtw.com/?p=1095 and includes GPS coordinates and photographs.

==Cost of entry==
* <price cost="40" currency="GTQ" /> for fumigation.
* <price cost="160" currency="GTQ" /> for the vehicle entry.

There is no cost entry into the country. see note below:
It seems that the 20 GTQ/person entry fee for Guatemala is a scam.  No one else paid the fee, and the immigration agent refused to give a receipt, stating that the passport stamp was the receipt.

If coming from [[Belize]], the bridge fee at the border is only <price cost="10" currency="GTQ" />, not more! They will try to charge you more!
If coming from Mexico, the bridge fee is 17 MXN.

'''NOTE:''' The CA-4 stamp that most nationalities get allowing entry to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua for 90 days is supposed to be free, but some customs officials will ask for money. Politely ask for a receipt, and '''do not pay''' unless you are given a receipt for this.
To avoid ire from the immigration officials it is recommended to pay the fee, which is dubbed "beer tax".
IF you don't pay, they may refuse entry for unknown reasons.

==Permitted length of stay==
90 days.
Guatemala is part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_America-4_Border_Control_Agreement CA-4 Border control agreement]. This agreement grants travel between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua for a TOTAL of 90-days. The number of days remaining on your CA4 is written in your passport as you travel from country to country. The 90-day limit begins when you enter any country that is part of the CA4 agreement. To avoid penalty and fines, Exit the CA4 countries and enter into Costa Rica or Mexico/Belize before the 90-days limit expires.

==Extension of stay==
In Guatemala City, you may, as a courtesy, receive one extension of 90 days for a tourist visa. You can also get your vehicle permit extended to match the date on your passport in Guatemala City.<br />

To extend your tourist visa you'll need to go to the Immigration Office [http://unwireme.com/step-by-step-guide-to-renewing-your-tourist-visa-in-guatemala-city/ Extranjeria] in Zone 4.  Direccion General de Inmigracion (Extranjeria), Avenida 6, 3-11, Zona 4, Open Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) 8:30am-4:30pm. Phone #: (502) 2411-2411
GPS: N14 37.297 W90 31.014.  '''This process takes 8 calendar days'''.  <br />

Bring:
* Black and white passport photo (available next door)
* Original passport
* Two copies of the passport photo page
* One copy of the Guatemalan passport stamp
* Completed application form (available at the information window)
* <price cost="118.50" currency="GTQ" /> (as of Feb 2013).

The process to have your car permit extended is a lot easier and can be done free of charge in Guatemala City in 15-20 minutes. The steps are outlined here [http://okantigua.com/driving-to-guatemala-how-to-extend-your-vehicles-import-permit/#post-10054 How To Extend Your Vehicle’s Import Permit]. It's recommended that you read all of the comments in the post. '''NOTE''', this process only works if you've already received a new stamp date on your passport either by using the above process through Immigracion or by leaving the country via air or ground.

Bring: 
* Your car (they will inspect it to make sure the VIN #'s match)
* Title of the car
* Current/Active Car Permit you are extending
* Passport

==Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country==
The vehicle import permit can be "temporarily extended" if you wish to visit a neighboring country such as Belize or Mexico, and reinstated once one decides to come back to the country.  All one needs to do is pay another visit to the Customs office and inform them of the dates one is leaving and returning.  Not official policy, but a courtesy they can extend to you.  They’re losing revenue by allowing people to stay in the country for long stretches of time without paying import taxes. <br />
Overlanders have left their vehicle in Guatemala and flown out of the country. Make sure you're back before the temporary import permit expires and you should be fine.

==Exiting with a vehicle==
* The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
* The registered owner is stamped out of Guatemala at immigration. 

Make sure you get the documentation signed and keep it. Upon re-entering Guatemala we were told that we never had our temporary import cancelled. We were sure we had but had not kept the paperwork from that time and so had no proof. This lead to 5 hours and a lot of money in fines and process getting back into Guatemala. 

'''NOTE:''' As with entering Guatemala, you will definitely encounter very pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See  [[Pan_American_Highway#Central_America|Central America Border Crossings]] for advice.

=== Re-entering Guatemala ===

If your vehicle leaves Guatemala then it will not be allowed back in again for another 90 days. There are however some ways around this. The record of the vehicle is tied to the VIN and the passport number of the owner. So one way around this re-entry limit, if you have 2 people, is to come back into the country with a different owner. At the border we were even told by an official how to do this: there was a notary right at the border who for a fee draw up documents that the SAT office recognised as the vehicle changing ownership. Another possibility is to fill in the sale portion of the title documentation but this may cause trouble back in the vehicle's home country. Another possibility I haven't tried is if you yourself have passports from 2 different countries then present the other passport (including at immigration) when entering.

=Driving in {{PAGENAME}}= 
==Recommended books for Overlanding in {{PAGENAME}}==
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==Travel insurance for {{PAGENAME}}==
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==Vehicle insurance requirements==
As of January 2017 and according to the officials at the borders of Tecun Uman, a road insurance is not mandatory.

===Cost of Insurance===
'''Liability only''' was about:
* <price cost="350" currency="GTQ" /> for 1 months (130,000 GTQ of liability, which is not much).
* <price cost="1000" currency="GTQ" /> for 6 months
* <price cost ="1500" currency="GTQ" /> for 12 months

===Where to purchase insurance===
Todo Riesgo has offices in both Santa Elena, Peten and Guatemala City. We went to the Guatemala City office to get insurance for Guatemala and it turned out the insurance covered us for all of Central America except for Belize and Panama.

Todo Riesgo address in Guatemala City: 7a Avenida "A" 4-40, zona 9, Guatemala, CA

Email: sramazzini@todoriesgo.net 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/todoriesgo.net/

Phone: 502-2380-1111

Ask for: Alejandra Mendoza or Sergio Ramazzini (I spoke Spanish, so don't know how good English is).

I was told today (31-MAR-2016) at the Todo Reisgo office in Guatemala City: They will let you order by email. They need copies of your passport, car registration, and title.

I bought maximum liability that they would sell me: 130,000 GTQ. Policy was good for BELIZE, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR, NICARAGUA and COSTA RICA. Not Panama. Doesn't seem to cover my car at all. They had 30 day, 60, 90, and 120.

12-NOV-2017 I corrected the domain name from todoreisgo.net to todoriesgo.net.   Someone previously made a typo.  You may verify at http://www.todoriesgo.net/index.php/contactenos

==Driving license==
Technically an [[International Driving Permit]] is required.  <br />
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.

==Driving side of road==
Right. <br />
Right hand drive vehicles are permitted without problem.

==Mandatory items in vehicle==
Fire extinguisher and safety triangles (2) for any roadside problems/accidents, etc. If a driver is stopped by the police, the absence of these items in the car can result in a citation and fine.

==Roads==
===General Road quality===
Roads in Guatemala vary greatly. The Pan American is paved and good quality for the length of the country, as are most other highways. Lesser roads are gravel and can be very bumpy and rutted. Towards the center of the country, roads are extremely bumpy and slow-going. During the rainy season many roads are impassable.

===Road signs===
Road signs are uncommon, and can not be relied upon.

===Toll roads===
The only toll road runs from Escuintla to Palin on the highway towards Guatemala City and costs <price cost="15.25" currency="GTQ" />, credit cards accepted.  By far the best road in the entire country.

==Bribery in {{PAGENAME}}==
Police bribery is relatively common in Guatemala, so you should expect it to happen.
See the [[bribery tips]] page for advice.

==Checkpoints==
Police checkpoints are not very common in Guatemala. You'll primarily be asked to show your Passport, [[Vehicle registration]], [[drivers license]], and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border.

It's a good idea to have copies of all important documents in a separate envelope. Police cannot confiscate official documents as they are considered to be personal property; however, if a police officer is insistent you can relinquish your copies instead.

==Traveling with pets==
Crossed October 2017 with two dogs from Belize to Guatemala- The "helpers" sent us to the office for animal paperwork.  We had copies of the documents from Belize and current vaccinations.  Presented those copies.  The man came to the truck and looked at the pets.  We had to pay $25Q at the bank window and take him the receipt.  He issued a paper with both dogs names and his signature.  
I don't think we HAD to do this.  I believe we could have driven on without anyone asking, as we did not have to show the paper at the gate or at the bridge.  But we have the paper and the dogs are legally imported into Guatemala.  (reported by www.slowcarfasthouse.com)

According to travelers in 2012, you need: <ref>[http://www.earthcircuit.org/blog/2012/08/19/central-american-borders-and-dogs/ Central American Borders and dogs]</ref>
<br>
Travelers in 2013 wrote this when traveling from [[Belize]] to Guatemala: <ref>[http://www.pawsontour.com/iea/reisen-mit-hund/erfahrungen-von-unterwegs/erfahrungen-von-unterwegs.html Traveling with dogs from Canada to Argentina. Experiences and Infos.]</ref>
<br>
* A Health Certificate for the animal in Spanish (updated at least every four months)
* A vaccination record (the European Pet Passport works well)
You might not be asked for either one, but you should have them ready.

=Gas and Diesel price in {{PAGENAME}}=
'''Last updated: <span style="color:red">January 2017</span>'''<br />

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{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Gasoline Grade
! Price
|-
| Regular
| <price cost="22.99" currency="GTQ" unit="galUS" /><ref>[http://theroadchoseme.com/antigua Antigua | The Road Chose Me]</ref>
|-
| Super (90)
| <price cost="24.59" currency="GTQ" unit="galUS" /><ref>[http://theroadchoseme.com/antigua Antigua | The Road Chose Me]</ref>
|-
| Premium (95)
| ??
|-
| Ultra (97)
| ??
|-
| Normal Diesel
| <price cost="2.38" currency="EUR" unit="galUS" />
|-
| Diesel (low sulfur)
| ??
|-
|}

==Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency==
Gasoline is common.

==Gas and Diesel Quality==
Accepted to be low quality. Low sulfur diesel is generally available.

=Safety and Security Considerations=
==Driving at night==
Driving at night is absolutely not recommended in Guatemala, due to safety considerations. 
* The North of the country near the [[Belize]] border is known to be especially dangerous.
* Driving all the way around Lake Atitlán (''Lago de Atitlán'') is not recommended - numerous Overlanders have encountered bandits along the road to the South.

==Vehicle parking==
Find a secure parking lot to park for any length of time. Price unknown.

==Special driving considerations==
Like most Central American countries, you need to expect the unexpected at all times.  Unlike Mexico, speed bumps are no longer called "topes" and are referred to as "tumulos" in Guatemala.

==Security advisories and information==
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=Camping in {{PAGENAME}}=
Camping is not popular in Guatemala, though you will find the odd spot if you keep a lookout.  Roadside camping can be OK in the smaller out-of-the-way places. <br />
The Police in Antigua offer a free campground in the middle of the city - a popular meeting place for Overlanders. See [[#Overland_Travel_Interest|Overland Travel Interest below]]

TURICENTRO AUTOMARISCOS, KM 33.8 Carr al Pacifico, Amatitlan, Guatemala.   Base camp for climbing Volcan Pacaya, and Indian market of Palin.
“Natural Hot Springs, Camping for RV and Tents - best in the Americas”
5 of 5 starsReviewed March 22, 2015
From Alaska to Argentina, driving the Pan AMerica Highway in a RV, we have never encountered such a paradise campground. Seafood Restaurant, Olympic Swimming Pool, 5 smaller pools, jacuzzi, vapor baths, picnic tables, barbeques, shelters, full hook ups for RVs, and free high speed WI-Fi.... what more!!!

    
Visited March 2015


==Camping guide books==
*[http://www.rollinghomes.com/mexico%20book.htm Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping] by Church - Known as THE bible for Mexican camping, the newer versions also have information for Guatemala and Belize.  Includes GPS co-ordinates, descriptions of campsites, and other pertinent info.  Very informative, especially for someone camping in a larger vehicle.

==Drinking water==
Tap water in Guatemala is not safe to drink. Even in populated tourist areas, such as Antiqua, tap water should not be considered safe. Most tourist restaurants will use filtered water for ice cubes and washing fruit and vegetables; however, these rules do not apply in rural, less touristy areas. To be safe, always drink bottled/filtered water and only eat fruits and vegetables that can be peeled.

=Navigation=
==Paper maps==
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in {{PAGENAME}}
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The [http://www.amazon.com/2011-Mexico-Atlas-Carreteras-Spanish/dp/6074031320/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321077573&sr=1-3 Mexico Road Atlas] (aka the Guia Roji) also has maps of Guatemala. It can be bought at gas stations within Mexico for around <price cost="20" currency="USD" />. It is updated yearly, and is in Spanish.

==GPS Maps of {{PAGENAME}}==
* Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.<ref>[http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=15.13&lon=-90.29&zoom=7&layers=M OpenStreetMap Guatemala]</ref>
* Cenrut: Free Open Source GPS map of Central America. Coverage is occasionally better than OSM. <ref>[http://www.cenrut.org/adw/over.htm Cenrut Mapping Project]</ref>
* Garmin: Apparently no map of Guatemala beside Garmin WorldMap.
* TomTom: No map of Guatemala. <ref>[http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9885/ TomTom Map availability]</ref>
* Google Maps Navigation: served us surprisingly well (mid-2015). It can get tricky in smaller towns as almost every street is one-way and either Google does not have the one-way direction it has it wrong.

==GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in {{PAGENAME}}==
* [http://ioverlander.com/ iOverlander] is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
*[http://www.pawsontour.com/iea/DOWNLOADS/GPS-Waypoints/gps-waypoints.html Places in Guatemala - Camping Places & Sights in Guatemala by Pawsontour]
* [http://liferemotely.com/trip-shenanigans/guatemala/197-guatemala-campgrounds-and-hotels Guatemala Campgrounds and Hotels - Life Remotely] - List of campgrounds and hostels with photos, GPS co-ordinates, descriptions and amenities from 2012]
*[http://www.dare2go.com/campingCA.html#Guatemala Camping Sites: Guatemala] - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
*[http://www.questconnect.org/ca_camping.htm Central America Camping Locations] - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
* [http://www.travelin-tortuga.com/Site/Camping_Log_1__Central_America.html Camping Log 1: Central America] - List of campsites, shopping, fuel, propane and border crossings with excellent descriptions and GPS co-ordinates.
* [http://www.whiteacorn.com/theamericas/camping/camping.php#log White Acorn camping log page] - GPS co-ordinates and excellent description of campsites]
*[https://www.anywhere.com/guatemala GUATEMALA] - A trip through the Guatemala with locations and prices recorded.

=Special Overland Travel interests=
* Camping in Antigua is free at the walled and guarded Tourist Police compound. Toilets and cold showers are free also. You are guaranteed to bump into other Overlanders here. The exact location in town is marked on the map in the Lonely Planet, or ask any Police officer for the ''Police Touristica''.  GPS coordinates: N14 33.347 W90 44.379 As recently as 2015 some people have had trouble getting in - keep persisting and you will get in.

* Length of stay and curfew can vary depending on the current attitude of the Tourist Police.  It's possible to gain permission to stay up to 3 weeks if you ask nicely.  Curfew is typically after 10pm and the gates will reopen at 6am.

=Vehicle Maintenance=
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==Local Garages==
* Puento Nuevo Centro de Servicio - In Coban (closest major town to Semuc Champey). Excellent mechanics and fair prices. GPS: 15.47108 -90.38497
* Toyota Dealership in Guatemala City - Typical dealership prices, but speak English and are very helpful. They can also recommend other reliable mechanics if you aren't near a dealership. GPS 14.635197 -90.583831

=Buy or sell a car or motorbike in {{PAGENAME}}=
'''Buy'''<br/>
Unknown.<br/>
''Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.''
''List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.''

'''Sell'''<br/>
Details and costs for importing a vehicle in Guatemala are listed here: [http://www.xelapages.com/howtoimportyourcarintoguatemala.htm How to import your car into Guatemala Taxes, Fees & Paperwork]

=References=
UnWireMe: [http://unwireme.com/how-to-extend-your-cars-import-permit-while-in-guatemala/ Extend Your Car's Import Permit While In Guatemala]
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=Helpful External links=
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