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">September 2014</span>'''

==Required Paperwork==
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* Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
* [[Vehicle registration]] (original and 1 copy).
* [[Drivers license]] of registered owner (original and 1 copy).

==Process at border==
* Your vehicle will be fumigated, which costs <price cost="18" currency="GTQ" />. Be sure to get a receipt.
* The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (''migración''), including a stamp in their Passport.
* 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.

==Cost of entry==
* <price cost="18" 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!

'''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.

==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 both the temporary import permit and the tourist visa.<br />
As of February 2013, '''after one extension (for 180 days total) your vehicle must remain out of the country for 90 days before you can apply for another temporary import permit.''' <br/>
You must extend your tourist visa first, at 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).
To extend your temporary vehicle import permit, go to the SAT office at the airport.  GPS: N14 35.056 W90 31.829.  Bring:
* Original import permit
* Original passport with valid tourist visa 

==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. 

'''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.

=Driving in {{PAGENAME}}= 
==Recommended books for Overlanding in {{PAGENAME}}==
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==Travel insurance for {{PAGENAME}}==
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==Vehicle insurance requirements==
Insurance is not required in Guatemala.

===Cost of insurance===
N/A

===Where to purchase insurance===
N/A

==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 15.25 Quetzales, 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==
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">March 2015</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="19.99" currency="GTQ" 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 now available at some stations.

=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]]

==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>

==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]
*[http://www.odysseyatlas.com/anita/trip/Guatemala GUATEMALA] - A trip through the Guatemala with gps 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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<references />

=Helpful External links=
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