Guatemala Tourist Visa: Central America Entry Guide
Enter Guatemala with the right documents for visiting Tikal, Antigua, and Lake Atitlan. Covers visa-free entry, CA-4 regional agreement, required documents, border crossings, and practical tips.
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Entry Requirements
Check your visa-free status under the CA-4 agreement
Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and most Western countries enter Guatemala visa-free for up to 90 days under the CA-4 agreement. The CA-4 covers Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua as a single immigration zone. Your 90 days are shared across all four countries. Time spent in Honduras counts against your Guatemala allowance.
Carry a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry
Guatemala requires 6 months passport validity from the date of entry. Airlines check this before boarding. Your passport must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp. If your passport is damaged, worn, or has limited blank pages, consider renewing before travel.
Show proof of a return or onward ticket if asked
Immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel, though this is checked inconsistently at land borders. Airlines are more likely to verify at check-in. A return flight, bus ticket to Mexico, or any onward booking satisfies the requirement. Budget bus tickets to Mexico or Belize can be purchased for 20-40 USD.
The CA-4 Agreement
Understand that your 90 days are shared across four countries
The CA-4 agreement between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua allows free movement between these four countries under a single 90-day entry. Your 90-day clock starts when you enter any CA-4 country. If you spend 30 days in Honduras and then enter Guatemala, you have 60 days remaining. Border crossings between CA-4 countries do not reset the clock.
Exit the CA-4 zone to reset your 90 days
To get a fresh 90 days, you must leave all four CA-4 countries. Cross into Mexico (north) or Costa Rica/Panama (south) for 72 hours, then re-enter the CA-4 zone. Belize also resets the clock as it is not part of CA-4. A 72-hour minimum stay outside the CA-4 is the enforced standard. Day trips to Mexico or Belize do not reliably reset the period.
Extend your stay at the Guatemala Immigration office
Visit the Direccion General de Migracion in Guatemala City (6a Av. 3-11, Zona 4) to extend your stay. An extension costs 200 GTQ (approximately 25 USD) and grants up to 90 additional days beyond your initial 90. Bring your passport, 2 photos, and proof of funds. Apply at least 1 week before your 90 days expire. Processing takes 2-5 business days.
Arrival in Guatemala
Clear immigration at La Aurora International Airport
La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City handles most international arrivals. Immigration processing takes 15-30 minutes. The officer stamps your passport with the CA-4 entry date. Have your hotel address and return flight details ready. The airport is in zone 13, approximately 20 minutes from the historic center.
Enter by land from Mexico at La Mesilla or El Carmen
The busiest Mexico-Guatemala crossings are La Mesilla (Pacific Highway from Mexico's Chiapas) and El Carmen/Talisman (near Tapachula). Both operate from 6 AM to 8 PM daily. Guatemala does not charge an entry fee. Mexico charges an exit fee of approximately 600 MXN (30 USD) payable in pesos. Processing takes 30-60 minutes at each side.
Enter from Belize at Benque Viejo or by boat from Livingston
The Benque Viejo crossing connects Belize's western border to Guatemala's Melchor de Mencos, the gateway to Tikal. Belize charges a 40 BZD (20 USD) exit fee. Guatemala does not charge an entry fee. Water taxis connect Punta Gorda (Belize) to Livingston (Guatemala) on the Caribbean coast for 100-150 BZD (50-75 USD).
During Your Stay
Carry your passport when traveling between cities
Police checkpoints exist on highways between major cities, particularly on routes to and from Guatemala City. Officers check passports and may ask to see your entry stamp. Carry your original passport rather than a photocopy when traveling outside your base city. Immigration checks at tourist sites like Tikal are not standard.
Track your CA-4 days across all four countries
Keep a running count of your days in the CA-4 zone. If you cross between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, your total combined stay across all four cannot exceed 90 days without an extension. Border stamps from each country help track your entries and exits. Overstaying the CA-4 results in fines at departure.
Practical Tips
Exchange money at banks or ATMs in cities
The Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ) is the local currency. As of 2026, 1 USD equals approximately 7.8-8.0 GTQ. ATMs at Banrural and BAM banks are the most reliable. US dollars are accepted at tourist businesses in Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and Flores (Tikal gateway). Markets, local buses, and small towns require quetzales. Carry cash for rural areas.
Get a Tigo or Claro SIM card for data
Tigo and Claro sell prepaid SIM cards at airports, phone shops, and convenience stores for 20-50 GTQ (2.50-6.30 USD). Data packages with 3-10 GB cost 50-150 GTQ (6.30-19 USD) for 30 days. Coverage is good in cities, Antigua, and Lake Atitlan towns. Rural areas and highland villages may have limited signal. Download offline maps for areas with poor coverage.
Use Antigua as a base for exploring the central highlands
Antigua Guatemala is the most popular tourist base, 45 minutes from Guatemala City. Shuttle buses connect Antigua to Lake Atitlan (3 hours, 100-150 GTQ), Semuc Champey (8-10 hours, 200-350 GTQ), and Guatemala City airport (1 hour, 80-120 GTQ). Antigua has the country's best tourist infrastructure including Spanish schools, hostels, restaurants, and tour operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Guatemala?
US citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days under the CA-4 agreement. Entry is visa-free with a valid passport (6 months minimum validity). The 90 days are shared with Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. No advance application is needed.
What is the CA-4 agreement?
The CA-4 is a regional agreement between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua that allows visa-free movement between the four countries under a single 90-day period. Your 90 days start when you enter any CA-4 country and the clock does not reset when crossing between them. To get a new 90 days, exit the CA-4 zone entirely (to Mexico, Belize, or Costa Rica) for at least 72 hours.
Is Guatemala safe for tourists?
The main tourist areas including Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Tikal, Semuc Champey, and Rio Dulce are generally safe. Guatemala City has areas with high crime, particularly zones 1, 5, 6, and 18. Use registered transport, avoid traveling between cities after dark, and do not display expensive electronics. Hire local guides for volcano hikes. The tourist police (PROATUR) operate in popular areas and provide free assistance.
How do I get from Guatemala City to Tikal?
The fastest option is a domestic flight from Guatemala City to Flores (45 minutes, 100-200 USD round trip). Flores is the gateway town to Tikal, 1 hour by shuttle. Night buses from Guatemala City to Flores take 8-10 hours and cost 200-400 GTQ (25-50 USD). From Antigua, shuttles to Flores take 10-12 hours. From Belize, cross at Benque Viejo to Melchor de Mencos and take a 2-hour shuttle to Tikal.