LANGUAGE

The official language is Spanish but English is spoken in many places. You can also hear different languages from the Mayan culture. Top

POPULATION

Guatemala has approximately 9,000,000 inhabitants, of which 53% are descendants of the Mayan peoples, who conserve the values of their culture and at the same time are incorporated into the productive processes of the country. The rest of the people is divided into Mestizo (ladino), Creole (native of Spanish descent), European and on the northeastern coast there is also a small group of people of African origin whose forebears were brought during the colonial era as slaves. Top

ECONOMY

Coffee is the mainstay of the economy, followed by tourism, which has become the second most important source of revenue in recent years and third the no traditional products exports. The rest of de economy consists of a very rich diversity of products. Top

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation consists of urban and rural buses, taxis, vehicle rentals of all types, airplanes and helicopters.
Travel agencies and tour operator provide organized tours on luxury buses, airplanes and water transportation. Top

COMMUNICATION

Empresa Guatemalteca de Telecomunicaciones (GUATEL) offer service of telephonograms, telex, fax and international telephone access, it also features a modern television system which, along with de daily press, covers local and international events. Top

SHOPPING

Guatemala is an ideal place to buy textiles, carved wood, silver and jade jewelry, masks and many other handicrafts. Many towns around de country produce beautiful ceramics that can be had for a good price. Top

ENTERTAINMENT

The majority of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs present shows featuring local and foreign performers. Concert, plays and ballets are performed regularly in the capital and some other cities. The most important museums and art galleries in the country are located in the capital, La Antigua Guatemala, Tikal National Park and other places. Top

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Guatemala offers guests a prime opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities at the same time as contact with the Mayan people and nature. Hang gliding can be practiced above the lakes of Atitlán and Amatitlán, this one to only 15 minutes from Guatemala City. Almost all of the country volcanoes can be climbed. The Pacific coast is one of the best places in the world for sportfishing. Top

CONVENTIONS

The country can provide all the facilities and hotel infrastructure necessary for conventions, congresses and meetings. In addition to the Miguel Angel Asturias Cultural Center. A meeting in Guatemala allows you to combine business with tours to places of interest, since impressive archeological sites, traditional communities and the heart of the modern capital city are all close at hand. Top

BUSINESS HOURS

Banks are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday trough Friday, while businesses usually remain open until 9:00 p.m. Some offices open Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There are 24-hour automatic tellers in several locations. Private companies work Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Shopping centers are open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Government offices usually work Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Top

AIRLINES

Guatemala is easily reached from many points. Several airlines, including Iberia, Continental, KLM, United, American, Mexicana, Taca and Aviateca have daily flights into Guatemala. Connections are easily arranged with airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia and British airways, which fly to the United States and Mexico. Mexicana, Aviateca and KLM fly to Guatemala from Mexico city, and there are also connections from Cancún, Mérida and Belize. Central and South América are easily reached via airlines such as Sam, Lacsa, Taca, Aviateca, Ladeco, Copa, Aerocaribe, and Tropic Air. Top

GROUND TRANSPORT

Visitors can arrive in Guatemala though Mexico, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. The Panamerican Highway crosses the entire country from Mexico to El Salvador (511 Kilometers). Guatemala has beaches on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, where cruise ships and yachts drop anchor at the ports of Quetzal, Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla.
Immigration requirements.
Immigration requirements vary according to the visitor’s country of origin, but a valid passport is always required. You should check with the Guatemalan Embassy or Consulate or their nearest travel agency. Top

MONEY EXCHANGE

All banks are authorized to exchange any foreign currency, but it is easiest to exchange U.S. Dollars. Lloyds Bank and the Banco Internacional in Guatemala City also exchange German marks.
Informal money exchanges on the street are not recommended. Top

LOCAL CURRENCY

The national currency is the Quetzal, but U.S. Dollars are accepted everywhere, as are credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Dinner’s Club. Top

ELECTRICITY

Guatemala uses 110 volts, both in the capital and the provinces. Visitors bringing electrical appliances without a built-in voltage adapter should also bring a voltage converter. Top