Travel advisory · GuatemalaGuatemala City is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: Guatemala City, Zone 11, Guatemala City, Zone 12, Guatemala City, Zone 18, Guatemala City, Zone 19, Guatemala City, Zone 21, Guatemala City, Zone 24, Guatemala City, Zone 3, Guatemala City, Zone 5, Guatemala City, Zone 6, Guatemala City, Zone 7, Guatemala City, Zone 8.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 5 km strip along the Mexican border · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Guatemala City, Zone 11 · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 12 · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 18 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy, US
- Guatemala City, Zone 19 · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 21 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 24 · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 3 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 5 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 6 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 7 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 8 · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Huehuetenango Department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy, US
- Izabal Department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- La Democracia · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
- Mixco · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
- Petén Department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- San Antonio Huista · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
- San Marcos Department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy, US
- Santa Ana Huista · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
- Villa Nueva · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy, US
Also named by one government: Areas around active volcanoes (Germany), Agua Caliente border with Honduras (Canada), Alta Verapaz Department (Italy), Anguiatu border with El Salvador (Canada), Chiquimula Department (Italy), El Carmen border with Mexico (Canada), El Ceibo border with Mexico (Canada), El Corinto border with Honduras (Canada), El Florido border with Honduras (Canada), Escuintla Department (Spain), Guatemala City, Zone 1 (Canada), Guatemala City, Zone 13 (Italy), Guatemala City, Zone 17 (Italy), Guatemala City, Zone 20 (Italy), Guatemala City, Zone 22 (Italy), Guatemala City, Zone 23 (Italy), Ixchiguán (Italy), La Hachadura border with El Salvador (Canada), La Mesilla border with Mexico (Canada), Melchor de Mencos border with Belize (Canada), Quetzaltenango Department (Italy), San Cristobal border with El Salvador (Canada), San José (Escuintla Department) (Canada), San Pedro Ayampuc (Guatemala Department) (Canada), Siquinilá (Escuintla Department) (Canada), Tajumulco (Italy), Tecun Uman border with Mexico (Canada), Tiquisate (Escuintla Department) (Canada), Villa Canales (Guatemala Department) (Canada)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Mar 12, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Besondere Vorsicht walten lassen; keine generelle Reisewarnung (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | vigilance renforcée (en jaune) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Guatemala City
The capital and main air gateway to Guatemala, with Maya museums and a road link to the colonial town of Antigua.
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Guatemala City is the capital and largest city of Guatemala. Most international flights land at La Aurora International Airport, so many travelers pass through it on arrival or departure. The historic center in Zona 1 is built around the National Palace of Culture, and newer districts such as Zona 10 have many of the city's restaurants and hotels. Stay in Zona 10 if you want restaurants and hotels close together, or in Zona 1 if the historic center is your main interest.
The main reason to stay is the museums. The National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology holds Maya and other Guatemalan collections, and the Popol Vuh Museum in Zona 10 focuses on Maya culture. Plan one or two nights for a short stop, since Antigua, the colonial town, is a short drive away. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the easiest time to travel.
Guatemala City in five
- Choose your zone before you bookUK advice says no part of the city is free from crime, Zona 10 included. Take care in Zona 1, treat Zonas 6, 7 and 8 with caution and use reputable chain hotels if you stay in the outer Zonas 18 to 25.Where to stay in Guatemala City
- Buy a prepaid taxi voucher at the airportUK advice says INGUAT sells prepaid taxi vouchers at its office in the arrivals terminal. Radio-dispatched taxis, hotel taxis and Uber where available are the safer choices for short trips.Airport to Antigua
- Fill in the immigration form before you landYou must complete Guatemala's online immigration declaration before you enter or exit. Print the confirmation email or screenshot its QR code; airport terminals exist but can slow your arrival.Visas and entry
- Plan two days at mostTwo days cover the national museums, a Zona 10 evening and a half day in the historic center by taxi. Antigua is the usual next stop.Guatemala City in 2 days
- Avoid public busesUK advice says to avoid the repainted US school buses because of attacks, extortion and accidents. Some intercity buses stop on the city outskirts rather than the center.Getting around Guatemala
Things to do in Guatemala City
See all attractions in Guatemala City
Need to know
- Airport
- La Aurora (GUA), in Zona 13
- Getting there
- By air; some intercity buses stop on the outskirts
- Getting around
- Hotel or radio-dispatched taxis, Uber where available
- Best base
- Zona 10 or Zona 13 for short stays
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Dry, cool nightsJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool nights
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh26°Low13°Dry, sunnyFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- MarchPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh27°Low14°Dry, warmMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Dry, hazyAprilRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hazy
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Rains startMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 203 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low16°Wet afternoonsJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 387 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wet afternoons
- JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low15°Wet, some dry daysJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 220 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wet, some dry days
- AugustRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low15°WetAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 293 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wet
- SeptemberRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low15°WettestSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 345 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wettest
- OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°WetOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 249 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Rains easeNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- DecemberPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Dry, coolDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
Average daily high and low in Guatemala City, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Guatemala City
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 54%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Guatemala City
04:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°16°78%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Tue27°16°82%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Wed27°16°69%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Thu27°16°77%Thursday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Fri28°16°67%Friday: Fog. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sat26°16°90%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sun27°16°75%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 02:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 7.656 GTQ
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Antigua Guatemalaabout 1 hour by road, longer in trafficColonial streets and volcano views; the usual first base after landing.Read the guide
- Lake Atitlánhalf a day by shuttle; better as an overnightLake villages reached by boat, best with a night or two.Read the guide
- Pacaya volcanohalf day with a registered guideA shorter guided volcano hike; check CONRED conditions first.
Before you go to Guatemala City
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Guatemala City, checked
- The airport departure tax is 30 US dollars (or the same in quetzales), normally included in the ticket price.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Complete the online immigration declaration before you enter or exit; keep the confirmation email or a screenshot of its QR code.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Prepaid taxi vouchers are sold at the INGUAT office in the airport arrivals terminal; use hotel or radio-dispatched taxis for short trips.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Guatemala City
Colonial streets and volcano hikes, close to the airport.
Read the guideQuetzaltenangoCool highland city for hot springs and volcano days.
Read the guideLake AtitlánVolcano-ringed lake villages reached by boat.
Read the guideAll of GuatemalaEntry rules, routes and the best months.
Read the guideGuatemala City FAQ
Is Guatemala City worth visiting?
For a night or two, yes. The national museums, the Popol Vuh collection of Maya art and the Zona 10 restaurants fill a day, and the city is the practical hub for flights. Most visitors then move on to Antigua.
Is Guatemala City safe for tourists?
Most visitors pass through without trouble, but UK advice is blunt: no zone is free from crime. Stay in Zona 10, 13 or 4, take taxis, keep valuables out of sight and walk only short distances in daylight.
How far is Antigua from Guatemala City airport?
Roughly an hour by road in good conditions, longer at rush hour or in rain. A booked transfer or shuttle is the usual choice, and a prepaid taxi voucher from the INGUAT desk is the fallback.
Which zone is best to stay in Guatemala City?
Zona 10 for restaurants and services, Zona 13 for the airport and Zona 4 for a compact evening. Zona 1 suits daytime sights more than a first night. Avoid the outer zones unless you use a reputable chain hotel.
Can you visit Guatemala City on a long layover?
Yes, with a wide margin. A taxi to the museums in Zona 13, next to the airport, or to a Zona 10 lunch fits a long gap, but leave time for traffic and for the immigration form, which can slow arrival. On a short layover, stay in the terminal.