WorldNorth AmericaGuatemala
Guatemala
Antigua and Lake Atitlán are the heart of Central America's backpacker circuit and one of the cheapest places on the continent to learn Spanish one-to-one. Volcanoes, markets and Tikal's jungle pyramids fill the rest of a month easily.
Entry and visas
Citizens of the US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia and many others receive 90 days on arrival without a visa under the Central America-4 agreement, which covers Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua together (the 90 days are shared across all four). Extensions are possible at immigration in Guatemala City.
| Passport | Category | Max days | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Visa-free (CA-4) 90 days shared across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua under the CA-4 agreement; extensions at immigration in Guatemala City. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| GB | Visa-free (CA-4) 90 days shared across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua under the CA-4 agreement; extensions at immigration in Guatemala City. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| DE | Visa-free (CA-4) 90 days shared across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua under the CA-4 agreement; extensions at immigration in Guatemala City. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| CA | Visa-free (CA-4) 90 days shared across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua under the CA-4 agreement; extensions at immigration in Guatemala City. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| AU | Visa-free (CA-4) 90 days shared across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua under the CA-4 agreement; extensions at immigration in Guatemala City. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
Remote work and long stays
No dedicated nomad visa (up to 90 days): CA-4 tourist entry with extensions; no remote-work category. official source ↗
Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Entry rules are research summaries with their official source and the date we last checked them; they are not eligibility decisions. Check the official page before you travel. Open the Visa & Work Finder →
Safety
Guatemala City has serious crime; Antigua, Atitlán, Flores and the main tourist routes are far calmer but armed robbery on hiking trails and on some roads does occur. Use tourist shuttles rather than chicken buses at night, and hike volcanoes with guides.
Official advisory: Guatemala - Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State, ). UK FCDO advice ↗
Health
Private clinics in Antigua and the capital are adequate; evacuation insurance matters. Altitude at Atitlán and Antigua is moderate (1,500 m).
Money
Quetzales; cash dominates outside Antigua. Bank ATMs (5B, Banco Industrial) with fees; cards accepted in Antigua's restaurants and hotels.
Tipping: 10 percent in restaurants · Tap water: Not drinkable
Getting around
Tourist shuttles connect Antigua, Atitlán, Lanquín and Flores; chicken buses are cheap, colourful and slow. Uber works in Antigua and the capital.
SIMs and connectivity
Claro and Tigo sell SIMs for a dollar or two with cheap data packages.
