TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(GTQ)
Quetzal, (USD) U.S Dollar |
| Electrical |
120 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 502, City Code Guatemala Area 2+7D, Suburban Zone 6+7D,
Interurban Zone 7+7D |
Time:
GMT - 6.
Electricity:
115-125 volts AC, 60Hz. There are some regional variations.
Telephone:
IDD is available. Country code: 502. Outgoing international code:
00. Telephone calls to Europe are slightly cheaper between 1900
and 0700.
Climate:
Guatemala’s climate varies according to altitude. The coastal
regions and the northeast are hot throughout the year with an
average temperature of 20°C (68°F) sometimes rising to
37°C (99°F). Generally, nights are clear all year round.
In higher climes, near the centre of the country, the rainy season,
running from May to September, is characterised by clear skies
after abundant rainfall in the afternoons and evenings. Temperatures
fall sharply at night.
Required
clothing: Lightweight tropicals. Jacket or light woollens
for the evening.
Food
& Drink: There is a variety of restaurants and cafes
serving a wide selection of cooking styles including American,
Argentinian, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Mexican and Spanish.
Fast-food chains also have outlets here and there are many continental-style
cafes. The visitor should note that food varies in price rather
than quality.
Shopping:
Special purchases include textiles, handicrafts, jewellery, jade
carvings, leather goods, ceramics and basketry. Markets are best
for local products and bargaining is necessary. Ceramics can be
purchased cheaply in many places including Villa de Chinautla,
San Luis Jilotepeque and Rabinal. Cobán is the cheapest
place to buy silverware. The Central Market in Guatemala City
and the Craft Market provide a range of crafts combining traditional
and modern styles. Guatemala City contains many modern shopping
centres and malls. Gran Centro Comercial Los Proceres, Galerias
La Pradera, Plaza Cemaco and Geminis International Mall are all
located in Zone 10. In addition, visitors may make use of the
facilities at Tikal Futura, Peri-Roosevelt Shopping Mall and the
Century Shopping Centre. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1930. Malls
are also open on Sunday.
Tipping:
10 per cent is normal in restaurants where service has not been
included.
Currency:
Quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of Q100,
50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of Q1, and 50,
25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.
Currency
exchange: The Quetzal is extremely difficult to obtain
outside Guatemala or exchange after leaving Guatemala, and visitors
are strongly advised to exchange local currency before departure.
It may be difficult to negotiate notes which are torn. Unused
local currency can be exchanged at the bank at the airport (opening
hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2000.) ATMs are common throughout the country.
Credit
& debit cards: Visa and American Express are accepted,
whilst Diners Club and MasterCard have a more limited acceptance.
Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant
acceptability and other services that may be available.
Travellers
cheques: Accepted by most banks and good hotels, although
visitors may experience occasional problems. To avoid additional
exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers
cheques in US Dollars.
