Practical Information

A 10 to 15% tip is usually recommended. More often than not, tips are not included in the prices of meals or other services. The sales tax (VAT) is 10% of the total amount of the purchase. The hotel room tourist tax is also 10%.

National holidays

The following dates are national holidays in Guatemala:

January 1st – New Year

March/April – Easter (wed, thur & friday)

May 1st – Labour Day

June 30th – Army Day

August 15th – only Guatemala City

September 15th – Independence Day

October 20th - Celebration of the Revolution of 1944

November 1st - All Saints Day

December 24th – Christmas Eve (afternoon only)

December 25th – Christmas

December 31st – New Year’s Eve (afternoon only)

Celebrations:

In Guatemala every town celebrates its own fiesta with folkloric dances as well as social, cultural and sports events that vary little throughout the country. Have a look at the highlights:

Easter Week in Guatemala

Folkloric Festival in Cobán

All Saints Day in Todos Santos

Celebration of Santo Tomás

Electricity:

The visitor will generally find standard American outlets. The current used throughout the country is 110 volts, 60 Hz. European travellers might be advised to bring a voltage converter with them if their appliances do not have one built-in.

Currency:

The official currency is the Quetzal. It is divided into quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. US dollars and credit cards are welcome in most places. Exchange rate december 2000: US$ 1 = 7.63 Q

Money exchange:

When you arrive at the airport you can exchange money, as well as in the hotels or any bank within the country. You must fill out the respective forms. If the traveler is leaving the country and wishes to exchange quetzales for dollars, the following rules apply: Any amount will be exchanged in the bank located in the airport, which is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Banking Hours:

Most banks open at 9:00 a.m., and some banks close at 3:00 p.m., but others close as late as 7:00 and 8:00 in the evening, from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, they are usually open only from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Automatic Tellers are open for the convenience of their customers 24 hours a day, especially for those tourists who travel to the interior of the country.

National Tourist Board (INGUAT)

If you have any problem, they are there to help you. Please call INGUAT's offices at:

In Guatemala City

Daily: 8am - 4pm – Tel. 33 130 75

Daily: 6am – 8am & 4pm – 9pm – Tel. 33 142 56

Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: Tel. 33 142 56

Faxes: 3318893 and 3322881

Antigua: 8320763

Quetzaltenango: 7614931

Panajachel : 7621392

Flores Petén: 9260533