El Salvador Tours

As with the rest of Central America and the Caribbean, the best time to visit Guatemala tends to be the dry season, which runs from November to April. The days tend to be sunny with warm and pleasant temperatures. However, be aware that it can get chilly at night — particularly at altitude. This is probably the best time to come if you’re looking to go hiking or hit the beach — time it with Semana Santa in March or April for extra festivities. June tends to be wet and humid, though it’s also a good time to spot wildlife. It’s turtle nesting season on the coast, and it’s a good time for birdwatching too. The beginning of November sees the end of the hurricane season and the Día de Todos los Santos — known as el Día de los Muertos in neighbouring Guatemala.

Temperature-wise, Guatemala is fairly predictable. The Pacific and Caribbean coasts are hot year-round, reaching highs of around 32°C (89.6°F). The highlands around Antigua and Lake Atitlán are cooler but still sunny — around 22°C (71.6°F) on average in January and December. Temperatures here can really drop at night — particularly at altitude. Take a jacket. The dry season runs from November to April, whereas the wet season runs from May to October or November — which also includes hurricane season. Like the rest of the region, the worst of the rain falls in September and October — reaching highs of 250mm (9.84 inches).

Tipping is fairly common across Latin America, especially in restaurants and bars where 10% is added to the bill. Of course, if you’ve enjoyed a particular other service, then you’re more than welcome to tip\! There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Plus, at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is more than appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline USD $5-7 per person, per day can be used.

You’ll find Wi-Fi in most restaurants, hostels, hotels, bars and in some public spaces too in Guatemala. Expect it to be fairly good in most places, but in rural areas expect it to be more limited — and completely non-existent when trekking or hiking. As many places here are also run by generators, expect Wi-Fi to often go down during bad weather and downpours.

While ATMs are widely available in towns and cities, they may not be available in rural areas, and there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work here. Check with your bank before you travel. Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances, and Visa cards tend to be the most widely accepted cards here. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money — bring USD in cash too, which can easily be exchanged. As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: [www.xe.com](http://www.xe.com).

Even though it’s legal to be LGBTQ+ in Guatemala, it’s still a relatively conservative country, and same-sex marriage is still currently banned. It pays to be discreet and we’d recommend avoiding public displays of affection — particularly in rural areas. You’ll find a small gay scene however in both Antigua and Guatemala City, though it’s fairly underground. As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgement, free from any discriminatory language or harassment. While travelling with G Adventures, all travellers must treat each other with dignity and respect to create an environment that is positive, safe, and where everyone feels welcome. You can find out more via our [LGBTQ+ travel page](https://www.gadventures.com/about-us/lgbtq-travel/).

Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, and it’s spoken by around 55% of the population. Several other languages — 22 Mayan and two indigenous languages — are also spoken here, and these include K'iche, Garífuna and Xinca.

In a word, no — tap water in Guatemala isn’t safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available throughout the country though and is relatively cheap. Please note however that all drinks provided on our tours are safe to drink (including drinks with ice), as well as the water in most hotels and restaurants visited on tour. If in doubt, please ask your CEO for further info.

Most visits to Guatemala are safe. However, it should be noted that there are fairly high levels of crime here — particularly within the capital Guatemala City. You should be wary of pickpockets in large towns and cities, as well as tourist scams in Granada. You should also be aware that hurricanes occasionally make landfall here and earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions can occur too. Take heed of local warnings. When trekking, be aware that in remote areas, the temperature can drop off at altitude and there have been robberies reported. G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour. However, there are always inherent risks when travelling — you can find out more via our [travel safety page](https://www.gadventures.com/travel-resources/safety/).