GUATEMALA

Overview
The beautiful country of Guatemala, bordered by Mexico on the north, Belize on the east, and El Salvador and Honduras on the south , has a surface area of 108,889 square kilometers, (42,042 square miles). It is located in the tropics and has a range of climates that vary according to the altitude.

The rainy season runs from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The average yearly temperature is 75 degrees F. However, in mountainous areas, the nighttime temperatures may fall below freezing, and daytime temperatures in coastal areas may surpass 100 degrees F. Guatemala is a small country with a striking variety of topographic features. Nearly two-thirds of the country is mountainous and volcanic.

Parallel to the Pacific lies the Sierra Madre mountain range, with peaks that rise to an elevation of up to 12,000 feet. 33 volcanoes dot the landscape, and these, with lush tropical rain forests to the north, the fertile plains of the south and east, the beautiful lakes and rivers, make this a land of varied contrasts.

The People
Guatemala has approximately 11 million inhabitants of which 3.5 million live in the capital city. Approximately 4 million inhabitants belong to one of 21 ethnolinguistic Mayan groups who have retained their cultural traditions There is also a large mestizo population. The Caribbean coastal population has retained its Afrocarribean roots.

Climate/Clothes
Guatemala is a country where temperatures vary. We recommend that you bring light clothing for day use and a jacket for the evenings when it's a bit cooler.

Local Time
Guatemala does not turn its clock back or forward. So during Standard Time in the USA and Canada, Guatemala's time corresponds to US. Central Time. During the summer Daylight Savings period, the local time corresponds to US. Mountain Time.

Language
Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, but 21 Mayan groups have kept their ancestral languages alive. Garífuna and Xinca are also spoken. . English is spoken in all main tourist centers.

Currency
The official currency is the quetzal which is equivalent to approximately 13 US cents. US dollars and credit cards are welcome in most places.

Health Aviseries
There are no serious health issues in any of the major tourist areas. However, to be on the safe side, drink only bottled water. Also, be vary wary of eating in sparsely populated fancy restaurants.

Entry & Exit Policies
For residents of most countries, a valid passport is all that is required to enter Guatemala. Check with your local Guatemalan consulate for the latest information. There is, however a US $20 airport exit tax.