After two trips to Guatemala totaling nearly six weeks, and time spent in four major areas of the country, I feel like I’ve gotten the hang of this place a bit. It is a country that offers something for everyone: history, natural beauty, good food, wonderful people, and so much more!
But as with any country, there are some basic cultural and logistical differences between Guatemala and wherever you’re coming from. So this list is meant to let you know some of those. I’ve organized it a bit by category for ease of use. We will go macro to micro in the categories, just because.
Things to know about the country
1. Infrastructure is a work in progress
Guatemala is still a developing country, despite huge progress in recent decades. As such, some of the infrastructure remains a bit less modern than many of us are used to. For instance, in most places, even in major hotels, flushing toilet paper could overload the system, so trash cans are provided next to toilets. Likewise, hot water isn’t always a guarantee, though in large hotels you’re probably safe there.
Another aspect of the infrastructure to be aware of is tap water. It is NOT safe to drink, and it is even recommended not to use it to brush your teeth. I personally tend to also opt to not have ice in my drinks, despite being told that 95% uses filtered water.
2. There is no working postal service
Yep, that’s right. Guatemala’s postal service ceased functioning in 2016. Want to send a postcard back to the U.S.? You can use DHL at a cost of roughly $4 each. And that even assumes you can find postcards, as they are rare here given the lack of sending them options.
3. Transportation can have some challenges
While Guatemala City has some specified bus lines, most of the country is served by privately owned “chicken buses,” old yellow school buses repurposed here. These have mixed reviews as far as safety goes. So private/shared shuttle services are the best way to get between cities.
Within Guatemala City, or from there to Antigua Guatemala, you can use Uber, although my experience within the city was a lot of dropped rides after they were originally accepted. (My theory is that I specify payment by credit card on the app and some drivers want cash.)
Taxis are also plentiful, although outside Guatemala City those are mainly in the form of three-wheeled tuktuks.
A note on traffic in Guatemala City. It can be brutal. Apparently car ownership is way up and people just want to drive everywhere. Check how long it will take to get somewhere before going, especially if it’s to the airport.
4. Oh so many dogs
While it is worst – in my experience – in Panajachel at Lake Atitlan, dogs are a huge issue here in Guatemala. You’ll find them all over the place: on the streets, walking into cafes and restaurants that are open, and more. Some are pets; others are wild.
Guatemalans are significantly less likely than Americans to get their dogs fixed, so as some ended up on the street, they bred. And the result is that dogs are everywhere. And some are loud, barking at any and all hours. (Most are super well behaved around people, but don’t feed or pet them unless you want to be followed.)
5. Guatemala has volcanos and earthquakes
This is a seismically active country. There are dozens of volcanos, although only a few are regularly active, like Volcan de Fuego above Antigua, which puffs every few minutes. (I find it awesome to watch.) Likewise, there is always the danger of a major earthquake.
If these things worry you, you might want to find a different destination. Or just realize that major earthquakes are exceedingly rare, and the active volcanos are heavily monitored.
Things to know about the people
6. Guatemalans tend to be short
This obviously doesn’t affect much, but if you are tall back in the U.S., you’ll be a giant here. It also means that in some places, especially Mayan ruins, you might have to duck regularly, and to be extra careful with old stone steps as they are very narrow. (If you are merely of average American height like me, just enjoy feeling a bit taller.)
7. Mayan culture is alive today
Part of the reason so many Guatemalans are short is their Mayan heritage. Nearly half the country can trace at least a portion of their lineage back to the Mayans. So traditional dress, ceremony, and even Mayan languages are still in evidence throughout the country.
If this is something you really want to experience, visit Chichicastenango, or for a slightly more touristic version, try San Juan La Laguna on Lake Atitlan.
8. The Spanish accent here is wonderful
A lot of Americans come to Guatemala to study Spanish. The reason for this is that the accent here is considered one of the easiest for Americans to understand. Guatemalans tend to speak slowly and articulately, using less slang than other cultures. Even with my very limited tourist Spanish, I was able to understand much more than I normally do.
Things to know about eating out
9. Hot sauce here is varied
In the States, when you ask for hot sauce with your meal, you’ll typically get Tabasco or Cholula, or another mass produced brand. Here in Guatemala, you’ll get something homemade at that particular establishment. And what you get can have a large range.
Some hot sauces are red; others are green. Some are silky smooth and others are chunky. Occasionally, it will just be spicy marinated onions and peppers in vinegar. All are good, and all are rather spicy. So be prepared, and enjoy!
10. Tip might be added
When dining out and eating inside a restaurant, it is normal for a 10% tip (called a servicio) to be added to your bill. When just having coffee or getting food to go, you’ll need to ask to add that servicio before paying, or add it in cash after. Once you give your credit card, there is no option to add a tip.
There is not the expectation of an additional tip beyond this 10%, although tipping guides and drivers is a cash-only proposition (except for Uber).
I hope these basic cultural factoids help you to plan a Guatemala trip that works for you, or not to if you find them deal-breakers!
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