CRIBS
The cribs at the hotels receive a lot of use. Please check all screws and parts to make sure they are in working order and secure.
BOTTLES FOR BABIES - most rooms have a coffee maker you can use to heat bottles with by putting the bottle in the hot water. The Marriott, Westin, and a few other hotels have bottle sterilizers in their adoption lounges
CALLING GUATEMALA FROM THE US - to call Guatemala you need to dial 011502 and then the 8 digit phone number. Make sure you have a long distance plan that has a decent rate or Costco and Sams Club have MCI CARDs that have a decent rate of approximately .25 per minute
CALLING HOME FROM GUATEMALA - You can either use a cell phone or a calling card. Most hotels and small stores (tiendas) sell calling cards you can use at the pay phones. Most of the large hotels have TELGUA pay phones in the lobby. The card you want to buy are LADATEL brand. They have a smart chip and some sort of picturesque scene on them or a sports theme. To dial the US from Guatemala , you dial 001 + area +number. ** if you call from your hotel room expect to pay more than $1.00 per minute **
(LADATEL prepaid phone card example)
CAR SEATS - if you need transportation and or a car seat please contact us before or during your trip.
CELL PHONE RENTALS - Most hotels rent cell phones with prepaid minutes. Incoming calls are free. Outgoing calls required prepaid cards that are available for sale from local hotels or outlets.
DEPARTURE TAXES - all of our tickets include the $30 departure tax. The only thing you will pay when departing Guatemala is a $3 per person security tax( 20 Quetzales).
FOOD - Do not eat fruits and vegetables that cannot be easily washed such as strawberries.
Raw broccoli - NO/ Cooked broccoli -YES/ Steamed broccoli..borderline.
Wash your hands frequently.
Do not eat the lettuce. Not even from American fast food restaurants.
Do not eat pork meat. It can carry a nasty worm.
LAP TICKETS - lap tickets are required for all travelers under the age of 24 months. At the age of 24 months the traveler is required to purchase a seat. These may be purchased before hand through Velocity (paper ticket and FedEx fees apply) or you can purchase the ticket at check in when you return from Guatemala. When purchasing your tickets through Velocity, we document your reservation showing that you are traveling with a lap child.
There are no limits on lap tickets other than one lap baby per adult.
MONEY
All the hotels, major restaurants, and shopping areas take credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Your credit card company may charge you an international currency exchange fee (usually minimal). You will need cash for taxis, tips, and small purchases. You can use US dollars or exchange money at your hotels front desk. CLICK HERE for the current exchange rate.
The best exchange rate is when you use a credit card or ATM card to get cash. Most ATM cards will work at any bank in Guatemala to retrieve cash from your home account. Cash is given in local currency and converted at the best rate. (don't rely on these because not all cards work).
POOLS
Only the, CROWNE PLAZA , MARRIOTT, INTERCONTINENTAL, GRAND TIKAL , and WESTIN have pools that are worth swimming in.
SECURITY TAX - see Departure Taxes
SHUTTLE - most hotels have a shuttle. Feel free to wait inside the airport lobby until you see the shuttle outside. In the lobby some hotels have service desks and or courtesy phones to call for the shuttle. When we book your hotel we schedule the shuttle for you.
TOURS - Antigua, Chichicastenango, Tikal , Lake Atitlan , Quetzaltenango, ruins, volcanoes, coffee plantation , craft mark et, and more.
Contact Velocity Tours before you depart or while in Guatemala for more info.
USING A CAR SEAT ON BOARD THE PLANE -not required but is optional. For more info see this web page American Airlines
WATER - DO NOT DRINK TAP WATER!
Only drink bottled water that is sealed. Try to avoid ice. Some hotels claim to have filtered water. Be safe and just drink the bottle water. It is not worth the risk and how sick you can become.
MORE TRAVEL INFO FOR THE TOURIST GOING TO GUATEMALA
Climate Range & Altitude
Guatemala is known as, "The land of eternal spring". Temperatures are mild and vary little during the year. Average Temps are High of 77F and Low of 55F. October to May is the dry season. Rainy season is May to October but this doesn't affect all areas and more often means sunny mornings with rain beginning around 4pm.
Population
The last official census was taken in 1995. The population then was 10.7 Million. Guatemalans are a mix of indigenous, mestizo (mixed Spanish and indigenous decent) and Garifunas from the Caribbean coastline. There is also a population of US, Canadian and European residents.
Time Zone
Guatemala is in the Central Standard Time Zone and does not observe daylight-savings time.
Passport/Visa
A valid passport is required for stay of up to three months for most nationalities. Please check to make sure your passport is current and make a photocopy that you can carry with you at all times. Currently travelers from Britain and the States do not need a visa. Please check before traveling as conditions can change unexpectedly.
Insurance
It is highly recommended that travelers take out travel insurance to cover cancellation of your trip, medical expenses, repatriation and loss of belongings. Make sure you read your policy carefully to ensure that you are covered for all instances and up to a value you feel appropriate.
Immunizations
Visitors to Guatemala are typically advised to make sure they are up to date with their TYPHOID, HEPATITIS A, TETANUS & POLIO vaccines. Malaria is a risk in areas below 1,500m and we suggest you take your Doctor's advice, based on your travel itinerary, on whether or not you need to take anti-malaria medication.
For more information consult Centre for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm
Language
Spanish is the official language although there are 23 local indigenous languages still spoken. English is widely spoken in the main tourist areas.
Clothing
While in Guatemala City and the highland areas wear spring clothing and a sweater at night. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. At archaeological sites, beaches and rainforest areas light colored, lightweight, all cotton clothing, sunglasses and a hat are recommended.
Currency & Finances
The local currency is the Quetzal, named after the national bird. Dollars are accepted and changed in all banks. Most major credit cards are accepted by hotels and some shops although a surcharge of up to 7% can often be added. Traveler's checks can be exchanged at most banks and are accepted in the larger establishments - the best type to bring are AMERICAN EXPRESS or VISA and always in American Dollars . You need your actual Passport with you to cash traveler's checks and to take money out from the bank on Visa. Many cash machines in Antigua, the Capital and Flores can give you cash on a VISA, MASTERCARD, PLUS, CIRRUS cards. Using an ATM card is the best way to get the best exchange rate. Just have your caculator handy and know the exchange rate because the withdrawl will be in Quetzales. This is converted at the current exchange rate and then deducted in dollards from your account back home. Usually you only pay the $1.50 fee for the ATM and any fees your home bank charges.
We recommend travelers to bring dollars in cash and a credit or bank card that can be used to withdraw extra money in an emergency. Visa is more widely accepted than MasterCard.
SPENDING MONEY
How much money to bring of course depends on how much you like to shop! To give an idea of general prices though: Breakfast $3, Lunch $5-$8, Dinner $8-$15, Expensive Dinner $25, Beer $1.5 - $3, Wine $2.5 - $4 per glass. Bottle Wine $15 & upwards.
Electricity
110 Volt AC is found throughout most of the country.
Tipping
• Restaurants & bars : a 10% tip is customary wherever a service charge is not included in the bill. For exceptional service an additional 5% may be added even when service is included.
• Hotels : tips are generally only expected at the more upscale hotels. $1 per day for the cleaning staff, $0.50 - $1 per bag for porters, 10% for room service if the service charge has not already been added.
• Taxi Drivers generally do not expect a tip unless they carry your bags for you, wherein $1 per person should be sufficient
• Private Drivers can get $5-$10 per person per day - depending upon service, the length of the journey and the number of passengers. A long journey with only one or two passengers would warrant the higher tip.
• Tourist Shuttle Bus Drivers (collective, not private) might get $2 per person
• Tour Guides : $8-15 per person for a day of guiding, depending upon length of tour, type of guiding, etc. For longer trips $50-$100 per person per week.
• Driver/Guides (Guides who also do the driving) $10-$15 per person per day
• Foreign Guides / Specialist guides might earn a larger tip than the average tour guide (for a special service performed, or if it generally feels appropriate)
These are mere guidelines to help guests determine what is appropriate to tip. Tipping is not required by any means, especially in case of mediocre or poor service, dangerous driving, unfriendliness, low enthusiasm in tour leading, etc.
We have put together this small tipping reference in response to many requests from travelers worried about not sufficiently tipping or tipping too generously. As a point of reference, tipping as a culture in Guatemala is not huge, though tipping is highly appreciated in all cases and somewhat expected from foreigners in some cases. Our general advice to travelers is to tip what you feel is appropriate - using the guidelines above - and do not worry about offending by tipping. Our feeling is that a service professional is never going to complain about too large a tip, and if they are ever unhappy about a tip received (in the case that his perception is that the tip is too small) and visibly shows this feeling to the client making them feel uncomfortable, then he didn't really deserve the tip anyway. Tipping is never mandatory!
Traveling in Guatemala with Children
Guatemalans love children and if you are traveling with children you will probably attract special attention which can often be of great help. Food can be a problem when leaving the more touristy areas of Antigua and the Capital. It is wise to always have a stock of bread, biscuits & other snacks when traveling in case the food at stops is not to your child's taste. Easily peeling produce like avocados and bananas are easily available and provide a nutritious and filling snack.
Things to be careful about.
Women should think twice before wearing clothes that are too provocative. Guatemala is a very Catholic, rather conservative and still very macho country. You run the risk of offending or attracting un-wanted attention. Men should never go shirtless as this is rarely seen in Guatemala . We also suggest that you do not wear any expensive jewelry while traveling in Guatemala and certainly do not bring anything of sentimental value in case of loss or theft. Most people here earn around $150 a month and therefore it is advisable not to openly display wealth. It is important to take basic precautions to ward away the possibility of theft such as keeping day packs, cameras, money belts etc in front of you as you walk.
Pack in case your luggage gets lost!
We strongly advise that you put some essentials in your carry-on luggage, just in case your main luggage should get lost for a few days. Essential medicines, underwear, toiletries and a change of clothing .
PACKING LIST IDEAS for Tourists
CLOTHES
• Shorts - not too short as Guatemala is rather conservative
• Good walking shoes & comfortable walking trousers
• Warm tops for the cooler evenings in the highlands
• Cool long trousers & long sleeved tops for the rainforest
• Small Umbrella and / or Waterproof Jacket or Poncho for the rainforest & rainy season (May - October)
• Bathing suit
• Comfortable clothes for hanging out in the evenings
• Something nice for an evening out in Antigua
ESSENTIALS
• Photo copy of your passport & insurance policy or better scan your passport and email it to yourself. This way you have access to it no matter where you are(if there is internet). Make sure you use an email account that is accesible from any computer(Yahoo, Hotmail,ect).
• Earplugs (Dogs, Monkeys, Buses, firecrackers, noisy neighbors, etc - a pair of good earplugs can be invaluable!)
• Sun glasses
• Flashlight / Torch
• Books to read
• Watch / Alarm Clock
• Names & Addresses Book
• Day Pack for day and overnight trips
• Plastic Bags - good for keeping valuables dry in the rainy season (May - October)
• Camera & Film (Film is widely available but may be more expensive than at home)
• Toiletries & wet wipes
• Binoculars if you are interested in the local wildlife - especially birds
• Small umbrella if you are visiting in the rainy season (May - October)
• Small sewing kit
MEDICAL KIT
• If you have a favorite Doctor, take their phone number in case you get sick and want a trusted expert to talk to?
• Suntan cream
• Insect Repellant & antihistamine
• Anti-malarial tablets - if advised to take them
• Dusting powder for your feet
• Re-hydration salts and anti-diarrhea preparations
• Pepto-Bismol for stomach upsets
• Painkillers
• Antiseptic cream, band-aids, sterile wipes
