Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Post
The Guatemalan postal service was privatized in 1999. Generally, letters and parcels take eight to 10 days to travel to
the US and Canada and 10 to 12 days to reach Europe. Almost all cities and towns (but not villages) have a post office
where you can buy stamps and send mail. If you want to get a package couriered to you, make sure the courier company
has an office in the town where you are staying; otherwise you will be charged some hefty 'handling fees'.
Public Holidays
The main Guatemalan holiday periods are Semana Santa, Christmas-New Year and July and August. During Semana
Santa room prices rise in many places and it's advisable to book all accommodations and transport in advance.
Guatemalan public holidays include the following:
New Year's Day
(Año Nuevo) January 1
Easter
(Semana Santa; Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday inclusive) March/April
Labor Day
(Día del Trabajo) May 1
Army Day
(Día del Ejército) June 30
Assumption Day
(Día de la Asunción) August 15
Independence Day
(Día de la Independencia) September 15
Revolution Day
(Día de la Revolución) October 20
All Saints' Day
(Día de Todos los Santos) November 1
Christmas Eve afternoon
(Víspera Navidad) December 24
Christmas Day
(Navidad) December 25
New Year's Eve afternoon
(Víspera de Año Nuevo) December 31
GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ADVICE
The following government websites offer travel advisories and information on current hot spots. Please bear in
mind that these sites are updated occasionally and are obliged to err on the safe side - many, many travelers visit
Guatemala and don't experience any of these problems.
»
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
(
www.smarttraveller.gov.au
)
»
British Foreign Office
(
www.fco.gov.uk
)
»
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs
(
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
)
»
US State Department
(
http://travel.state.gov
/)
