Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Car & Motorcycle
The mountain of paperwork and liability involved with driving into Guatemala deters most travelers. You will need the
following documents, all clear and consistent, to enter Guatemala with a car:
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current and valid registration
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proof of ownership (if you don't own the car, you'll need a notarized letter of authorization from the owner that you
are allowed to take it)
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your current and valid driver's license or an International Driving Permit (IDP), issued by the automobile association
in your home country
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temporary import permit available free at the border and good for a maximum 90 days
Insurance from foreign countries is not recognized by Guatemala, forcing you to purchase a policy locally. Most border
posts and nearby towns have offices selling liability policies. To deter foreigners from selling cars in Guatemala, the au-
thorities make you exit the country with the vehicle you used to enter it. Do not be the designated driver when crossing
borders if you don't own the car, because you and it will not be allowed to leave Guatemala without each other.
Gasoline is readily available in all but the tiniest of villages. If you see a young kid waving a funnel at you, it means
he is selling cheap contraband Mexican gas - some people swear by it, others claim that its high sediment content ruins
engines.
Mechanics are also everywhere. Authorized agencies can only be found in the larger cities. Generic parts are easy to
come by, but if you're looking for originals, Toyota is by far the most popular make in the country, followed (distantly)
by Mazda and Ford.
River
There are two possible crossings from Mexico's Chiapas State to El Petén - the most commonly used one crosses at the
Mexican town of Frontera Corozal to either La Técnica or Bethel in Guatemala. Frontera Corozal has good transport
connections to Palenque in Mexico and there are regular buses from La Técnica and Bethel to Flores/Santa Elena,
Guatemala.
The other river route from Mexico into Guatemala's Petén department is up the Río de la Pasión from Benemérito de
las Américas, south of Frontera Corozal, to Sayaxché, but there are no immigration facilities or reliable passenger ser-
vices along this route.
Sea
Public boats connect Punta Gorda in Belize with Lívingston and Puerto Barrios in Guatemala. The Punta Gorda services
connect with bus services to/from Belize City.
There is a Q80 departure tax when leaving Guatemala by sea.
