Weather

Most visitors find the temperate winter months to be the most pleasant time to visit Izabal and northern Guatemala.  From October to February temperatures can dip as low as 50 degrees (Fahrenheit), but generally hover well above that. The region can receive as much as 80 inches of rain a year, most of it falling during the wet months of June through October.  Weather in Guatemala fluctuates widely depending on geography—the central highlands remain much cooler and drier year round than both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.         

Water

The water in Guatemala is not safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available and is potable.  If you must drink water from the tap, be sure to boil it thoroughly for at least three minutes, more at higher altitudes. Water filters may catch bacterial pollutants, but will not trap viruses. 

Important Phone Numbers

Guatemala Country Code:  502

Ambulance:  125, 128

Fire:  122, 123

Police: 110, 120

ASISTUR (24 hour tourist information and assistance): 1500

US Embassy:  011-(502) 2326-4405

            After hours emergency:  011-(502) 2331-2354

Internet

Inexpensive internet access is available in the towns and cities of Izabal.  Travelers will find internet cafes in Lívingston, Puerto Barrios, El Estor and Río Dulce. A handful of hotels will offer free internet, but generally expect to pay $1-3 per hour.

Banking and ATM

Banks in the towns around Izabal offer reliable Visa and MasterCard ATMs.  Río Dulce’s Banco Agromercantil will offer cash advances on credit cards if you run into a problem.  Most banks are open 9-5 Monday-Friday.

The national currency, the Quetzal (abbreviated Q), exchanges at around 7-8Q to the dollar. 

Language

Spanish of course is the predominant language across Izabal; if you don’t speak Spanish, it certainly does not hurt to carry a dictionary that includes common phrases.  Some students take English classes in primary school, and hotel, restaurant, and shop owners in the larger towns may speak some degree of English, but don’t expect to hear it in rural areas. 

A number of indigenous languages are spoken across Guatemala. Lívingston in particular is home to a significant Garífuna population whose language is a distinct melange of Arawak, French, and West African languages.  Q’eqchi’ Mayan can also be heard up and down the Río Dulce.

Medical

Guatemala City has world-class medical facilities, but clinics in Izabal are simplistic, to say the least.  It is strongly recommended that travelers verify that their insurance plan covers them in Guatemala, and to purchase supplemental or travelers’ insurance if it does not.  Travelers’ insurance is inexpensive, and medical treatment in Guatemala can be as expensive as treatment in the US.  When purchasing insurance, make sure that your plan covers medical evacuation in the event of an emergency or serious illness—an emergency flight to the US may cost as much as $50,000 without insurance.

Travelers will find well-stocked pharmacies with knowledgeable staff in Izabal, but travelers should carry basic medication with them justin case.  If travelers take a prescription medicine, they should be sure to carry enough to get by if the local pharmacy cannot refill their dosage.  Travelers with prescription medication should also carry a doctor’s note explaining the medicine to avoid problems with police or border officials.

Vaccinations

Malaria is present in every country in Central America, includingGuatemala.  Travelers in the department of Izabal run a moderate riskof contracting the disease, but the risk is considered severe inneighboring departments. It is strongly recommended that travelers inGuatemala take malaria pills before arriving in country. Note that there are several different malaria treatments, and some medications require patients to begin treatment well before they arrive in the malarial region.  The best method of avoiding malaria is to avoid exposure to the mosquitoes that transmit the disease:  wear long clothing, apply bug repellent containing DEET, and take advantage of mosquito nets when sleeping as the insects are most active at night.

Travelers should also get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and typhoid, and travelers who will be in the country for several months would do well to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B.

Dangers

Many coastal cities of Guatemala, including Lívingston, are stopping points in the northbound drug trade.  Incidents of violence against tourists are very rare, but visitors should avoid all illegal drugs as both drug dealers and police could generate serious inconvenience for travelers. 

A more common nuisance is the hustlers and con men that try to take advantage of visitors in any tourist area.  Do not pay in advance for tours or activities, and be wary of anyone who tries to sell a service on the street. 

Visa

Tourists with valid passports from North America or the European Union can travel freely in Guatemala for up to 180 days without avisa. For country-specific visa information, visit http://www.minex.gob.gt/.