Health, Safety, & Security
Health & Safety
There is a U.S. Department of State Guatemala Travel Advisory that describes the safety situation in different parts of the country.
HEALTH: Consult your physician about your health in light of your travel plans and review your vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides recommendations on vaccinations for travel to Guatemala at CDC Health Information for Travelers to Guatemala.
Be aware of your environment. The high altitude in Guatemala City (4,900’) may cause you to tire easily. In addition, the pollution in most large cities can be very bad. This tends to be especially true during the dry season (November to April). If you have a history of allergies, other respiratory illnesses, or heart problems, you could experience complications during your stay. If you use any type of medication for these problems, be sure to bring an adequate amount after consulting your doctor.
If you get sick, please let your trip leader or CGEE staff know right away. This will help to pinpoint problems with food and water. They can arrange a visit to a doctor or medical clinic if necessary.
Possible Ailments
COVID-19: Read CDC information on COVID-19 in Guatemala.
Traveler’s Diarrhea: Just the change in food, water, and climate can lead to an upset stomach. If you get diarrhea, treat it with Pepto-Bismol and drink lots of water. When you are ready to eat again, start with rice, bread, crackers, and broth (bring bouillon cubes or dry soup). Imodium (Loperamide is the generic equivalent) is a stronger medication to be used only when absolutely necessary. It does not cure diarrhea but slows down the digestive system, which can lead to other problems. Some herbal teas are thought to aid in the prevention and treatment of diarrhea such as ginger root, raspberry, comfrey, and peppermint. Feel free to bring some tea bags with you.
Hepatitis A: Studies have shown that many cases of travel-related Hepatitis A happen to travelers in developing countries with “standard” itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behavior.
Malaria: Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness that is present in Guatemala (primarily in rural areas), depending on the time of year and the area of the region. See Malaria in Guatemala, then scroll down.
Cholera: Cholera is active in Guatemala. There is no satisfactory vaccine against it. Avoiding contaminated food and water is the best way to prevent cholera. Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it!
Typhoid: Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated food and/or water, or directly between people. The CDC recommends a typhoid vaccination for those traveling to rural areas or staying in Guatemala more than six weeks.
Dengue Fever: This disease is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. It is prevalent throughout the region. Since there is no preventative medicine for dengue fever, take measures to avoid mosquito bites such as using repellent with DEET and keeping your arms and legs covered. The mosquitoes that carry dengue are active during the day as well as at night, so be sure to protect yourself at all times
Zika Virus: Please review updates on the Zika Virus in Guatemala.
