Guatemala
Travel Destination – Guatemala
Guatemala showcases an exceptional blend of culture and landscape, where ancient Mayan traditions sit alongside volcanic highlands and lively colonial cities. From Antigua’s iconic streets to the tropical rainforests of Petén and the Caribbean coast’s turquoise waters, the country delivers unforgettable experiences at every turn. Taking preventative health measures and appropriate safety preparation allows travellers to enjoy Guatemala with confidence, whether their journey centres on history, adventure, or rest.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
A pre-travel health consultation is an essential first step when planning travel to Guatemala. Booking an appointment with a travel doctor allows you to receive personalised medical advice tailored to your itinerary, activities, and medical history. This is particularly important if you plan to visit rural areas, trek in volcanic regions, or spend time in rainforest environments.
During your consultation, your doctor will review your vaccination record, recommend country-specific vaccines, and ensure you have prescriptions for any medications you may need while travelling. Appointments are ideally scheduled six to eight weeks before departure to allow time for multi-dose vaccines. However, even last-minute travellers can benefit from accelerated vaccination schedules and targeted travel health advice.
Insect avoidance
Mosquitos in Guatemala can transmit diseases including Malaria, Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. Other insects can carry Leishmaniasis, New World screwworm myiasis, and Chagas disease. While the likelihood of exposure is greater in lowland, coastal, and jungle areas, transmission can also occur in towns and cities.
Travellers can reduce their risk by choosing accommodation with air conditioning or well-screened windows and doors wherever possible. Applying an effective insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin is strongly recommended, particularly when spending time outdoors. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed footwear provides an added layer of protection, especially during peak biting times around dawn and dusk. Treating clothing and travel gear with permethrin can further reduce exposure, and insecticide-treated bed nets are advisable when sleeping areas are not adequately screened.
Food and water hygiene
Careful food and water practices can significantly reduce the risk of gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal infections in Guatemala. Travellers should wash their hands thoroughly before eating or use an alcohol-based hand gel, avoid raw or undercooked meat, seafood, and eggs, and consume street food only when it is freshly prepared and served hot. Selecting fruits that can be peeled, such as bananas and oranges, and drinking bottled, boiled, or properly filtered water while avoiding ice made from untreated water further reduces the risk of infection.
Rabies prevention
Unlike Australia, rabies is present in Guatemala and may be carried by dogs, bats, and other mammals. The most effective prevention strategy is avoiding contact with animals, including those that appear healthy.
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be recommended for travellers spending extended periods in Guatemala, visiting remote areas, or working with animals. If any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure occurs, immediate medical assessment is critical. Prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective and can prevent rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Guatemala?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is an infection that affects the liver and is spread primarily through the consumption of contaminated food or water. The disease occurs more frequently in Guatemala than in Australia, and many adults do not have full immunity. For travellers who have not received the complete two-dose vaccination course, immunisation before departure is strongly advised, especially when visiting rural areas, staying in local housing, or travelling beyond established resort settings.
Typhoid
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Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi, most commonly transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. The illness typically presents with sustained high fever, abdominal discomfort, headache, and profound fatigue, and may lead to significant complications if left untreated. Vaccination offers protection for up to three years and is particularly recommended for travellers undertaking extended stays, visiting rural or remote regions, or having increased exposure to local food and water sources.
Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause long term infection of the liver. It is spread through blood and bodily fluids, including via unprotected sex, unsterile medical procedures, tattooing, or shared personal items. Vaccination is recommended for travellers with increased risk, such as those staying for prolonged periods, working in healthcare, or engaging in activities that may involve exposure to blood or bodily fluids.
Yellow fever
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Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, muscle pain, and yellowing of the skin, with severe some cases leading to organ failure. Guatemala is not considered high risk for yellow fever and at the time of writing, vaccination was not usually recommended. However, vaccination may be required if you are entering Guatemala from a country with yellow fever transmission. Your travel doctor can advise on current entry requirements and whether vaccination is appropriate based on the most up to date information.
Routine vaccinations
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Although Australia benefits from a comprehensive routine immunisation program, infections such as measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus circulate more widely in Guatemala, increasing the potential for exposure among travellers. A pre-travel health consultation allows a clinician to review your immunisation history in detail, identify any gaps in protection, and advise on required or recommended booster doses. This may include updates to routine vaccines as well as consideration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.
Guatemala
Other health risks in Guatemala
Malaria
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Malaria remains present in many parts of Guatemala. It is caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Malaria typically presents with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, malaria can progress to severe illness and may be life threatening. During a pre-travel consultation, your doctor will assess your planned destinations, duration of travel, and activities to determine whether antimalarial medication is recommended. They will also provide detailed guidance on mosquito avoidance measures and early recognition of symptoms, as timely medical care is critical if illness develops.
Dengue
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Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness common in Guatemala, particularly in urban and lowland areas. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. Most people recover within one to two weeks, but serious forms of dengue can also occur which are more likely with repeat infections. Prevention relies on strict mosquito avoidance, vaccination is not usually required for travellers.
Rabies
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Unlike Australia, rabies is present in Guatemala and may be carried by dogs, bats, and other mammals. The most effective prevention strategy is avoiding contact with animals, including those that appear healthy.
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be recommended for travellers spending extended periods in Guatemala, visiting remote areas, or working with animals. If any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure occurs, immediate medical assessment is critical. Prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective and can prevent rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis, sometimes referred to as travellers’ diarrhoea, is one of the most common health issues affecting people visiting Guatemala. Infection typically results from the consumption of contaminated food or water contaminated with bacterial pathogens, which can lead to symptoms including frequent diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and, in some cases, fever.
Management primarily focuses on preventing dehydration through adequate fluid intake and the use of oral rehydration solutions to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. While many cases resolve without specific treatment, medical assessment is advised if symptoms are severe, prolonged, atypical, or in high risk populations.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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A high degree of caution is advised when travelling to Guatemala due to the threat of violent crime. For up-to-date safety information and general travel advice, travellers should review the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for Guatemala before departure.
Altitude sickness
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Parts of Guatemala, including Antigua and the surrounding highland regions, are situated at moderate altitude, which can affect travellers who ascend rapidly from lower elevations. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) occurs in a proportion of non-acclimatised travellers and commonly presents with symptoms such as headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, reduced appetite, and disturbed sleep. Symptoms may improve over 12 to 48 hours if no further ascent occurs. If symptoms worsen while resting, descent is recommended to avoid serious illness.
In some cases, altitude illness be serious and potentially life-threatening. High altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) affects the brain and may cause confusion, altered behaviour, severe headache, loss of coordination, or reduced consciousness. High altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) involves fluid accumulation in the lungs and can present with shortness of breath at rest, cough, chest tightness, and reduced exercise tolerance. While HACE and HAPE are more commonly associated with higher elevations, they can occur unpredictably. These conditions require urgent descent and medical treatment.
The risk of altitude illness can be reduced through gradual ascent, allowing rest days for acclimatisation, and maintaining adequate hydration. Preventive medications may be prescribed for some travellers, and treatment options are available if symptoms develop. A travel doctor can provide tailored advice based on your itinerary and risk factors, and may recommend carrying appropriate medications when travelling in highland or mountainous areas.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Long-distance air, road, and rail travel to Guatemala can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs, due to prolonged immobility. Risk is higher on journeys lasting several hours, particularly for individuals with additional risk factors such as recent surgery, pregnancy, or a history of clotting disorders.
Preventive strategies include maintaining good hydration, standing up or moving the legs at regular intervals, and performing simple leg exercises while seated. For travellers at increased risk, a doctor may recommend the use of below-knee compression stockings.
DVT is typically managed with blood-thinning medications, and prompt medical assessment is important if symptoms such as leg swelling, pain, or sudden shortness of breath occur.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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With careful preparation and informed health precautions, Guatemala offers a rewarding and culturally rich travel experience for visitors from around the world.
Road conditions in Guatemala can vary, and traffic accidents are a significant risk. Choose reputable transport providers, wear seatbelts where available, and use helmets when riding motorcycles. When hiking or exploring volcanic regions, use appropriate footwear, sun protection, and insect repellent, and stay within your physical limits.
Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended.