Vaccinations
| Special Precautions | |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Malaria | Sometimes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | No* |
|
Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes' appears in the table above, precautions may be
required, depending on the season and region visited.
|
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from countries with infected areas.
Food and Drink
Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water is recommended. Milk may be unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Vaccinations are sometimes advised for tuberculosis and hepatitis B. Dengue fever is endemic in Guatemala. Affected areas include Escuintla, the Pacific coast towns, Zacapa and Petén. Rabies occurs; if you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Health Care
There are both public and private medical facilities in Guatemala City, but state-run hospitals tend to be under-funded and can be unhygienic. Private clinics should be used where possible. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is strongly advised. Travellers should carry evidence of their insurance at all times, as doctors may be reluctant to treat them otherwise.