Guatemala Health Care and Vaccinations
| Title | Special precautions |
|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | No * |
| Typhoid | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Malaria | Sometimes ** |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged one year or over arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. This also applies to travellers who have spent more than 12 hours in transit through an airport in an affected country. Yellow fever vaccination is not otherwise recommended for Guatemala.
** Malaria occurs mainly in parts of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Escuintla, Izabal and Petén. There is no malaria transmission in Guatemala City, Antigua or around Lake Atitlán. Travellers visiting an affected area should seek medical advice about antimalarial medication.
Health Care
Private hospitals and clinics in Guatemala City generally provide an adequate standard of care. Medical facilities are more limited in smaller towns and rural areas, where specialist treatment and emergency equipment may not be available.
Medical treatment often has to be paid for when it is provided. Travellers should have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment, hospitalisation and emergency evacuation. Those planning volcano climbs, trekking or other outdoor activities should ensure that their insurance covers these activities and any necessary rescue.
Pharmacies are widely available in towns and cities, although particular medicines may be difficult to obtain outside Guatemala City. Travellers taking regular medication should bring an adequate supply in its original packaging, together with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter.
For an ambulance, call 122 or 123. Emergency response and ambulance standards vary, particularly outside Guatemala City.
Food and Drink
Tap water is not safe to drink. Use bottled, boiled or properly filtered water, and check that bottled water is sealed. Safe water should also be used for brushing teeth and making ice.
Food served freshly cooked and piping hot is usually safe. Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and shellfish, as well as food that has been left standing at room temperature. Salads and raw vegetables may have been washed in untreated water.
Fruit should be washed with safe water or peeled before eating. Commercially packaged milk is usually pasteurised, but unpasteurised milk and dairy products of uncertain origin should be avoided. When buying food from street stalls, choose busy vendors that prepare and cook food in front of customers.
Other Risks
Dengue, chikungunya and Zika are transmitted by mosquitoes in Guatemala. Travellers should use insect repellent, wear clothing that covers the skin and choose accommodation with screens or air conditioning where possible. Mosquito precautions are important during both the day and night.
Rabies occurs in Guatemala and may be carried by dogs and bats. Avoid contact with animals and seek urgent medical attention after any bite or scratch. Rabies treatment may be difficult to obtain outside larger urban areas.
Altitude sickness may affect travellers visiting highland areas or climbing volcanoes, particularly at elevations above 2,500m (8,200ft). Ascend gradually where possible, avoid strenuous activity after a rapid ascent and descend if symptoms become severe or continue to worsen.
Leptospirosis can be contracted through fresh water or mud contaminated by infected animals. Avoid swimming or wading in untreated fresh water and avoid contact with floodwater, particularly if you have cuts or broken skin.
Strong sunlight and high ultraviolet levels can cause sunburn, including in cooler highland areas. Use high-factor sunscreen, wear a hat and protective clothing, and drink sufficient water.
