Travel alerts & warnings
Guatemala driving guide.
Driving in Guatemala opens up colonial towns, volcanic highlands and Maya sites, but mountain roads, heavy traffic and unpredictable passing demand patience. Plan intercity trips for daylight and allow extra time for potholes, speed bumps, livestock and rainy-season landslides.
- Advisory
- Reconsider travel
- Drives on
- Right
- Best season
- November to April…
- Permit honored
- Yes
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Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travelto Guatemala due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have higher risks. Please read the full Travel Advisory.
- Some areas of Guatemala have higher levels of gang-related violence. Crimes include robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking, assaults, and murders. Local law enforcement often struggles to address serious crimes. This leads to low arrest and conviction rates.
- Tourists can become victims of opportunistic crimes such as scams and extortion.
- There is risk of terrorist attacks and other terrorist activities from cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations in San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City, and the city of Villa Nueva. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.
- Tourist Assistance Program
- Guatemala offers the Tourist Assistance Program (ASISTUR) to protect tourists.
- ASISTUR partners with tourist police (DISETUR) in popular areas like Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Quetzaltenango, Puerto Barrios, and Coban.
Driving there
Your permit in Guatemala
- Guatemala honors the International Driving Permit. The permit is a translation of your license into ten languages — it is not a license on its own.
- Carry your valid U.S. driver's license with the permit at all times. The permit is valid for one year and only while your U.S. license is valid.
- Rental companies and local police can be stricter than national law. Confirm the requirement with your rental company before you travel.
Advisory information is published by the U.S. Department of State and reproduced here for convenience. It can change at any time — always check the official advisory before you travel. USIDA does not issue travel advisories.
Before you drive
Top travel tips for Guatemala
Road rules and speed limits
Wear seat belts, avoid handheld phone use and obey posted speed limits, which vary by road and municipality. Slow well before villages and school zones: speed bumps, known as túmulos, may be poorly marked. Never assume a mountain highway is safe at its posted maximum.
Tolls and bypasses
Most roads are toll-free, but the VAS bypass network around Guatemala City charges tolls. Carry Guatemalan quetzales and check your route before entering, since charges and payment options depend on the section.
Fuel and remote routes
Fuel is commonly priced in quetzales per US gallon. Confirm whether your rental takes regular gasoline, premium gasoline or diesel before filling up. Refuel in major towns before remote stretches in Petén, Alta Verapaz or the western highlands.
Rental paperwork and vehicle choice
Carry your original valid driving licence, International Driving Permit, passport and rental agreement; the permit does not replace your licence. Confirm the rental company's age, insurance and credit-card requirements. Ask about unpaved-road restrictions, especially for Semuc Champey, where a local 4WD transfer is often preferable.
Police checks
Expect police checkpoints on major routes and near border areas. Slow down, follow officers' directions and have your driving documents and the rental vehicle's registration available. For an alleged violation, request a written citation and official payment instructions rather than offering roadside cash.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala
Sacatepéquez · About 1–2 hours from Guatemala City; substantially longer in peak traffic.
Colonial streets, ruined convents and volcano views; park in a secure lot and explore the historic centre on foot.
Lake Atitlán via Panajachel
Sololá · About 3–4.5 hours from Guatemala City to Panajachel.
Volcanic lake scenery and access to lakeside villages; leave your car in secure parking in Panajachel and use boats between villages.
Tikal National Park
Petén · About 1–1.5 hours from Flores to the park's visitor parking area.
Monumental Maya temples surrounded by rainforest, with opportunities to see monkeys and tropical birds.
Fuentes Georginas
Quetzaltenango · About 1 hour from Quetzaltenango, depending on road conditions.
Thermal pools in misty mountain forest above Zunil; the final approach is narrow, winding and best driven in daylight.
Semuc Champey
Alta Verapaz · Allow about 3–4 hours from Cobán, including the final approach; rain can add significant delays.
Turquoise limestone pools and a forest viewpoint; consider parking in Lanquín and arranging a local 4WD transfer for the rough final section.
Quiriguá Archaeological Park
Izabal · About 1.5–2 hours from Puerto Barrios, depending on truck traffic.
Exceptionally tall carved Maya stelae in a compact archaeological site near the Caribbean-bound highway.
Heading to Guatemala?
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