Guatemala

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Guatemala 🇬🇹

Guatemala is a country of vibrant culture and breathtaking scenery, from the colonial charm of Antigua to the bustling streets of Guatemala City and the serene shores of Lake Atitlán. Whether you’re exploring ancient Maya ruins in Tikal or hiking volcanoes in Quetzaltenango, there’s plenty to discover.

While Guatemala’s beauty is undeniable, it’s essential to stay aware of health risks, including mosquito-borne diseases and potential altitude sickness. Taking precautions like staying up to date on vaccinations and booking a comprehensive Virtual Travel Clinic consultation can help ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.

Travel Immunizations for Guatemala

What vaccines do I need for Guatemala? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Yellow fever

Vaccination is not recommended or required.
Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when traveling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash, fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat, red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Rabies

Rabies is a devastating viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by salmonella from improperly prepared food or contaminated water.

Typhoid vaccine is available in both injectable and oral forms and provides protection against typhoid fever.
Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Guatemala Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler’s diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (e.g. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.
Azithromycin, the first-line antibiotic against travelers diarrhea, is available by prescription for self-treatment if symptoms develop. This can be obtained in your Travel Medicine consultation.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications.
Use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves, long pants, and consider staying in accommodations with screens or bed nets.

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use insect repellents to protect against infection.

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.
Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease): Caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The initial infection may start with no symptoms or as flu-like symptoms and eyelid swelling. The infection can then become inactive for decades, but people can eventually develop digestive and heart complications and in more severe cases; death. Risk is generally low for most travelers.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Guatemala

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine (e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Guatemala

Quality care is mainly found in private urban hospitals, while public and rural facilities often lack staff and supplies.
Immediate cash payment is typically expected for medical care, though some private hospitals may accept credit cards.
Medical evacuation can be extremely costly, so ensure your travel insurance includes coverage for emergency transport and hospital stays.

Consular Assistance Guatemala

Guatemala City - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: Edificio Edyma Plaza, 8th Floor, 13 Calle 8-44, Zona 10, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Telephone: (502) 2363-4348

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/guatemala/guatemala_city.aspx?lang=eng

Emergency Services

In case of emergency, dial:

110/120 for police
122/123 for medical assistance
122/123 for firefighters

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RN, BSN