By Cicely A. Richard
Guatemala, a developing country in Central American country that borders
Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, is a Spanish-speaking country that has a population of approximately one million people. Much of the population has mixed ancestry that includes Spanish, African, Native American and even Asian and Arab. Most of the population living in Guatemala is impoverished, and the country has had political unrest over the years. However, despite these troublesome times, Guatemala proves to be a jewel in
Central America because of the tourist attractions that represent influences of various cultures. Before people think of visiting this area of the world, they must adhere to passport requirements for Guatemala.
Passport
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs states that all U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Guatemala. This passport requirement for Guatemala applies to citizens of any age. Even if a person holds dual citizenship, they will be able to go to Guatemala without a passport; however, they will be denied access to a plane back to the United States without a valid U.S. passport.
Visas
For stays of 90 days or less, U.S. citizens do need a visa to meet passport requirements of Guatemala. If they must stay in Guatemala longer than 90 days, U.S. citizens need to complete an application with Guatemala immigration to get permission to stay longer. The immigration office will review the application and grant the stay of the amount of days originally scheduled by travelers.
Touring Country
People planning to tour various locations in Guatemala are advised to carry their passports or copies of their valid passports no matter where they go. This is an important passport requirement for Guatemala or any region of the world in case identification is either lost or stolen. To replace lost or stolen passports, U.S. citizens must visit the U.S. Embassy at Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zone 10 or call the embassy at PBX (502) 2326-4000, and they will instruct travelers of the necessary steps needed to replace valid travel documents.
Exit Tax
In addition to the passport required for entry into Guatemala, people must pay an exit tax in order to leave the country. This fee of approximately $30 is usually included in the ticket price, but people should inquire about this charge in case they will have to pay it separately. At the airport, travelers pay an additional service fee of about $2.50.
Central American-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement
The Central American-4 Border Control Agreement simplifies passport requirements for Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. In 2006, these four countries signed an agreement that states U.S. citizens and eligible foreign nationals can freely travel among the four countries without completing separate entry and exit documents at each border. Basically, if people have passports for one country, they save money by not having to obtain separate visas. However, if they decide to stay beyond 90 days, travelers must adhere to extension requirements outlined by each country.
Resources
About the Author:
Based in Tucson, Ariz., Cicely A. Richard has been writing since 1996. Her articles have been published in the “Arizona Daily Star” newspaper and “ForeWord Magazine.” Richard earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and journalism from Louisiana State University.
