Guatemala is one of those countries that is severely underrated as a travel destination. We arrived here a few weeks ago and our experience here has been nothing short of mind blowing! After we got out of the fairly crazy Guatemala City we ended up in our AirBNB in Antigua. We spend our days walking down cobblestone streets surrounded by beautiful volcanoes, one of which is in an active eruption phase! There is incredible food, culture, nature, and a ton of other experiences worth trying out. My Spanish is improving a lot here too because Guatemalans have a very clear and easy to understand accent. Furthermore, Guatemala used to be the seat of power for the Mayan civilization. If you are into history and architecture you could spend a lifetime here checking out ancient ruins and immersing yourself in colorful Mayan culture.
A&Z visiting the ancient ruins of Tikal, the cradle of the Mayan Civilization
Guatemala does not have any embassy or consulate in India. As such, it would be difficult to get a visa for Guatemala in India. However, they operate a very beneficial visa exemption system based on other visas that you might have. If you have a valid USA, Canadian, or Schengen visa in your passport you can enter Guatemala for tourism with a 90 day stamp, no questions asked. The Indian Embassy in Guatemala provides the same information:
Indian travelers holding valid USA, Canada or Schengen Visa in their passports do not need to apply for Guatemalan Visa.
We flew in here from Puerto Rico on American Airlines. At check-in, the airline did ask us for a ticket out of Guatemala so it might bode well for you if you have a refundable ticket booked in advance. We had a return leg already booked to New York after a few weeks so I just mentioned that.
Once we arrived at the airport there was an arrival immigration form to fill. The immigration officer asked to see my US visa and then stamped my passport with a 90 day entry stamp. It was that simple. No other questions asked. The immigration form does ask for an address in Guatemala so you should have at least your first hotel stay or AirBNB booked in advance.
View of Agua Volcano and the city of Antigua
If you are an Indian with a valid USA, Canada or Schengen Visa, I would definitely recommend taking the time to visit Guatemala. It’s an extremely rewarding and beautiful country to visit. Furthermore, it’s definitely one of the most affordable Central American countries with some of the friendliest people we have ever met while traveling!
Enjoy guys, I went to Guatemala in December and loved it, do rent an airbnb at Lake atitlan and just do nothing…
Hey. Really enjoy reading your posts. Got much to know about Visa’s for Indians from your posts.
I have a question about stay in these countries. Would you prefer AIR BNB or HOSTELS during your stay esp in S-America? Do you feel any of this is less costly or much SAFE as compared to one another? I read your Mexico experience about AIR BNB..lol
That Mexico experience was really a one time thing. We became much more careful after that. AirBNB used to be a budget option but now hostels are definitely cheaper for most circumstances. Hostels are also perfectly safe as long as you are careful and use common sense precautions depending on the country you are in. AirBNB has served us well in the future after that so we continue to use it like in Antigua right now.
I am Indian passport and US green card, wondering I can just show up at the Guatemala City airport with it, would they give me a on arrival visa?
That Agua Volcano is the iconic image in my mind regarding Guatemala – I’d love to visit some time!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I love that you provide visa advice for a nationality other than Western nations!
Hey Ashray,
your writing is so appealing, you inspired me to visit guatemala. hope i will use your article when if i could go to this awesome place.
BTw I had used AirBNB when i have visited spain and i had good experience.
If Someone dont have US,Canda,,,,SCh Visa.what is the procedure for getting Guatemala visa from India…..
you should apply for Guatemalan VISA in Embassy of Guatemala , New delhi
Hi,
I have Valid USA C1 Visa. is that enough to enter the Guatemala for three weeks business Trip. I am asking this Because USA C1 is Transit Visa which allows me to transit and Stay (less than 29 days) in USA. it is not tourist/Business Visa.
kindly help with the information.
thanks,
Jeeva
i wan to go to guatemala
Hey,
I stumbled upon your blog while researching guatemala visa for Indians. Do you have any idea how long the USA visa must be valid for in order to enter Guatemala? My USA visa expires in 3 months and thats the reason I would like to know.
Thanks
Any idea about Panama tourist visa for Indians who has valid US or Canada tourist visa.I am not able to find much useful information over internet.
Yeah, Panama is visa free for 30 days if you hold a valid US or Canadian visa.
Hi, I need some Inputs.
I am from India with Indian Passport. I have travelled to Europe in 2016. Now my Schengen Visa is expired which I used to travel to Europe. Now I am in Colombia and i applied for a schengen visa here now I have a one year multi entry visa. The thing now is the consul in Colombia of Bogota is telling me that I cannot go Panama as I don’t have a Europe entry stamp on my passport with the new visa. Also I have checked with Costa Rica embassy here in Colombia they tell me I cannot enter Costa Rica with schengen Visa some new rules. Guatemala I have confirmed that I can arrive with schengen visa. I need some Inputs for panama . Do you think if I take a flight with schengen Visa they let me in ? Also tell me about Costa Rica. Thanks waiting to hear from you.
I don’t know about the authorities in Panama, but the airline information systems do say that the visa should’ve been used at least once. This means that they’ll check your passport for stamps related to the visa and if they’re not there, might deny boarding. Regarding Costa Rica, it does seem like a schengen visa does not qualify anymore. Again, the airline information system should be the first thing you should check because this will determine whether they let you board a flight or not. You can check this tool: https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/find-visa-requirements.aspx
Hi .I’m shan from Srilanka …friend need Guatemala Visa .can u arang …can tal me ?
Hi,
I am Indian Passport Holder from Mumbai, but don’t have USA / UK / Canada or Schengen Visa, can I get Guatemala / El-Salvador visa? What will be the process for the same in such a case like me?
Hi Shailesh,
Incase of not having any US/UK/Schengen Visa, you should apply for Guatemalan VISA in India. we have Guatemalan Embassy in NewDelhi Vasath Vihar. you should secure an appointment and appear for the interview for the VISA. they dont accept any agents and hence you need to appear in person to the Embassy, even for south indians. you can apply for Business/Tourist visa depends on your need.
http://www.india.minex.gob.gt
Regards,
Jeeva
What if I have Indian Passport and US Green Card, can I still get into Guatemala?
Any update on your question, as I am in the same situation. I am Indian passport and US green card, wondering I can just show up at the Guatemala City airport with it, would they give me a on arrival visa?
Hi,
For the Indian Passport they will give a VISA On Arrival if you have a valid USA Visa in your passport (except C1). on the other hand if you have USA Passport then still it is free on-arrival Visa, but if you have Indian Passport with Green Card,then you need to get VISA exemption stamped from Guatemalan Consulate. find the Extract below,
“Legal permanent residents of the United States who don’t have U.S. citizenship — “green card” holders — are eligible for a note of visa exemption, which is affixed to their passport free of charge by the Guatemalan consulate.”
https://traveltips.usatoday.com/visa-guatemala-32847.html
Cheers,
Jeeva
Hi, I have a come across an opportunity for teachers at Guatemala. Is it possible to get a permanent visa for Indians from there? Are there any other requirements regarding the same
Hi Dhaneesh,
if you are going for a work, then you need to get employer sponsored work permit, which makes you eligible to apply for a temporary residence. First you need to enter the Guatemala with a Business VISA which you can get from the Embassy of Guatemala in New delhi. then once you joined in the job, your employer will arrange a lawyer for your work permit and temporary residence proceedings. in my case , work permit took 4 months and temporary residence took 10 months. if your visa expires in between , you can renew while you are in the country.
Some important Docs from here (in India) police Clearance Certificate and Apostille from MEA in all your supporting Documents.
Thank you so much for your reply!
If someone holding Indian passport and want to visit Guatemala as Tourist for 5 days.Did he need visa in Advance or Arrival visa. If need visa then tell me the Address of Guatemala Embassy in New Delhi.
Thanks
Hi Sharma,
if you want to visit Guatemala using Indian Passport , yes you need to get a VISA from Guatemalan Embassy in Vansanth Vihar. you will be exempted to get a Guatemalan Visa if you have USA / Schengen /Canadian Visa (Except Transit Visa).
But i dont know the current status because of pandemic lock down, as of today Jan 31,2021 i heard the Guatemala Airport is open. check for Covid-19 entry requirements.
Guatemala is a nice place to visit and you will enjoy for sure.
Cheers,
Jeevanand.K
Thanks for the quick response