Location: Guatemala
Event: The United States Embassy in Guatemala wishes to inform all U.S. citizens that in addition to its ongoing flights to the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH), United Airlines has opened additional June U.S.-bound flights with destinations of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). The current June schedule for Guatemala-U.S. flights is as follows:
Guatemala-Houston (IAH) – Flights depart daily at 12:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, on the following dates:
Monday, June 8 to Thursday, June 11
Monday, June 15 to Thursday, June 18
Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June-25
Monday, June 29 to Tuesday, June 30.
Guatemala-Los Angeles (LAX) – Flights depart at 2:00 p.m. on the following dates:
Monday, June 15
Thursday, June 18
Monday, June 22
Thursday, June 25
Monday, June 29
Guatemala-Washington Dulles (IAD)- Flights depart at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
Tuesday, June 16
Monday, June 22
Tuesday, June 30
Passengers seeking tickets or information for these flights and passengers seeking assistance with inquiries related to cancelled flights, should reach out to the airline directly at https://www.united.com or VentasGUA@united.com. The Embassy will continue to work with the airline to provide letters requesting permission for inter-departmental travel to the airport. Passengers will receive these waivers from the airline upon ticket purchase.
The Embassy also reminds U.S. citizens that due the due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following Guatemalan government-enforced restrictions are in place:
Curfew Hours: Guatemala’s mandatory curfew runs from 6:00 p.m. each evening through 5:00 a.m. the following day. Every individual in Guatemala — including U.S. citizens — is required to remain inside their domicile during curfew hours (with exceptions for health and security, restaurant delivery services, certain media and legal personnel in pursuit of their duties, and patients receiving urgent treatment for chronic conditions).
Operating Hours for Essential Businesses: Supermarkets, grocers, and other markets are permitted to operate on Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Banks and financial institutions are permitted to operate on Monday through Friday, from 5:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Agricultural and ranching activities, transportation of humanitarian aid, and hotel hospitality services are permitted during these hours as well. Restaurants are permitted to provide food for takeout each day from 6:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Food delivery hours are not restricted. Other commercial activities are permitted from 6:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., provided the business ensures appropriate sanitary and social distancing measures are in place.
State of Siege in Three Solola Municipalities: Guatemalan President Giammattei declared on Saturday, May 30, a state of siege to be in place in the municipalities of Nahualá, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán and Santa Lucía Utatlán. The President stated that these three municipalities had “undertaken a series of actions which affected the order, governability, and security of their inhabitants.”
Inter-Departmental Travel: all travel between departments in Guatemala is prohibited. The Embassy is not able to assist in procuring waivers to this prohibition on an individual basis.
Mandatory Use of Masks in Public: all individuals must wear masks in public spaces, including in grocery stores and on the street, to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in fines of up to 150,000 Quetzales.
Closing of Borders: the Guatemalan government is currently barring entry to most non-Guatemalans (with specific exceptions for accredited diplomatic personnel, health and security personnel, and exceptional cases as designated by the Guatemalan government) – by its land, sea, and air borders. Airport operations and routine commercial flights out of Guatemala have been suspended. The U.S. Embassy continues to work with Guatemalan authorities to allow passengers manifested on outgoing commercial flights to travel to the airport in Guatemala City. These passengers will receive letters requesting safe passage from their commercial carrier.
Suspension of Public Transportation: public transportation within Guatemala is suspended.
Suspension of Public and Private Sector Labor Activities: public and private sector labor is suspended, with the exceptions for certain essential government and health personnel, and for specific industries and utilities whose activities are essential to Guatemala’s security, food production, sanitation or infrastructure.
Prohibitions on Alcohol: the sale and purchase of alcohol is permitted only during limited hours. Consumption of alcohol in public areas is prohibited.
Other Restricted Activities: All beaches, lakes, rivers and other tourist sites in Guatemala remain closed. Public religious gatherings and celebrations of any size are prohibited. Visits to individuals in hospitals or prisons are prohibited. Academic activities at all levels are suspended until further notice.
Additional Department and Municipality-Level Restrictions: Beyond the national-level restrictions mentioned above, different municipalities within the country may adopt additional restrictive measures on travel and outdoor activities. Please monitor local news reports to receive the latest information.
Guidance for American Citizens
The United States Embassy in Guatemala urges all U.S. citizens to comply with the restrictions imposed by the complete closure of the country, as well as all other restrictions and regulations outlined above.
As a reminder for U.S. citizens registered in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), your registration expires automatically based on the dates entered and you will not receive updates after that date. Update your account to show that you are still in Guatemala. Follow these instructions to keep receiving messages from the STEP Program. From within your account settings, update to INDEFINITE to ensure that you continue receiving messages. If you have any trouble, please email CASTEP@state.gov.
Please contact AmcitsGuatemala@state.gov for any urgent inquiries.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City https://gt.usembassy.gov/
Tel. (502) 2326-4000
Amcitsguatemala@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Guatemala Country Information and Travel Advisory Page
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates