Exit Via Land from Guatemala
The Guatemalan government is currently allowing foreign travelers to exit via land border crossing into Mexico, and Mexico is currently allowing them to enter. Some private tour operators are operating buses to these border crossings. Some foreign embassies have also arranged bus transport for their citizens to the Mexican border. Many travelers have also taken private taxis or other methods of transport to the Mexican border.
The U.S. Embassy does not recommend this option as it is not guaranteed that traveling by land out of Guatemala will result in successful return to the United States, or that it is safe to do so. For the past year embassy personnel have not been allowed to conduct personal travel in Huehuetenango or San Marcos (where the Tecun Uman border crossing is located) due to security concerns. Additionally, given the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, border passage and flight availability in Mexico could change at any time. All travelers considering exiting Guatemala by land should research travel and security advisories (available at www.travel.state.gov) for all portions of their planned route, as well as the CDC’s COVID-19 country health guides (available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html).
We are aware that Guatemala’s airport closure has made it difficult for U.S. citizens wishing to return to the United States, and we are working to find ways to help all American Citizens in Guatemala seeking to return home. U.S. citizens in Guatemala should do the following to receive the latest updates from the Embassy, including on potential travel options to leave Guatemala:
- Monitor the Embassy’s website (https://gt.usembassy.gov/) and Twitter account (@usembassyguate) for the most up-to-date information
- Enroll at state.gov to receive the latest updates from the Embassy
- Follow the advice of the CDC and local health authorities that you can find at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
- Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Monitor the Department of State’s COVID-19 website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html