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- <text id=93CT1706>
- <title>
- Guatemala--Travel
- </title>
- <history>
- Compact ALMANAC--CIA Factbook
- Middle America
- Guatemala
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>CIA World Factbook</source>
- <hdr>
- Travel
- </hdr>
- <body>
- <p> Clothing: Spring- or summer-weight clothing is needed most of
- the year; woolens are practical November through February.
- </p>
- <p> Customs: Visas are easily obtainable at the Guatemalan
- Embassy in Washington, DC, and at consulates in seven US cities
- and are required for stays of more than 30 days. For shorter
- visits, purchase tourist cards ($1) at ticket counters of
- airlines serving Guatemala.
- </p>
- <p> Health: Good medical services are available in Guatemala
- City. Because of altitude, the capital is free of most tropical
- diseases. There is a risk, however, of malaria in rural areas
- except in the central highlands. Tapwater is not potable, and
- fruits and vegetables should be prepared carefully. Although not
- required for entry, immunizations against hepatitis, typhoid,
- polio, and tetanus are recommended for extended stays.
- </p>
- <p> Telecommunications: Local and long-distance telephone and
- telegraph services are available through GUATEL, the government
- communications facility. During daylight savings time in
- Washington, Guatemala is 2 hours behind eastern standard time
- (EST); otherwise Guatemala is 1 hour behind EST. Guatemala does
- not observe daylight savings time.
- </p>
- <p> Transportation: Guatemala City is a hub of Central American
- air traffic, and several airlines provide connections to points
- in North and South America. Should you drive, consult the
- Guatemalan consulate for current regulations. Paved roads
- connect Guatemala with Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras, and
- link the capital with most regions of the country except the
- far north. Buses of varying degrees of comfort provide internal
- transportation. Cars and aircraft may be leased.
- </p>
- <p>Holidays observed by the US Embassy in Guatemala (A-American,
- G-Guatemalan).
- </p>
- <p>New Year (A & G), January 1; Martin Luther King's Birthday (A),
- January 20*; Washington's Birthday (A), February 17*; Holy Thursday (G),
- March 27*; Holy Friday (G), March 28*; Holy Saturday (G), March 29*;
- Labor Day (G), May 1; Memorial Day (A), May 26*; Army Day (G), June 30;
- Independence Day (A), July 4; Feast of the Assumption (G) (only the city),
- August 15; Labor Day (A), September 1; Independence Day (G), September 15;
- Columbus Day (A), October 13; Revolution Day (G), October 20; All Saints
- Day (G), November 1; Veterans' Day (A), November 10; Thanksgiving Day (A),
- November 27; Christmas Eve (from noon-G), December 24; Christmas Day
- (A & G), December 25; New Year's Eve (from noon-G), December 31.
- </p>
- <p>*Date varies.
- </p>
- <p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
- December 1986.
- </p>
-
- </body>
- </article>
- </text>
-
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