Guatemala

• Rules
• Living
• Geography

Attention:  This information is to be used as general guidelines and may not be updated to meet the current requirements.  Before you travel, be sure to contact the appropriate authorities for your destination country.

PET IMPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Subcutaneous (below the skin) microchip implant that meets ISO specification.

Certified rabies vaccination, with some kind of prior period of time or evidence the vaccination is working (commonly blood serology tests to confirm the vaccination has "taken" and a delay of some months to confirm the animal is rabies free initially)

International Health Certificate confirming fitness to travel and/or no obvious signs of disease.

        * Government certification that the vet's export documentation and certificates are in order for travel.

        * Sometimes certain carriers or import/export points only, will allow animals.

The International Health Certificate must be endorsed by both the USDA and the Guatemalan Embassy.

Guatemala, in common with almost every country operating such a scheme, demands that all imported pets have a rabies vaccination, but will not accept the Pet Passport as proof of said vaccination. They need to see the proof of the rabies in the animal's vaccination records.

Non Profit Asociación de Recate y Conservación de Vida Sivilestre

ARCAS – Administration Office
Zona 8 Mixco
San Cristobal GUATEMALA 
(502)478-4096
www.arcasguatemala.com
email: arcas@intelnet.net.gt

ARCAS – Peten Office
Biblioteca ARCAS
Barrio de la Ermita, San Benito
Peten GUATEMALA(
502)926-0946
email: arcaspeten@hotmail.com

The Republic of Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the northwest, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast.

Capital: Guatemala City

Language: Spanish

Currency: Quetzal (GTQ)

Geography

Guatemala is mountainous, except for the south coastal area and the northern vast lowlands of Petén department. Two mountain chains enter Guatemala from west to east, dividing the country into three major regions: the highlands, where the mountains are located; the Pacific coast, south of the mountains; and the Petén region, north of the mountains. All major cities are located in the highlands and Pacific coast regions; by comparison, Petén is sparsely populated. These three regions vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between hot and humid tropical lowlands and colder and drier highland peaks. Volcán Tajumulco, at 4,220 meters, is the highest point in Central America. Guatemala HighlandsThe rivers are short and shallow in the Pacific vertient, larger and deeper, such as the Polochic which drains in Lake Izabal Río Dulce, (Motagua) and Sartún that forms the boundary with Belize in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico vertient (Usumacinta, which forms the boundary between Chiapas, Mexico and Petén and its tributaries such as La Pasión and San Pedro.

Biodiversity:

The country has 14 ecoregions ranging from Mangrove forests, to both ocean littorals with 5 different ecosystems.

Climate:

The Pacific coast swelters year-round, with temperatures often hovering around 38°C (100°F). The seemingly constant high humidity diminishes a little in the dry season (verano; November to April). Depending on the altitude, the highlands are pleasantly warm during the day but can be freezing at night. During the rainy season (invierno; May-Oct) the mountain areas tend to be damp and chilly, but dry and warm during the dry season. The climate in the lowland jungles of El Petén varies only from hot and humid to sweltering and dry. In the rainy season, the mud can make roads and walking tracks very sticky.