What to Wear in Guatemala - A Traveller’s Packing Guide

There are many great reasons to travel to Guatemala. From the scenic shores of Lake Atitlan to the cobblestones of Antigua; jungle enveloped Tikal to the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey, Guatemala is one stunning country! However, like most developing nations, you need to be prepared to rough it a little more than at home. Ideally, you will arrive fully prepared and self-sufficient. This guide will help you decide what to wear in Guatemala, with a printable packing list to keep you on track.

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General packing tips on what to wear in Guatemala

Climate

Guatemala has three climate zones – tropical, temperate and cool, and two distinct seasons—wet (May -October) and dry (November – April). Depending on the specific places you are travelling to, and time of year you will need to adjust your pack accordingly. Check the temperature and rainfall averages for major cities/regions here.

Clothing and comfort

Due to the climate, Merino wool is perfect. It will keep you warm during cool nights and mornings, and wick away heat as the day warms up. Also, think about packing multiple light layers for the same reason.

Etiquette

Culturally, Guatemala is a conservative country. Most locals cover their chest, shoulders and down to below their knees – men too! Try to reflect this in your own dress and you are less likely to offend your hosts or attract unwanted attention. Pay special attention to covering up when visiting churches or rural villages.

Midi skirt, tee and wide brimmed hat at Tikal

Woman in navy blue dress standing out front a colourful store with person in doorway and dog on sidewalk — Knee length dress and light cotton coverup bought in San Juan de Laguna

Woman sitting infront of blue wall with mural of Guatemalan women weaving on backstrap loom — San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala

Health

There is a risk of Zika Virus, Dengue Fever, Malaria and other mosquito transferred illnesses in Guatemala. Pack an insect repellent that contains recommended amounts of DEET, picaridin or other approved product e.g. RID Tropical Strength or OFF Deep Woods. Consult a doctor or travel clinic about your specific itinerary and whether you need vaccinations or preventative medications.

Security

Guatemala’s minimum wage is about 80 Quetzales (roughly USD10) per day, therefore much of the population lives in poverty. Pickpocketing, theft and muggings can be a problem. Keep your valuables secure and don’t flash them around. Dress casually and leave your treasured jewellery at home.

Electronics

Wondering which plug to use in Guatemala? Electricity in Guatemala is delivered at 110 volts, 60Hz with two-pin power outlets (same as the US). Depending on where you are travelling from and what kind of appliances you are bringing, you may need an international adapter and/or converter. Generally, modern phones, tablets and laptops are made for both 110V and 220-240V, but it pays to check this detail.

Woman in green puffer jacket standing on rooftop with sunset silhouette of large volcano in the background — Light down jacket for evenings in Antigua

Sunset behind a volcano with alpine lake reflecting the colourful light in foreground — Lake Atitlan at sunset, Guatemala

Currency

The currency of Guatemala is called the Quetzal (GTQ), after the national bird. It is very difficult to exchange cash in Guatemala, even banks will only take pristine USD in $50 or $100 bills. We had been advised that USD were readily accepted in Guatemala (apart from rural areas), but they weren’t. So we were stuck with a useless wad of cash, trying to find people to exchange it for us.

The simplest solution would be to withdraw cash in local currency once you’re on the ground, however, card fraud is a problem. Use ATMs inside international hotels and banks as first preference and keep an eye on your account. As extra insurance it may be worthwhile getting a separate travel card for the trip, such as the Travelex Money Card, to limit your vulnerability if someone gets access to your account.

Passport and visas

Ensure your passport has at least 6-months of validity and plenty of pages for customs to stamp. Check whether you require a visa for Guatemala (it will depend on the country of your passport) and entry requirements with regards to health including proof of vaccinations.

Clouds resting on Volcán de Agua in background with the city of Antigua in foreground — Cerro de la Cruz views across Antigua’s grid city plan

Woman in apron standing at benchtop with filled chocolate moulds — Making chocolate in Guatemala

Guatemala Packing List

Basics

Underwear and socks
Sleepwear
Shirts – pack 1 t-shirt for every 2 days of your trip.
Shorts – wear long shorts that will be conservative, cool, and are comfortable for extended walking.
Midi-Skirt – substitute a pair of shorts for a midi-skirt if you feel its appropriate for your itinerary.
Zip-off khakis – 1 pair or zip-off, quick-dry khakis are great for more adventurous pursuits like caving and hiking.
Jeans – 1 pair of jeans for the evenings and early mornings.
Fleece or light down jacket – good to have all year round, particularly in the temperate mountainous areas and activities such as hiking Volcán Pacaya.
Rain jacket or poncho during the wet season (May-October).
Shoes – depending on the activities you have planned, you need a pair of sturdy hiking shoes or light walking shoes, and a nice pair of sandals for the evening. I found the cobblestones in Antigua to hard to navigate in sandals and was wearing my sneakers at night. Some flat booties may be a better option, particularly in cooler months. Water shoes are recommended for activities such as caving at Candelaria and exploring Semuc Champey.
A wide-brim hat.
Sunglasses, preferably UV rated to protect your eyes.
Swimsuit – due to the conservative nature of the country, I would recommend a one-piece swimsuit for women and maybe a pair of boardshorts and/or rash vest. This would be an ideal combo for places like Candelaria Caves. Don’t pack a string bikini.

Toiletries

Deodorant
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Shampoo and conditioner
Aloe vera gel – doubles as sunburn relief and body moisturizer.
Body wash
Face wash
Moisturizer
Hair accessories (ties and pins)
Menstrual products – note that tampons aren’t readily available in Guatemala, you will find mostly pads in pharmacies and supermarkets.
Light makeup and perfume
Laundry soap – a cake of laundry soap is great for washing your smalls in the hotel basin and doesn’t add to your liquids if you’re travelling carry-on only.

Gadgets

A camera and accessories including charger, spare batteries; SD cards; and tripod.
Waterproof camera – we currently use a ProShot case for our phones and a GoPro Hero 11 for underwater photography and video respectively.
Phone and charger.

Day bag

Refillable water bottle – do not drink the tap water in Guatemala! Most hotels offered filtered water stations where you can refill your bottle.
Waterless hand sanitizer
Bandana/cloth napkin
Toilet paper in a ziplock bag to keep it dry.
Headphones
First aid kit
Medications and prescriptions
Dry bag for keeping your camera, phone and other valuables dry, during water activities.
Sunscreen
Lip balm with SPF 15+
Insect repellent
Flashlight or headlamp – ideally a headlamp to keep you hands-free while climbing around caves etc.
Money belt/bra pouch or another secure wallet.
Lightweight beach towel – a microfibre travel towel or peshtemal (cotton Turkish towel) are ideal. Note, even in the dry season we struggled to get things dry. It took days for our towels and swimsuits to dry after our trip to Semuc Champey.