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Health & safety

Cover photo by Alain Bonnardeaux

section type iconEmergency information

Emergency numbers

Main emergency helpline (with a bilingual operator) 1500

Hospitals in Antigua Guatemala

If possible, don't rely on the public healthcare system in Guatemala. It's extremely underfunded and the quality of care is not high. Rather, invest in travel insurance that can cover you in public hospitals, which are more modern and offer significantly better care in Guatemala.

section type iconSafety information

Is Antigua safe for solo female travelers?

"During my 2-week trip to Antigua, I always felt at ease exploring the city day and night. The only notable safety concern is petty crime like pickpocketing, which primarily occurs on the chicken buses. If you're taking a chicken bus for the experience, we recommend not bringing any valuables or only bringing items you're comfortable losing."
Denise from Voyage of the Santa Marias

section type iconHealth information

Best travel insurance for Antigua

Travel insurance isn't mandatory, but recommended. 
Choose a plan that offers coverage for Covid-19 and unexpected quarantine. As mentioned, treatment in private hospitals can be expensive if you don't have insurance coverage.

Vaccines

*this information is taken from the official CDC website There are no vaccinations required for entry to Guatemala but check with your doctor if they recommend taking additional ones against:

  • Diphtheria

  • Hepatitis A & B

  • Typhoid

  • Tetanus

If you're traveling from an area where yellow fever is common, you will need to show proof of vaccination against it.

Drinkable tap water?

No, you should not be drinking any tap water in Guatemala. Stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.

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