Guide to Driving In Guatemala - Drive Safe in Guatemala

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Guatemala and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

80 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

110 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 80mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Guatemala on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Guatemala is GTQ
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 16 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Guatemala 0.94 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Guatemala

Driving in Guatemala
Pocket guide to driving in Guatemala
Profile:
Guatemala
Guatemala City
GTQ
Driving in Guatemala
SPEED: (kph)
50
80
110
Speed limit in Guatemala
Holiday:
Rush hour in Guatemala
Cameras:
NO
YES
Speed cameras in Guatemala
FUEL:
0.94
0.84
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Guatemala
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
16
21
Min driving age in Guatemala
DRINK:
80mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Guatemala
EMERGENCY:
110/120
Emergency phone number in Guatemala
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Guatemala
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Guatemala
SEATBELTS:
Yes
No
Seat belt in Guatemala
See here for current child seats law in Guatemala

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Guatemala?

Driving in Guatemala is generally straight forward. After years of civil war and corruption, the country has resolved many of its problems and is attracting tourists drawn by the history and ancient sites. Road infrastructure is poor outside of the main cities so, if exploring, you'll need a four wheel drive vehicle.  Crime against foreigners can be a problem so try to avoid driving at night or in isolated areas unless with a group. Never pick up hitch-hikers or stop to help someone at the side of the road.

Rules of the road

Send to friend
Click here to enter an extra message...
 
Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 110/120

Police Fire: 110/120

Police Ambulance: 110/120

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Nov , 2024

€ 0.84

€ 0.94

Oct , 2024

€ 0.82

€ 0.94

Sep , 2024

€ 0.87

€ 1.01

Aug , 2024

€ 0.90

€ 1.05

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
There are no parking regulations enshrined in law in Guatemala and as such, parking is very haphazard. Most people take the chance for free parking along the side of roads.
 
Paid parking
 
In the big cities such as Guatemala City you’ll find more formal parking in the commercial districts including attended parking garages, metered parking in bays along the street and open lots where a ticket is required. It’s often safer and more convenient to use these – the fees for parking are generally inexpensive.
 
Enforcement
 
There’s little enforcement of parking as much of it is free. You’ll only encounter police involvement in parking where a road or access is obstructed, then, you’ll find your car being towed away.
 
Disabled parking
 
Many Guatemalans were injured in the civil war but despite this, there are no concessions for disabled drivers. If you need help, try an attended lot or parking garage or just do like the locals do and park wherever you can find a space near to where you want to go.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 110/120

Police Fire: 110/120

Police Ambulance: 110/120

The emergency number in Guatemala is either 110 or 120 for the police, medical services or fire.

What to do in an emergency

If you encounter a mechanical problem with your car in Guatemala you will need to use a local mechanic as there aren’t any breakdown companies that cover the whole country. If you’re in a hire car, use the emergency number provided on the documentation or inside the windscreen of the car. 
 
In the event of an accident you must stop if there is major damage or if someone has been hurt. The vehicles must not be moved until a police officer and/or an insurance representative has said you can. If someone is injured or dies as a result of the crash, all drivers involved will be arrested and jailed until the police decide on responsibility. Whilst waiting for the police to arrive, take photographs of the scene and collect witness details. The police and insurance representative will give you a copy of their report. 

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

  • Give way - Ceda el paso
  • Traffic lights - Semaforas
  • Right of way – Prioridad
  • Exit – Salida
  • Danger – Peligro
  • No parking - Prohibido aparcar
  • Slow – Despacio
  • Lane – Un carril
  • City centre – Centro ciudad
  • Carretera – Local Highway
  • Roadworks – Obras
  • Where is the nearest petrol station? – ¿Donde es la gasolinera la más cercana?
  • Excuse me, I’m lost – Por favor, estoy perdido…
  • Go straight on – ‘Siga todo recto’
  • Turn right – ‘Toma el giro a la derecha’
  • Turn left – ‘Toma el giro a la izquierda’
  • Detour - Desviacion
  • Toll Road – Carretera de Peaje
  • Road Closed – Cerrado.
  • Road Open – Abierto
  • Motorway – Una autopista
  • One way street – Direccíon unica
  • Dual Carriageway - Autovia

Guatemala Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Nov , 2024

€ 0.84

€ 0.94

Oct , 2024

€ 0.82

€ 0.94

Sep , 2024

€ 0.87

€ 1.01

Aug , 2024

€ 0.90

€ 1.05

Jul , 2024

€ 0.93

€ 1.06

Jun , 2024

€ 0.90

€ 1.06

May , 2024

€ 1.06

€ 1.11

Apr , 2024

€ 0.97

€ 1.15

Mar , 2024

€ 0.97

€ 1.07

Feb , 2024

€ 0.99

€ 1.02

Jan , 2024

€ 0.94

€ 0.97

Dec , 2023

€ 0.94

€ 0.95

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Nov , 2024 0.84 0.94
Oct , 2024 0.82 0.94
Sep , 2024 0.87 1.01
Aug , 2024 0.90 1.05
Jul , 2024 0.93 1.06
Jun , 2024 0.90 1.06
May , 2024 1.06 1.11
Apr , 2024 0.97 1.15
Mar , 2024 0.97 1.07
Feb , 2024 0.99 1.02
Jan , 2024 0.94 0.97
Dec , 2023 0.94 0.95

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Guatemala and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Chloe Demaret
Posted by Chloe Demaret
About the Author -

Travel writer, social media guru, Chloe keeps our readers and customers up to speed with all the car rental and travel trends on our blog. Favourite destination: Dubai.

Visitor Comments