I haven’t been back to Guatemala since July of 2018 - 3 whole years!! Seems like forever after yearly trips since 2002 only interrupted by our 4 year stint living there between 2006 and 2010.
We couldn’t wait for Guatemala to be open again to foreign visitors so booked our summer vacation tickets as soon as we were fully vaccinated. We flew out of Washington-Dulles on a direct United flight to Guatemala City on July 1, 2021. I’m sure the process will continue to evolve, but I’ve had lots of questions about traveling during Covid so wanted to document my experience here.
But first, a few statistics to put the Covid situation in Guatemala in perspective. While in most of the U.S. life is returning to normal the situation in Guatemala is not the same. If you do plan to travel to Guatemala, expect to behave as you did at the height of the pandemic in the U.S. and please be respectful of those who are not fortunate enough to have received a vaccine.
While Guatemala has experienced many fewer cases (just over 300,000 versus over 34 million) and fewer deaths (9,461 versus over 600,000) than the U.S., the mortality rate is significantly higher (3.1% versus 1.8%). As of July 5, 2021 daily cases and deaths are rising and are at 94% of the peak according to Reuters. The important thing to keep in mind while traveling in Guatemala is that most people are not vaccinated and do not have access to the vaccine. Just 2.9% of the population has been vaccinated versus 47.4% in the U.S..
As of our flight date, the requirements for entry into Guatemala were a negative Covid test within the past 72 hours of arrival, COVID-19 vaccine completed at least two weeks before arrival, or recovery from COVID-19 within three months of arrival. Here is where you can check current requirements.
So what was flying like? When we arrived at Dulles airport all of our check-in was via the kiosks. We checked ourselves in, scanned our passports and printed our own luggage tags. Then dropped our bags off where they were weighed (and I had to remove a pair of sneakers from one suitcase to get it under 50 lbs). No one checked or asked about any Covid related paperwork. Masks were required in the airport and on the plane. I don’t remember anyone taking our temperature or asking any questions about our Covid status or paperwork.
Just before arrival, in addition to the normal customs and immigration form, we were given a health form to complete. Basically just asking if we had been sick or been exposed to Covid.
On arrival at La Aurora there is a new stop along the concourse (just before the currency exchange) where our temperatures were taken, our health form was collected and we were asked to show our vaccination cards.
After that the process of immigration and customs was exactly as it has always been. All in all easier than I had expected.
As of now we will be required to take a COVID test before leaving in order to be allowed back into the U.S. I saw an ad on the United video screen about a service to do the testing but have also heard from friends here in Antigua that there is a person who will come to the house and do the test and provide the paperwork we need. I’ll post an update on how that goes once we are back in the States.