What every visitor should know about Guatemala:

Money
The currency is the Quetzal (GTQ). 1 GTQ is worth about US$0.12, or €0.08.
Crime
CrimeSafe Travel Score™: 1 out of 5 (High-risk)

Areas of concern:

  • Mugging
  • Armed robbery is frequent
  • Carjacking
  • Banditry on rural roads
Capital
Guatemala
Tap water
Not recommended. Water is usually drinkable in large cities, but quality is uneven.

Guatemala facts and figures:

People

Population
13,276,517
Language
Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Ethnicity
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1%

Economy

GDP
US$5,400 (per capita)
Income equality
Low
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