Guatemala Hotel, Map, Weather Picture, Travel and Car Rental Guide

Guatemala is a friendly and affordable place for independent travelers who prefer to create their own itineraries, select their own accommodations, and maintain the flexibility of independent travel. The choice of accommodations in the most popular attractions is wide. In general, upscale hotels usually cost about as much as a mid-range hotel in a USA city, but offer much more in the way of unique and memorable experiences.

Getting between areas can be perfectly simple. Car rental service is among the most popular ways of transportation for travelers who want to avoid the adventures of the bus system. Rentals can be reserved through travel agencies, and most hotels cooperate with a car rental Guatemala service as well.

Budget, National and local firms provide car rental services in Guatemala. Rates are low, but insurance is extra. You can hire a car for up to 30 days with either an International Driving Permit or national license. It is also possible to rent bikes. Regulations may vary from company to company. Documentation required is a local license that will be issued on production of the traveler’s own national driving license. Adequate car insurance is essential.

Finding the experts can enrich independent travel experiences in this country. Travelers who don't want to go with a tour group for their whole trip have another choice: to take advantage of the impressive knowledge of the country's certified tour guides. There are over 1,000 such guides in the country, all of them have perfect training and can talk knowledgeably on all aspects of the country life. Some guides have additional knowledge on areas such as bird-watching or archeology.

Guatemala’s climate varies across the country. The coastal regions and the northeast are hot all year round with an average temperature of 20°C sometimes rising to 37°C. Generally, nights are clear throughout the year. Near the center of the country, the rainy season, lasting from May to September, is characterized by clear skies after abundant rainfall in the afternoons and evenings. Temperatures fall sharply at night.