Health and Safety

Health

You don't need to be an athlete to enjoy the natural beauty during our tours; which are tailored to your interests and your pace. Guatemala is a mountainous country, hence, our birding walks include some up and downhill sections, which are not extreme and do not require any special equipment. A pair of well-fitting hiking shoes with a decent sole ready for forest trails is all you will need.

The heat of the tropics may be tiring at times. You will always have access to drinking water or soft drinks, which you should always bring along in your backpack. In areas where there are no small shops around, we will bring drinks along so that everyone stays hydrated. Regardless of the terrain, our tours are tailored to your interests and your pace. We will go at a speed that is comfortable for you and which provides for the ideal birding conditions!

The best protection against diseases that are transmitted through insect bites is to prevent their bites in the first place! The use of insect repellent, long pants and long-sleeved shirts in areas were mosquitoes and sand flies are abundant will help. Other important warnings and advice for health precautions can be found at the website of the Center for Disease Control.

Safety

We recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, which generally covers theft, loss, medical problems, and cancellations. More information regarding travel insurance is available through your local travel agent (see also our selected online resources). Please note that hotel and transportation reservations often require down payments. In the case of cancellations, these deposits cannot always be refunded. For more details about reservations, and cancellation policies please read our conditions.

Travelers in Guatemala should not carry large amounts of cash with them. The most secure and easiest way to pay bills in cities in Guatemala is through the use of credit cards (most commonly accepted cards are VISA or MASTER CARD). ATMs are also available in the cities we travel through. In more remote areas you will only need small amounts of cash.

Please do also pay attention to safety advices from your country's authorities, e.g.:
Travel advices from the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. Department of State
Travel advices from the British Foreign Office
Travel advices from the German Federal Foreign Office (in German)