It would not be an overstatement if we said our most epic travel experience so far was in Guatemala. After all, it is not an everyday thing hiking up a 13,044 feet volcano and camping on the volcano slope to see another neighboring active volcano erupt every few minutes all night long. Check out our video below to get a hint of the goosebumps I am feeling right now recalling that night as I write this. We recommend the Acatenango Volcano Hike experience to anyone who is keen about nature and outdoor adventures. The country of Guatemala is also our top destination recommendation as it packs a wonderful blend of nature, history, culture and gastronomy. However, from all our fellow Indian travelers, the first question we always receive is, “What is the process for procuring Guatemala Visa for Indians?” So, let us dive into the details.
This article was last updated in March 2024.
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Plan Your Guatemala Trip:
- Best Places to Visit in Guatemala
- Things to do in Antigua Guatemala
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike
- Packing for Acatenango Volcano Hike
Do Indians Need Visa for Guatemala? Any Exemptions?
As of June 6, 2011, all Indians holding normal Indian passports need to apply for Guatemala Visa at the Guatemalan Embassy or Consulate office. However, Indian citizens holding a valid US Visa or Canada Visa or Schengen Visa are exempt from the Guatemala Visa requirement. Source: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of Guatemala.
We can also confirm about the exemptions based on our experience. We have traveled to Guatemala 3 times on our Indian passports. I (Pubali) showed my US B1/B2 Visa on all the three occasions for entering Guatemala. Indranil showed his US B1/B2 Visa for the first two times and during our last trip, he showed his Canada Visitor Visa.
However, Indian travelers not meeting the Guatemala Visa exemption criteria will need to apply for the Guatemala Visa. So, read on to know the complete details about applying for Guatemala Visa for Indians, as experienced by Mr. Vishwas Momle.
Related Readings:
Guatemala Tourist Visa Application
Mr. Vishwas Momle is an Indian citizen and a Costa Rica resident, currently studying International Law and Human Rights at the United Nations University of Peace. While living in Costa Rica, he got interested to explore the natural and historic marvels of the nearby Central American country, Guatemala. So, Vishwas figured out the Guatemala Tourist Visa application process by himself, completed all the necessary steps and successfully earned the Guatemala Tourist Visa on his Indian passport.
Since this Visa topic is of value for our Indian readers, on our behest, Vishwas was kind enough to share his experience of Guatemala Tourist Visa application through an e-interview with Paradise Catchers.
PC: From which country did you apply for Guatemala Visa?
VM: I applied for Guatemala Visa from Costa Rica.
PC: Did you apply through any broker/agent or by self?
VM: No. I completed the entire process by myself.
PC: What is the website for applying Guatemala Tourist Visa for Indians?
VM: There is no website where you can apply online for Guatemala Tourist Visa. But from Costa Rica, you can write an email to the embassy at embcostarica@minex.gob.g . That is what I did.
Notes from Paradise Catchers
For applying for Guatemala Visa from other countries, you have to write to the respective email address of the Guatemala Embassy in that country. Example, if you are applying for Guatemala Visa from India, you will need to send the email to embaguateindia@minex.gob.gt . If you need to apply from a different country, you can find the corresponding email address on the Ministry of External Affairs website of Guatemala.
PC: How is the Guatemala Visa Application Process?
VM: After I emailed the documents to the aforesaid email address, I received an appointment at the Guatemala Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica. I had to present all the documents in original and pay the fees. There was no interview as such, but I had to fill out a physical form there and submit my passport. Collected my passport the next date with the stamp of Guatemala Tourist Visa.
PC: How was the overall experience?
VM: The overall experience was fairly good. I also managed to make friends with the woman handling this visa application process at the Guatemala Embassy in San Jose. Appearing for the physical appointment was also not a challenge as the Embassy building in San Jose is at a short walking distance from the nearest bus stop.
Documents Needed to Apply for Guatemala Visa for Indians
VM: I sent copies of all the following documents as email attachments. Then on the day of the appointment at the Guatemala Embassy in Costa Rica, presented the originals.
- ID document from country of residence
- Passport
- Original
- 1 clear copy of first page
- US/ Canadian/ Schengen Visa if owned – 1 clear copy of each, if applicable [See PC Note *]
- Guatemala Visa copy – if previously held
- Financial Statement
- Must be presented in Spanish or English. No other language will be accepted.
- Bank statement of last 3 months OR Credit card statement of last 3 months [See PC Note **]
- Travel documents
- Copy of ticket or travel reservation (air/land) for Guatemala trip
- Copy of hotel reservation for Guatemala trip
- 2 passport size photos
- Letter from institution: University/school/other indicating the current student status and explaining if visa applicant will be traveling as part of a specific course/ seminar/ class within the institution’s program. [See PC Note ***]
- Personal letter addressed to the consulate in which the applicant describes the purpose of travel to Guatemala as well as the planned dates of travel.
Notes from Paradise Catchers
* This part seems redundant to us, because if you own any of these visas, you are exempt from needing a Guatemala Tourist Visa to enter Guatemala.
** Include both, if you have.
*** If you are working, include a similar letter from employer stating your employment status and the purpose of your travel. If the purpose is tourism, ask your employer to explicitly state that on the letter. If you are a dependent, request a similar letter from your spouse/ partner/ family member’s employer.
Time Needed for Guatemala Tourist Visa
VM: Couple of days to get the appointment, about 20 minutes for the appointment itself and another 1-2 days for getting the passport back with the Guatemala Visa. So, in total, it did not take more than 3-4 days for the entire process. Within that time frame, I was also able to reschedule the appointment in order to accommodate my personal schedule.
Cost for Guatemala Visa for Indians
VM: The cost is 50 USD for single entry Guatemala Visa valid for 3 months.
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Hi guys! Great job disseminating your travel adventures in such a fun and informative manner. Is this article updated? Can Indian passport holders with US visa still do not need a visa to enter Guatemala?
Hi Minaz. Thank you. Yes, the information is still valid. Indian passport holders with US visa do not need a separate Guatemala tourist visa.
Thanks so much!
*still visit Guatemala without a visa?