The Guatemalan Tourism Commission (INGUAT), 7a Av. 1-17, Zona 4, Guatemala City (www.visitguatemala.com), is the principal informational and promotional arm of the Guatemalan government. You can call them toll-free from the United States and Canada at tel. 800/464-8281, or directly in Guatemala at tel. 502/2421-2854. They can send you a basic information package, though most of the same information is available on their website. Once you land in Guatemala, INGUAT has an information booth inside the airport, open Monday through Friday from 6am until 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8am until 8pm. The booth supplies maps and brochures, and will often make a call for you if you need a last-minute hotel or car rental reservation. INGUAT also maintains offices or information booths at several of the major tourist destinations around the country. Wherever these exist, they are listed in the corresponding sections throughout the book.
In addition to INGUAT's official website, you'll be able to find a wealth of Web-based information on Guatemala with a few clicks of your mouse.
Ecotourism -- The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." You can find eco-friendly travel tips, statistics, touring companies, and associations -- listed by destination under "Travel Choice" -- at the TIES website, www.ecotourism.org. Ecotravel.com is a part online magazine and part eco-directory that lets you search for touring companies in several categories (water-based, land-based, spiritually oriented, and so on). Also check out Conservation International (www.conservation.org) which, with National Geographic Traveler, annually presents the World Legacy Awards (www.wlaward.org) to those travel tour operators, businesses, organizations, and places that have made a significant contribution to sustainable tourism.
Destination Guatemala: Red Alert Checklist
Take the address and phone number of your country's embassy or consulate with you.
Make any restaurant or travel reservations that need to be booked in advance prior to leaving home.
Did you find out your daily ATM withdrawal limit? Did you check with your bank to see if your credit or debit card will work in Guatemala?
While many of Guatemala's ATMs will work fine with five- and six-digit PINs, some will only accept four-digit PINs. Before traveling, it's wise to change your PIN to avoid any unexpected hassles in getting cash.
Do you know your credit card PINs?
Save time by checking in at the e-ticket kiosk at the airport. Have the credit card you bought your ticket with or your frequent-flier number.
If you purchased traveler's checks, record the check numbers and store the documentation separately from the checks.
Pack your camera, an extra set of camera batteries, and enough film.
Have a safe, accessible place to store money.
Bring emergency drug prescriptions and extra glasses and/or contact lenses.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home.
Stop the newspaper and mail delivery, and leave a set of keys with someone reliable.
Take measurements for those people you plan to buy clothes for on your trip.
Online Traveler's Toolbox
Veteran travelers usually carry some essential items to make their trips easier. Following is a selection of handy online tools to bookmark and use.
Airplane Seating & Food: Find out which seats to reserve and which to avoid (and more) on all major domestic airlines at www.seatguru.com. And check out the type of meal (with photos) you'll likely be served on airlines around the world at www.airlinemeals.net.
Foreign Languages for Travelers (www.travlang.com): Learn basic terms in more than 70 languages, and click on any underlined phrase to hear what it sounds like.
Weather Forecasts: Intellicast (www.intellicast.com) and weather.com (www.weather.com) give weather forecasts for all 50 states and for cities around the world.
Maps: Mapquest (www.mapquest.com) is the best of the mapping sites; it lets you choose a specific address or destination and, in seconds, returns a map and detailed directions.
Time & Date (www.timeanddate.com): See what time (and day) it is anywhere in the world.
Travel Warnings (http://travel.state.gov, www.fco.gov.uk/travel, www.voyage.gc.ca, or www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice): These sites report on places where health concerns or unrest might threaten American, British, Canadian, and Australian travelers. Generally, U.S. warnings are the most paranoid; Australian warnings are the most relaxed.
Universal Currency Converter (www.xe.com/ucc): See what your dollar or pound is worth in more than 100 other countries.
ATM Locators: Visa ATM Locator (www.visa.com) for locations of PLUS ATMs worldwide, or MasterCard ATM Locator (www.mastercard.com), for locations of Cirrus ATMs worldwide.
