Vaccines

Some questions have come up recently about vaccinations - are they necessary to visit Guatemala?

This is a good question, and I will give you the short answer right up front - No.

I, who have now lived here for two and a half years, have been vaccinated against various illnesses. However, I don't think that you as a short-term tourist need to worry about this. Some of the most serious illnesses (malaria, dengue fever) only occur in low-lying hot jungles. Keep in mind that Lake Atitlán is not really tropical - it is at 5,000 feet elevation. When my parents came to visit, my dad did not get any vaccines and my mother got one or two, but she did so because we travelled to the Petén jungle on the trip.

Of course, if you are behind on your normal vaccinations, this would be a good opportunity to get yourself up to date; if you want to know anything more about the vaccinations I have received I'm happy to share that information.