Packing Considerations
Passports
You do not need a visa ahead of time to travel in Guatemala, but you must have a valid U.S. passport to travel. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 3 months after the return date. Please make a copy of your passport for Estrategia de Transformación to hold while you are in country. Please make a copy of your passport to keep with you at all times. In most cases you will not need your passport until departure.
It is not necessary to carry your passports on your person during your time in Guatemala and so we encourage all visitors to keep those locked up in a safe place in their place of lodging. We do recommend you make a good, clear photocopy of the main page of your passport and keep it in a safe place apart from the originals. You will not need to carry the photocopy with you either during your time in Guatemala. The only time you will actually need your passport in your possession is in the airport when you arrive and depart and in the bank if you want to exchange money.
Luggage
- Most
airlines, of course, allow you to bring 1 checked suitcase (50 lbs.
max), 62 linear inches per piece
(157 cm) (total length + width + height
You may also bring 1 carry-on and 1 purse/camera bag/personal item. You can only exceed your weight/size limits for checked bags and carry on’s by paying extra fee’s at check-in. We highly recommend trying to stay away from that. - Money should be carried on your person, not in your carry-on.
- Do not bring along expensive jewelry or other personal items. (Basic rule: Don't bring anything that you cannot afford to loose!)
- Make sure all luggage is labeled with your name, address, and phone number. (Contact us for details on this)
- Attach distinguishable ribbon to luggage for easy recognition at airport.
- Pack
an extra shirt and undergarments in your
carry-on in case luggage is lost.
Clothing
The Guatemalan cultural expectations for Christians are quite
conservative and it is important that they be respected. In public,
please refrain from wearing torn jeans or shirts, etc. even if you are
doing a work project. Shorts are not encouraged unless you are playing
sports or doing tourist activities, so please plan on long pants (jeans)
or for the ladies jeans, capri’s or long skirts. Please prepare
“modest” clothing for this trip and sufficient for the time you will be
here!
- Sunday
Ministry – Casual but nice. Slacks, collared
shirts, long skirts, etc.
- Rain gear is needed from May till October and a sweater or light jacket for the rest of the time as it will be cool in the evenings.
- Guatemala´s seasons are only "dry" and "rainy". Dry season goes from November to April, and Rainy season is from May to October, with the highest chances to get lots of rain during june and july. Despite the rain, the weather will be in the mid 70’s average. Guatemala is known as the land of Eternal Spring so it can be a little chilly in the early morning and evenings especially in the highlands so come prepared with at least one a sweater or light jacket as it will be cool in the evenings. A portable(travel-size) umbrella would be useful to bring along.
- Monday-
Friday – Comfortable clothes to work and
play in but respectable and modest. The Guatemalan cultural expectations for
Christians is
quite conservative and it is important that this be respected. In
public,
please refrain from wearing torn jeans or shirts, etc. even if you are
doing a
work project. Unless you are playing sports or doing tourist activities
shorts
are not encouraged so please plan on long pants (jeans) or for the
ladies
jeans, capri’s or long skirts.
- Althong this is not extrictly required, it is good to know that culturally, it
will be better to follow this point: No lip, tongue or facial piercing. No
pierced ears for the guys. Excessive or strange piercings are discouraged. For the ladies, only one set of pierced earrings at
a time. Please
bring a minimal amount of jewelry.
- For women it is best to have modest sleeves on shirts, tops, and dresses or bring a sweater to wear. Np spaghetti straps or Tank tops. (T-Shirt must be long enough to tuck in) No shorts or “mini-skirts.” Jeans and Capri pants for the ladies are acceptable.
- Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes at all times. Tennis shoes and sandals are ok. Although "flip flops" are comfortable, might be a bad choice for ministry, and several host leaders have observed that closed shoes are better for several reasons. You can bring a pair, just make sure that isn´t ALL you have.
- Tatoos: In Latin America, the culture is not very open regarding tatoos, and often people relate tattoos with gang activity. If you have tattoos, please keep them covered as best as possible, or ask us where and when can you show them without a problem.
- NO USE of TOBACCO OR ALCOHOL. Please avoid it during your time with us as it is considered unacceptable among the Guatemalan Christian community.
- The voltage in Guatemala is 110v, the same as that in the U.S. Voltage adapters will not be needed, though a two- to three-prong adapter can be useful in some places.
Special Recommended Personal Care Items
(Most of this things you can also find them here, but if you have them already, and can bring them, that is up to you)
- Hand wipes (anti-bacterial)
- Anti-bacterial hand gel
- Sunscreen and Suntan Lotion or baseball cap (No New York Yankees. All Detroit Tigers gear is highly encouraged!!)
- First Aid kit (band-aids, antibiotic ointment, insect bite medicine, Anti-diarrhea and Anti-gas medication, Tylenol, Antacids, etc.)
- Allergy medication
- Ressistant Water Bottle, to refill every time you want.
- Personal toiletry items: shampoo, soap, tooth brush, tooth paste, razor and ect.
- Throat lozenges
- Mosquito repellent
- Small notebook
- Small Bible - Bilingual Bible if you have one
- Small Travel Umbrella
- Swim Suit: Modest. One piece.
- A card with your name, address in US and in Guatemala - tape it to the inside top of your suitcase.
- Non Perishable snacks/candy
