Guatemala
Central America · Central America & Caribbean · Physician brief
Yellow fever entry rule — only if arriving from a risk country
Guatemala may require proof of yellow fever vaccination from travelers arriving from or transiting a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. There is no yellow fever risk within Guatemala itself, and travelers arriving directly from Switzerland are not affected. Confirm current requirements with your travel medicine specialist before departure.
WHO / CDC Travelers' Health ↗ · Updated 2026
Vaccines
Disease-specific guidance
Malaria
LowRisk is limited to specific rural lowland departments — CDC recommends chemoprophylaxis for Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Escuintla, Izabal, and Petén (the department containing Tikal). The main highland tourist areas — Antigua, Guatemala City, and Lake Atitlán — are no-risk. Transmission is almost entirely P. vivax (≈99%).
- Risk areas
- Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Escuintla, Izabal, Petén
- No risk
- Antigua, Guatemala City, Lake Atitlán
- Species
- ≈99% P. vivax
- Prevention
- Chemoprophylaxis for listed rural departments; mosquito protection elsewhere
Yellow fever
NoneNo yellow fever risk in Guatemala. A vaccination certificate may be required only if arriving from or transiting a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.
Dengue
HighEndemic year-round, with peaks during the rainy season (roughly May–November). Transmission is concentrated in lower-altitude areas; the highland cities are cooler and lower-risk but not zero. Daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the main protection.
- Distribution
- Year-round, mainly lowlands
- Season
- Peaks May–November (rainy season)
- Mosquito
- Aedes aegypti — bites during daytime
Chikungunya
LowChikungunya circulates via the same daytime Aedes mosquito as dengue, so dengue prevention also protects against chikungunya. Vaccination is generally not recommended for routine travel but may be considered in outbreak settings (see EKRM statement).
Zika
PresentZika circulates in Guatemala via the same daytime Aedes mosquito as dengue, mainly in lowland areas. Because Zika infection in pregnancy can cause severe birth defects, pregnant travelers are generally advised to avoid non-essential travel, and couples planning pregnancy should follow current EKRM/CDC waiting-period advice after travel.
- Vector
- Aedes aegypti — daytime biting
- Pregnancy
- Avoid non-essential travel if pregnant
- Prevention
- Strict daytime bite protection; safe-sex precautions
General prevention
Food & water
Use bottled or filtered water, avoid ice from unverified sources, and pay attention to food hygiene. Standard tropical precautions reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid — especially relevant when eating outside major hotels and in rural areas.
Mosquito protection
Year-round dengue, Zika, and chikungunya risk means daytime mosquito protection (DEET or picaridin repellent, long sleeves) is essential. For travel to rural lowland departments, also protect at dawn/dusk for malaria. Zika is particularly relevant for pregnant travelers or those planning pregnancy.
Sources
Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.
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This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.