🧳Pack My Apps
← All destinations
🇬🇹
Essential apps for

Guatemala

SpanishGTQ9 apps

In Guatemala City, Antigua and Panajachel, Uber is the safe default for getting around — locals warn against unmarked street taxis and recommend apps over hailing. Cash in quetzales rules everyday spending, so carry small bills, but cards and Mercado Pago work in cities. WhatsApp is the universal messenger; mobile data is decent in towns and patchy in the highlands, so grab an eSIM and download offline maps.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeA / B
Voltage120V
Freq60Hz

Same plugs and voltage as the US and Canada, so North American devices work without an adapter. European, Asian and Australian travelers need a type A/B adapter.

💬

Basic phrases

Spanish

  • Hello
    Hola
    OH-lah
  • Thank you
    Gracias
    GRAH-syahs
  • Excuse me / Sorry
    Perdón / Disculpe
    pehr-DOHN / dees-KOOL-peh
  • Yes
    Sí
    see
  • No
    No
    noh

+10 more below

🎎

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated but modest. Around 10% at restaurants is customary if no service charge is already added, so check the bill first. Taxi and rideshare drivers aren't tipped beyond rounding up; tour guides get roughly $5-10 per person per day.

🚖Rideshare & Taxi

See all →
U

Uber

The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.

Safest, most reliable ride app — works in Guatemala City, Antigua and Panajachel; cash accepted.
iOSAndroidWebsite
i

inDrive

Driver-negotiated rideshare popular in Latin America, Africa, Russia, Pakistan.

Cheaper name-your-fare backup; use only in daylight and busy areas, as it has a rougher reputation here.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🗺️Navigation & Maps

See all →
G

Google Maps

Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.

Best for driving and walking; download offline maps before heading to Atitlán or Flores.
iOSAndroidWebsite

💬Translation

See all →
G

Google Translate

The universal default. Camera mode translates signs and menus instantly.

Camera mode for menus and signs; handy in markets and outside tourist hubs.
iOSAndroidWebsite

📱Messaging

See all →
W

WhatsApp

The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.

How everyone communicates — shuttle drivers, guesthouses and tour operators all reply here.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🍱Food Delivery

See all →
U

Uber Eats

Wide coverage in US, UK, Japan, Australia, parts of Europe and LATAM.

Restaurant delivery in the capital and Antigua; the local leader PedidosYa isn't in this list.
iOSAndroidWebsite
R

Rappi

Latin America super-app: food, groceries, pharmacy, cash withdrawal.

Food, groceries and pharmacy delivery plus errands in Guatemala City.
iOSAndroidWebsite

✈️Travel Planning

See all →
B

Booking.com

Largest hotel inventory globally with free-cancellation default filter.

Wide range of stays from Antigua colonial hotels to Lake Atitlán and Flores.
iOSAndroidWebsite

📶eSIM & Data

See all →
A

Airalo

eSIMs for 200+ countries, instant install. Avoid roaming charges entirely.

eSIM so you land connected; coverage is solid in cities and thinner in the highlands.
iOSAndroidWebsite
Phrases

All Spanish phrases

Hello
Hola
OH-lah
Thank you
Gracias
GRAH-syahs
Excuse me / Sorry
Perdón / Disculpe
pehr-DOHN / dees-KOOL-peh
Yes
Sí
see
No
No
noh
Please
Por favor
por fah-VOR
Goodbye
Adiós
ah-DYOHS
How much?
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah
Where is the bathroom?
¿Dónde está el baño?
DOHN-deh ehs-TAH el BAH-nyoh
The check, please
La cuenta, por favor
lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR
I don't understand
No entiendo
noh ehn-TYEHN-doh
Do you speak English?
¿Habla inglés?
AH-blah een-GLEHS
Help!
¡Ayuda!
ah-YOO-dah
Delicious
Delicioso
deh-lee-SYOH-soh
Cheers
¡Salud!
sah-LOOD
Briefing

What to know before you go

✓ Do

  • Greet with a handshake and a friendly 'buenos días/tardes'; politeness is valued.
  • Always ask permission before photographing Indigenous people, especially in highland markets.
  • Dress modestly when visiting churches and rural Maya communities.
  • Bargaining is expected in markets but should stay good-natured.

✕Don't

  • Taking chicken buses or unmarked taxis after dark, particularly in the capital.
  • Flashing phones, cameras or jewelry in busy areas or at night.
  • Walking alone in Guatemala City Zonas with higher crime; stick to Zona 10/14 and vetted areas.

⚠️ Common scams to know

  • Inflated 'tourist prices' on chicken buses (camionetas) — locals pay a fraction of what visitors are quoted.
  • Unmarked white street taxis in Guatemala City; use Uber or INGUAT-approved 'SAFE' airport taxis only.
  • Petty theft and pickpocketing in crowded markets, especially after dark.
Going elsewhere?

More destination guides

🇯🇵Japan🇨🇳China (mainland)🇰🇷South Korea🇹🇼Taiwan🇭🇰Hong Kong🇹🇭Thailand🇻🇳Vietnam🇸🇬Singapore🇮🇩Indonesia🇵🇭Philippines🇮🇳India🇺🇸United States🇬🇧United Kingdom🇫🇷France🇩🇪Germany🇮🇹Italy🇪🇸Spain🇳🇱Netherlands