Mission Trip Info

If you are considering putting together a short term missions team and coming to Guatemala, here is some info that may help you in putting your trip together.

Capital City: Guatemala City at an elevation of approximately 5,000 ft.

Population: Just over 10 million people; 45% being Indians (Mayan), the other 55% of mixed Spanish/Indian ancestry.

Official Language Spanish (although there are 21 Mayan dialects spoken by the various indigenous families).

Chief Products: Agriculture: bananas, beans, beef cattle, coffee, corn, cotton, sugar cane; Manufacturing: clothing and textiles, handcrafts, processed foods and beverages.

Guatemala is a beautiful and very diverse country.

What do I need to know to come to Guatemala?

Do I need a passport and Visa? YES! You DO need a current passport. You do NOT need a visa to enter Guatemala. Please make a photocopy of your passport to carry with you while you're in the country, keeping the original in a safe here at our place. We will be glad to lock up not only your passport but your money and airline tickets while you're here with us.

Is there anything I need to know about going through Customs? On the plane they will give you a Customs form to fill out. Simply indicate that you are a "tourist." Your destination is Rio Dulce….. If they should question you, just tell them that you are bringing medical supplies to do medical mission work. You shouldn't have any problems.

What about shots and Immunizations? You only need to have your tetanus current. All other shots are not required and we have never found them to be necessary.

Packing? Mark all your bags with something recognizable like a certain colored yarn tassel or colored tape or cloth...so you will know which are yours when you are watching all those "look alike" bags coming around the conveyer belt.

A note about packing. If you are bringing anything liquid in bottles, be sure they are in zip lock bags. We put bottled things inside a small box and then pack the box down inside the duffel bag with clothing around it. Things like shampoo, medical supplies, and breakables then arrive safely.

What type of clothing should I bring? Because we have a very hot climate you need to bring cool clothing -- stick to cotton or cotton blend fabrics if possible. Pants/shorts are acceptable for ladies or men, as long as they are modest. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes!! Walking shoes or tennis is best. Here at the dorm sandals are a good choice. Please be realistic in your clothing needs and do not over-pack! Light weight casual wear is fine for almost every situation here. There will be a few nights we go to a nice restaurant to eat so have a tropical shirt or blouse for that OK? During the medical clinics we will provide you with scrub tops. This identifies us as a team and as medical.

Dress Code?

No pierced body parts of any kind, except earrings for girls/women.
NO earrings for boys/men -- in this culture, this is a sign of homosexuality!
Tattoos in this country indicate that you are in a gang or involved in the drug trade. Military and police are not allowed to have tattoos. (If you have them cut them off,,,, OK, OK, just kidding here, but just wanted you to know if they look at you funny)
Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers and sandals
1 sweater or light-weight jacket, (it gets cold in Guatemala City and Antigua at night.)
Bathing suits (Use your judgment and modesty and remember why you are here)

What Else Should I Bring?

Personal toiletries & medication
Camera & film (disposable cameras are great)
If you bring your digital camera, we can download your pictures on to a CD for you if your memory card gets full.
Bible & notebook (for journaling)
Insect repellent
Disinfectant handy-wipes & hand sanitizing lotion
Sun screen is a MUST
Hat / sun visor / bandana & sunglasses
Ear plugs
Flashlight & extra batteries
Your own personal water bottle. (We provide cold filtered water thought the day from a 5 gallon thermos; just keep re-filling your bottle)
Pepto Bismol & Imodium tablets (as a precaution)
A few "favorite" snacks, if you like, but don't over-do it.... Our food is GOOD & SAFE and there's plenty of it!

What about Travel and Health Insurance? You may want to purchase inexpensive travel and health insurance. If you do, there are several companies online under “Travel and Health Insurance” such as International Insurance Group Inc out of Arizona. You can get more info for missions groups at: International Insurance Group Or call (888) 467-4639 for rates. Another company is: Adams and Associates International out of South Carolina. They can also be reached by phone at (803) 458-1400.

What about Expenses?

Your airfare will be up to you. Usually you can find deals on the internet or go through your favorite travel agent to get group discounts, but air fares change constantly. Your destination will be Guatemala City, Guatemala, Central America.
To figure your expenses, we have included everything you will need from the day of arrival until departure day. The cost is $65.00 per day per person. This covers all lodging, hotels, all three meals a day, (And restaurants), all transportation on buses, van, trucks and boats. Due to the rising cost of electricity and gasoline, I've had to raise the cost recently.
So the only money you need to bring with you, is your personal spending money. Visa is accepted in tourist places much more than Master Card but there is usually a 7% sir charge on using a credit card. Do NOT bring Travelers checks. It takes 45 minutes to an hour to cash the checks in banks here and with a group of 12 -15 people it takes most of the day waiting in a bank. Cash can be easily converted into the national money known as Quetzals. (Rate varies but is usually about 7.50 Quetzals to 1 US Dollar.)

What about Electricity? The same as the USA 110 volts, but ladies don’t bring a hair dryer. (You won’t need it)!

Where you will be staying We have a three story Dormitory / Emergency Room / Apartment. This is where we as a family live and also host short term missions teams.

What about E-Mail and Phone access? You will have access to e-mail your family and let them know you are alive and well. Also a phone is available to make calls home.

What about Bringing Medical Supplies? One of the ways we get the medicines we use here is through companies and individuals donating medicine. You are allowed to bring 2 carry on items and two, 50-lb luggage items. If you are willing we can have a 50 lb. banana box sent to you with over the counter medical supplies like children Tylenol cough syrup etc. If you each bring a suitcase with this medicine we can keep up with the demand we have for medicine in the clinics we do. When passing through customs, they are very thankful to you if they check you. (Just let them know you are on a mission trip and these are meds for the clinics). We have never had a problem.

Other Questions or Concerns? If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to contact me by e-mail or call me at: 011 502 5735-9202 or Skype address: Junglemedic.

This page was last updated 12/09/06