Major city · Guatemala
Mazatenango
Skip as a destination. Use only as a transit stop on CA2 between Guatemala City and the Pacific beaches or Retalhuleu: 30 minutes for lunch or a bus change, no overnight.
Mazatenango is the capital of Suchitepéquez department and a transport hub on the CA2 highway, but has little to offer a traveller. The town is a functional service centre with a shopping mall and a nearby Pacific beach (Tulate). Most visitors pass through on the way to Retalhuleu, Monterrico or Lake Atitlán.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, heavy downpours)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mazatenango110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mazatenango, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyMazatenango is a working town with typical Central American street crime risks: keep valuables out of sight, avoid walking alone after dark…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 2.5 h by bus or car on CA2).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealComida corriente (set lunch)Q25–40
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk ride within townQ5–15
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomGTQ 150
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomGTQ 250
- High-end bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomGTQ 400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 150 · Mid GTQ 300 · High GTQ 500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (About 2.5 h by bus or car on CA2)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jun (22 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mazatenango: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
22 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
20 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
20 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
22 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
18 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre. Tuk-tuks and microbuses for short trips; taxis available at the bus terminal.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tulate beach
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Direct bus from Mazatenango via Cuyotenango, about 45 min
Pacific beach with strong currents; basic facilities.
Retalhuleu
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus on CA2 westbound, about 30 min
Takalik Abaj ruins and IRTRA parks.
Monterrico
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Bus via Escuintla and Taxisco, about 2 h
Black-sand beach and turtle sanctuary.
Lake Atitlán
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus via Cocales to Panajachel, about 1.5 h
Volcano lake; the main visitor base.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Basic hotels near the bus terminal; functional for a night if you miss the last connection.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q250–400 excl. bed
- High
- Q400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room1 × 1 night × GTQ 150 | GTQ 150 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GTQ 150 | GTQ 150 |
| Bus Guatemala City → Mazatenango1 × GTQ 50 · check | GTQ 50 |
| Tuk-tuk ride within town1 × GTQ 10 | GTQ 10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 36 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 396 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 396 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Guatemala City → Mazatenangocheck | Q40–60 |
| Tuk-tuk ride within town | Q5–15 |
| Comida corriente (set lunch) | Q25–40 |
| Bottled water (1 L) | Q5–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses on CA2 are frequent but slow in the rainy season.
- Tulate beach has strong currents: swim only in designated areas.
- Last buses to smaller towns leave before dark.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MazatenangoMazatenango
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Guatemala City → Mazatenango: about Q40–60, about 2.5 h (check)
- Tuk-tuk centre → bus terminal: Q10–15
Say or show
- Buenos días / Buenas tardes — Hello
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much?
- ¿Dónde está el bus para…? — Where is the bus to…?
- Gracias — Thank you
Spanish is the main language; some K'iche' spoken in the region.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mazatenango. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, heavy downpours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Tulate beach and Plaza Las Américas with verified hours.
- Bus schedules on CA2: field-checked departure frequencies.
- Hotel listings with walk-in rates.
Sources
Ask about Mazatenango
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