Guatemala

Visas & Work Permits

Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for a period of up to 90 days.

Please contact a local embassy, consulate or representative for more information. Alternatively, there are specialist companies that provide visa and immigration support to the media industry, and may be able to assist.

Film Location Permits

In Guatemala, film location permits for small shoots are typically same day or within a couple of days.

Citywide permits for b-roll shoots are possible.

Shoots that require traffic control or other exclusive use of public space take at least seven days to permit, and require consultation with local authorities and the police.

Permits for aerial filming are only needed in Guatemala City and Antigua. Most aerial and national parks permits take about a week.

Permission to shoot the Mayan ruins of Tikal has very little red tape, as opposed to shooting Mayan ruins in Mexico, which is very prohibitive. Allow at least two weeks for a permit.


Customs

For productions looking to bring in film equipment, Guatemala is not an ATA carnet country.

Guatemala has most of the standard camera, lighting and grip equipment available locally. If more sophisticated equipment is required, this can easily be brought in from Mexico City. Alternatively, Guatemala is a short two hour flight from Miami.

For visiting crews looking to carry in small amounts of gear, a Guatemalan fixer or producer can provide a guarantee letter to present at customs.

When to Film

Guatemala has a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April.

The wet season in the mountainous area of southern Guatemala typically has rainfall earlier in the day, followed by clear skies and pleasant temperatures in the evenings. The dry season is sunny with cooler temperatures particularly at night. This is the best time to film, with hot days and less rainfall.

Northern Guatemala and the Pacific coast is hot and humid, throughout the year, with high rainfall from May to October.

Guatemala is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.


Public Holidays

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Guatemala.

Local costs, such as locations and talent, are inexpensive. Most visiting productions prefer to bring in their own key crew and equipment, which will add to production costs. On the whole, Guatemala is a very cost competitive film destination.

The standard VAT rate in Guatemala, at the time of writing, is set at 12%.

Funding

DOCTV Latinoamérica

Ibermedia


Tax Incentives

At the time of writing, this country does not have any filming incentives. However, up-to-date information on global filming incentives may be found on the Entertainment Partners' Production Incentives Map.