Guatemala - Clearance
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
General Process:
On arrival, yachts are normally visited by Customs, Immigration, Police, Health and Port Captain.
Yachts coming from the US (where zarpes are not routinely issued) should get verification of date of departure from the USCG or other source (marina receipt). An exit zarpe from your last port will be asked for.
Boats entering Guatemala from abroad will be given a three-month cruising permit. See Customs below for more information about length of stay.
CLEARING OUT
A zarpe (clearance) must be obtained from Immigration and the Port Captain must sign it. Passports must also have exit stamps from Immigration.
1. Harbour Master, where you will be given a zarpe (clearance – 2 copies) for your next destination. You will need to state the country and port of entry of your new destination and the Port Captain must sign both copies.
2. Immigration, where you will have to pay a small departure fee and hand over a signed copy of one of the two zarpe.
Details of Fees can be found below.
Last updated: October 2021
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Checking in this morning to Guatemala. They will apparently do a PCR test tomorrow on us. We have been told that we will have to quarantine for 12 days irrespective of the result. Though our feeling on this one is perhaps this one incorrect information as it seems illogical. They have stated that we could quarantine in the designated marina though. Which is nice….Good luck folks and avoid those hurricanes.
Port livingston Guatemala. Also, spring tide worked on a bearing of 220Mag for a 1.8m draft vessel.
US Embassy latest news. https://gt.usembassy.gov/news-events/
Guatemalan President also reported that this also applies to Canadian citizens, as well as US citizens.
Lilia Hartmann, author of the Guide to the Rio Dulce, has now confirmed the rules that regulate the entry and stay of a yacht in Guatemala:
1. Boats entering Guatemala from abroad will receive a cruising permit valid for 3 months. The cost of this permit will be US$ 50,00, to be paid at the bank located near the customs office.
2. Boats who wish to remain longer are recommended to ask immediately for an additional 9 month permit at the cost of UD$ 150,00. If they do not ask for the extension straight away, the captain will have to return to Livingston to do this later.
3. Boats who wish to remain after the first 12 months may obtain a permit to remain an additional 12 months at a cost of US$ 150,00. This extension may be renewed each 12 months thereafter, but it requires that the vessel is located in an INGUAT (Istituto Guatemaltteco de Turismo) registered marina and there must be a contract with the marina.
Re. the above comment, Raul Veliz, the customs agent in Livingston, reported that these rules have not officially been approved yet. More information when we have it.
On Friday, March 28 there was a meeting at Nana Juana Hotel & Marina in Rio Dulce that was hosted by the Guatemala Ministry of Tourism (INGUAT) where it was announced that the rule regarding vessels having to leave the country for three months has been rescinded and the old system will be implemented. This is very good news for all.
The rule that will take effect April 1 is as follows:
1. Boats when initially entering Guatemala from abroad will receive a cruising permit valid for three (3) months. The cost for this permit will be $50.00 US dollars plus Q60.00 (about $7.80 US).
2. Boats who wish to remain longer have the option to obtain an additional nine (9) month permit at a cost of $150.00 US Dollars.
3. Boats who wish to remain after the first 12 months as described above may obtain a permit to remain an additional 12 months at a cost of $150.00 US Dollars.
4. The extension described above for periods beyond the initial 12 month period may be renewed every 12 months thereafter indefinitely for a fee of $150.00 US Dollars. These extensions also require that the vessel be located in an INGRATE registered marina and there must be a contract with the marina.
There is no requirement that vessels leave the country for three (3) months or any other period to qualify for these extensions.
The fees stated above are SAT fees and do not include fees that may be charged by immigration or an agent.
Be advised that after the first 3 months in Guatemala, you must be staying at one of 8 ‘registered’ marinas in order to qualify for a 12-month extension. Marina rates are going up as services remain the same…
When arriving or leaving Guatemala via Livingston it is best to use a “tramitador” or agent for a reasonable amount. The one to use is Raul Morales Veiz, tel +502 7947-0888 mobile +502 5510-9104, navieraservamar@gmail.com Livingston Izabal Guatemala