The best travel insurance for Guatemala: What to choose?

Guatemala is a country that steals your heart, but if you do not come prepared, you can also give a scare to the pocket. Living here, I’ve seen it all: from friends that bend one ankle down the volcano Acatenango to travelers who end up with a stomach infection for ignoring the advice of ‘don’t drink the tap water’.

If you are traveling from the united States or Europe, you may think that the medical costs here are low. And yes, compared with a hospital in Miami or Madrid, you are. But the private medicine in Guatemala is a business elite; if you end up in an emergency in a good hospital in the Area 10 of the capital city, the bill can go up to thousands of dollars in a few hours.

Here I will tell you, from my local experience, and after researching the current choices for this year 2025, what is the best insurance for your trip.

The reality of health in Guatemala (What they don’t tell you the brochures)

In Guatemala there are two worlds:

1. The public system: Saturated and with few resources. As a foreigner, you do not want to end up here unless it is an extreme emergency and there is no other option.
2. The private system: Clinics of first level in the capital and Ancient. Here is where your travel insurance comes into play.

Important: In places such as El Remate (near Tikal) or remote villages of Lake Atitlan, there are no large hospitals. If something serious happens, you will need a transfer by ambulance or even a helicopter. For this reason, medical evacuation coverage is non-negotiable.

My recommendations according to your profile

1. For the adventurous backpacker: IATI Backpacking

It is the favorite of europeans and increasingly used by people of EE. UU. it lives in nomadic mode.

• Why we choose: Is one of the few that cover hiking, height (fundamental to climb volcanoes over 3,000 meters) and adventure sports like kayaking in Atitlan.
• The best: you don’t have to advance you money. Flames to his assistance, and they manage the payment with the clinic.

2. For the digital nomad or tight budget: SafetyWing

If you’re planning to stay for a month or more, this is the most intelligent option.

• Why I choose: Works as a subscription (you may cancel it when you want). It is incredibly cheap for less than 40 years old.
• Eye with this: you Have a deductible (usually the first $250 to pay you). It is ideal for big things, but not so much for a simple query for a flu.

3. For the traveler of ‘Comfort’ and Families: Heymondo

If you come from vacation 1 or 2 weeks and you want total peace of mind, this is my recommendation number one.

• Why I choose to: Have an app with chat doctor 24/7. I have seen travelers to resolve doubts about ‘the revenge of Montezuma’ (stomach problems) chatting with a real medical without having to leave your hotel in Antigua.
• Coverage: the limits of medical expenses are very high (up to millions of euros/dollars), which gives you peace of mind, absolute.

Is it worth it to hire a local insurance (Guatemala)?

There are insurance companies local very solid as Universal or ASSA. however, for a short trip, not recommended for over the international. Why? Because the international insurance are designed to repatriarte or cover cancellations of flights, something which a local insurance usually manage with more difficulty.

3 key Points before you buy (Edit 2025)

1. What Covers Volcanoes? Many insurance standard exclude activities for up to 2,000 or 2,500 meters. The Volcano of Water or the Acatenango exceed 3,700 meters. Check the small print or add the package of ‘adventure sports’.
2. Theft vs. Theft: in Guatemala, as In any touristic place, there is the pick pocketing. Make sure that your insurance covers theft with violence, but reads well if you cover the simple neglect (theft), that tends to be the most common.
3. Network Hospitals: Question if you have an agreement with the Hospital Herrera Llerandi , or the Hospital of Hope in Guatemala City, Guatemala. They are the best in the country.

Comparative table fast

My verdict honest

If you come from Europe, go for IATI or Heymondo. They have the best service in Spanish and understand perfectly how are the transfers from here.

If you are traveling from the united States, World Nomads is a classic and very robust, but Heymondo will give a digital experience much more fluid.

Don’t let that fear stop you from enjoying the wonders of Tikal or Semuc Champey, but please, do not come without insurance. Here we say: ‘prevention is better than cure’.