Guatemala is located in Central America bordering Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.  Guatemala uses a North America, two flat pin, type of adapter plug that is used in Canada and Mexico.

Adapter plugs allow electrical connections up to 240 volts. An adapter plug does NOT change the current or voltage (this requires a converter) unless your appliance is dual voltage. A non-grounded adapter may NOT be used with appliances that have grounded plugs; for these you will need a grounded adapter.  If your hair dryer, curling iron, electric razor is not dual voltage you will most likely need a converter to use your electric.  For more information see Going In Style's Adapter and Converter Finder.

Many of our customers find it handy to have multiple adaptors while traveling - either to run several appliances simultaneously or simply as a backup.

Going In Style Guatemala Adapter Model GIS-GUAT-A-GUA

Why do I need a North American adapter?

Even though Guatemala uses North American sockets, the sockets are not required to be polarized. Since devices such as laptops have a polarized plug with one prong wider than the other, you will still need an adapter to use your plug in Guatemala.

Grounded Adapter Plugs

If you are traveling with a grounded United States dual/multi-voltage appliance or using a grounded Transformer you will need to use a grounded adapter plug. A grounded United States plug has two flat blades and one round pin.

Non-Grounded Adapter Plugs

Going In Style offers non-grounded adapter plugs for use with your voltage converter, transformer, or dual/multi voltage appliance. A non-grounded United States plug has two flat blades.

Be sure to check each individual appliance to see if it is dual voltage.  You can watch Going In Style's video on how to check to see if your appliance is dual voltage.

Cycles: 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz.

Guatemala operates on 120 volt electricity and is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. United States 110-120 volt electricity is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. Many foreign countries operate on 50Hz. This difference in cycles may cause the motor in your 60Hz United States appliance to operate slightly slower when used on 50Hz foreign electricity. Most modern electronic equipment including battery chargers, computers, iPods, etc., will not be affected by the difference in cycle.

If you think you will need a converter visit Going In Style's Converter and Transformer page.

Computers and Apple Products

If you are traveling overseas with a laptop or apple device such as an iPad, chances are you won’t need a voltage converter. Most laptops are multi-voltage and will operate on voltages ranging from 100 to 240 volts. However, computers do need to make safe connections to foreign power systems and a surge protector is recommended and you will still need an adapter to use your plug.

About Guatemala

Geography

Guatemala is located Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize. Its area is slightly smaller than Tennessee. Guatemala’s climate is tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands. The terrain is mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau.

Currency

The currency used is the Quetzal (GTQ). Major credit cards are accepted at most establishments. Foreign currency and travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks and at the airport.

Staying Connected

Guatemala has a fairly modern telephone network centered in the city of Guatemala. State-owned telecommunications company privatized in the late 1990s opened the way for competition; fixed-line teledensity roughly 10 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are being concentrated on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 130 per 100 persons. When traveling to Guatemala you will need to have an unlocked or international cell phone with a Bahrain SIM card to make mobile calls. You will need an adapter to charge your cell phone. Most cell phone battery rechargers should be multi-voltage, therefore will not require a converter. If the charger says 100-240 volts, 50-60 cycles then your charger in multi-voltage.

Guatemala has 346,834 internet hosts and 2.279 million internet users. Internet connection is available at internet cafes and hotels. When traveling with your laptop or iPad you will need an adapter to charge your device.