GUATEMALA

• Location: Central America, bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador; coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
  
• Area: 108,889 sq km (about the size of Tennessee)
  
• Population: 18 million (2023 est.)
  
• Capital: Guatemala City
  
• Language: Spanish (official, 70%), plus 20+ Maya languages
  
• Religion: Roman Catholic 42%, Evangelical 39%, other/no religion 19%
  
• Climate: Tropical; hot and humid in lowlands, cooler in the highlands
  
• Terrain: Rainforests, volcanoes, mountains, lakes, and coastal plains
  
• Currency: Quetzal (GTQ)
  
• Time Zone: UTC-6 (same as U.S. Central Standard Time)
  

History & Background

• Maya Civilization: Guatemala was once the heart of the powerful Maya Empire. Ancient ruins like Tikal bear witness to this rich history.
  
• Colonial Era: Became a Spanish colony in the 1500s.
  
• Independence: Gained independence from Spain in 1821.
  
• Modern Guatemala: Despite natural beauty and cultural richness, the nation struggles with poverty, inequality, and limited infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
  

People & Culture

• Ethnic Composition: Mestizo (56%), Maya (42%), Xinca, Garifuna, and others. Guatemala is home to one of the largest indigenous populations in the Western Hemisphere.
  
• Languages: While Spanish is the official language, nearly a third of Guatemalans speak an indigenous language, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the Americas.
  
• Culture & Values: Family, honor, education, and hospitality are deeply valued. Guatemalans are gracious, resilient, and joyful—quick to laugh and quick to welcome others.
  
• Cuisine: Traditional dishes include Pepián (a rich stew) and Pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas). Coffee, chocolate, and fresh tropical fruits are staples.
  

Natural Wonders

• Volcanoes: 33 volcanoes, including 3 active ones (Pacaya, Fuego, Santiaguito).
  
• Lakes: Lake Atitlán, the deepest in Central America (340 meters).
  
• Rainforests: Home to jaguars, monkeys, hundreds of bird species, and ancient Mayan ruins.
  
• Ruins of Tikal: Once a mighty Mayan city, with hundreds of temples and pyramids (took 800 years to build). Excavations began in 1956 and continue today.  Thirst Missions teams have the opportunity to spend a day at Tikal!
  
• Flores Island: A picturesque town on Lake Petén Itzá, where you can walk the entire island in 30 minutes, and visit local shops in a quaint, vibrant setting.  Flores is also a part of the recreation day with Thirst Missions.
  

Economy & Challenges

• Economy: Driven by agriculture (coffee, sugar, bananas, maize), textiles, petroleum, and tourism.
  
• GDP per capita: $9,200 (PPP, 2022).
  
• Exports: Textiles, coffee, bananas, palm oil, sugar.
  
• Challenges:
  
  • High poverty rate: Over 50% of Guatemalans live below the poverty line.
    
  • Inequality: Large gap between wealthy urban populations and poor rural/indigenous communities.
    
  • Migration: Lack of jobs and infrastructure drive emigration; remittances from abroad fuel growth.
    
  • Natural Disasters: Prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
    

Travel Overview for Teams

• Dates: Available year-round (Jan–Dec 2026). Minimum 6 days, including travel. Flexible arrival/departure.  Most teams serve in villages and towns in Northern Guatemala, where the need is the greatest and church partners are hungry for teams to serve alongside them.
  
• Language: Spanish-speaking country (some English in urban/tourist areas).
  
• Passports: Required for all participants.
  
• Health: CDC recommends vaccines including Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and routine immunizations. Bottled water is strongly recommended and provided by Thirst Missions
  
• Electricity: 120V, same plug type as U.S. (A, B).
  
• Emergency Numbers: Ambulance/Fire: 123, Police: 110.
  
• Tourist Highlights (if schedule allows): Flores, Tikal ruins, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango Market.
  

Guatemala by the Numbers

• 18 million – Population of Guatemala
  
• 600,000 – Population of Petén region, where Thirst Missions is serving
  
• 33 – Volcanoes (3 active)
  
• 600 – Species of birds
  
• 250 – Types of mammals
  
• 1821 – Independence from Spain
• Dozens – Local churches waiting to partner with mission teams

1. What are the maximum and minimum group sizes?

Our private trips can accommodate groups as small as 4 people and as large as 50+. Reduced pricing applies for groups larger than 10 people.

2. What are the mission trip prices?

Our trip details are available on our registration page.

3. Tell me more about the church partnerships in Guatemala

Each group traveling to Guatemala with Thirst Missions will be partnered with a local church. We believe the local church is God’s biblical design and want each team to be an encouragement to the church partner. Our church partners are small but healthy churches doing God’s work in difficult conditions.

4. Is Guatemala safe?

Yes! We have staff members guiding the trip and are experts when it comes to local knowledge and ministry leadership. Safety is our #1 priority on all trips, and it’s not just lip service, we practice what we preach.

5. What denominations do you work with?

Every year we work with a wide variety of denominations from teams in the US and Canada and our base of church partners in Guatemala is varied as well. We strive to match the team with an appropriate church partner. All churches are vetted ahead of time and sign a statement of faith. Please see our Statement of Faith for more details.

6. What is the trip length?

Our trips are a minimum of six days/five nights, but you are able to add additional days to your trip for an added cost. Travel days are included in the total number of trip days.

7. What travel documents do I need?

If you’re traveling from the United States to Guatemala you will need a valid passport.

8. Is airfare included in the trip cost?

9. Can I make contact with my loved ones while on my trip?

The ministry and relationships built when putting our personal devices down is eye-opening. Our philosophy is no news is good news. We encourage each group leader to post trip updates and send pictures back home on behalf of each group. In addition we post pictures every day from every trip on our Facebook page at facebook.com/thirstmissions. In the case of emergencies we have open and direct lines of immediate communication on every trip.

10. I have special dietary needs. Can these be met?

There is a section on the Individual Registration form each person fills out prior to the trip in which these needs can be listed. We read these over thoroughly and pass them along to our cooks. The food on our trips is plentiful and amazing!

We do our very best to accommodate all diets and diet restrictions, but please realize we are in a different culture without all the options we have back home. Feel free to bring supplemental food options with you if this will ease the anxiety of not knowing if there will be food which fit your tastes or diet.

11. Is the $499 registration fee deducted from my final payment?

No, it’s used right away to offset a small portion of planning and preparing for your group’s trip. Please read through our generous payment policy and cancellation agreement.

12. How do I select the ministries we desire?

Each group leader will have a missions consultant from Thirst Missions assigned who will go through ministry opportunities in detail. All group leaders have scheduled conference calls to discuss the trip and are welcome to contact their trip consultants about any other questions that arise.

13. What about on-ground transportation?

On-the-ground transportation is included in the price of the mission trip.  Our Staff will pick you up from the airport after your arrival, transport you throughout the duration of your mission trip, and bring you back to the airport for your departure.

14. Are any ministry materials provided?

Ministry materials are up to the teams to provide. Examples would be curriculum for VBS, sports equipment for sports outreach, and so on. Guatemalan churches will have some resources that the group can use on a case-by-case basis. Most ministries require little in the way of materials. You can ask your missions consultant about suggestions for materials and ministry plans.

15. Are there any additional costs?

Besides your trip cost, the only things you’ll need money for are souvenirs, church offerings, extra snacks, and money for meals at the airport.

16. How do we pay for recreation?

Payment and reservations for upgraded recreation are made by your team before your time in Guatemala. Please work with your Thirst Missions Consultant or Trip leader to confirm your specific reservation.

17. Can you tell us about the food provided?

3 meals/day plus water, ice and snacks provided.  Breakfast would be served at the lodging location..  Lunch at our ministry sites.  Supper would be prepared by local cooks from the churches we partner with or restaurants in the area.

18. Can I stay in contact with people once I return home?

Yes! You can use Facebook and Instagram or email, call, or text just like you do with your friends back home. Staying in touch with new friends in Guatemala is such a blessing and benefit to going and serving.

19. What are some outreach ministry ideas?

Movie nights, worship celebrations, community meals, or sports tournaments are good outreaches. If you have good outreach ideas we are certainly happy to help you make them a reality! Check out our blog for more outreach ideas.

20. Are construction funds included in the cost of the trip?

Construction Project Funds are not included in your mission trip cost.  Your mission consultant will give you some needed project options with costs if you are interested in doing larger projects with your team.  If it is a larger project you are welcome to donate extra funds to go towards needed supplies and materials that can be purchased prior to your arrival and onsite when you arrive.