Visit Our Law Firm In Guatemala

Introduction – Many of our clients decide to come to Guatemala and visit us. Some clients visit at the onset of their professional relationship with us and some come later on after the relationship has already been formed.

What we are going to do is explain to you the best way to arrange your visit, how long to stay (we need you for 2 working days), what can be accomplished and what you can do recreationally when visiting Guatemala.

Banking – We can process your account for International Trust Account banking in any of the countries we work with from our offices in Guatemala. The bank can be in Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala or Ecuador. We can negotiate and execute the International Trust Agreement while you are here in our offices. You will have wiring instructions enabling you to be receiving funds before you leave our offices.

Account Opening Documentation – When coming all you need to do is bring is your Passport and driver license. That is it. No bank reference letters.

Airlines – From Spain Iberia comes direct to Guatemala. From North America we suggest Taca, Copa or Spirit.

Our Suggested Hotels – These are as follows: Intercontinental, Westin Camino Real and Clarion Suites. These are all in Guatemala City, Guatemala. They are located in Zona Viva, also called Zone 10.

Airport Pickup – The Intercontinental and Westin hotels will arrange an airport shuttle bus to meet you at the airport and bring you to the hotel. Taxis not suggested. Once you are at the hotel a member of our law firm will pick you up at the hotel and take you to our offices and return you to the hotel.

Clubs – You will be in the heart of the club district surrounded by numerous clubs.

Restaurants – The food in Guatemala is great. There will be many excellent restaurants within a five-minute walk from your hotel.

Gambling Casinos – No shortage in Guatemala. There is nothing here like a big strip hotel in Las Vegas. The biggest and best casinos are like the better downtown Las Vegas casinos. They offer a full line of gambling but I never saw Chemin de Fer played in Guatemala. Some of the hotels have a casino. No bull fights. No Jai Lai.

Shopping – We have 16 malls. Get whatever you want in Guatemala City.

Medical Tourism in Guatemala – How does $350.00 for a porcelain crown sound? Interested in acupuncture or homeopathy treatments when here? A one–hour massage (therapeutic only) at your hotel for $40.00. How about a treatment with an ultra sound machine that breaks up fat cells and they dissolve away never to return for like $400 or so. No anesthesia, you can talk on your cell phone during the treatment and jump off the table and run around immediately. It works and losses can be in the inches from one treatment. This may entice a family member to come.

Plastic Surgery is about 40% to 50% of the US prices and many have US boards or training. We can assist you with a referral, just ask. Pharmacies in Guatemala do not require a prescription for most drugs. Heavy painkillers are prescription, things like codeine no prescription. Antibiotics, and medical drugs are no prescription.

VIP Movie Theater – Imagine a theater only seating 60 or 70 people with serious stadium seating. Imagine upholstered chairs that recline fully yet you can still see the screen. There are footrests that come up so you are in full recline better than any first class airline seat. There are also waiters. You can have beer, hard drinks, popcorn, burgers, ribs, sushi etc all while you watch the movie. Cost of a ticket is $6.00 and the seats are reserved. Movies are in English with Spanish subtitles. VIP movies can be addicting. Two different theaters offer VIP seating with reserved seats in Guatemala City, both are in malls. We also have 3D movies and Imax large screen theaters.

Beaches – We have beaches on the Atlantic and Pacific. We have white sand beaches, tan sand beaches and black sand beaches (sparkles from the sun). You can drive into El Salvador (2.5 hours) and experience their beaches as well.

Deep Sea Fishing – We have it on both oceans.

Rain Forests – No shortage here.

Mayan Ruins – Numerous ruins to visit.

Lake Atitlan – It is a volcanic lake surrounded by volcanic mountains. Some will be blowing steam from time to time. You can hike up the volcanoes. Very beautiful.

Antigua – The old capital of Guatemala. Imagine cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages, 3 wheel scooters with a canvas cabin called Tuk Tuks, and a lot of motor scooters. Buildings are often several hundred years old, numerous ruins. Quite scenic. Many restaurants, clubs and shops. An artist community with lots of handcrafts being sold. Guatemala is the worlds second largest producer of jade so do not forget to visit the jade museum with their extensive shops. Antigua is a big tourist attraction.

Weather – We are the land of perpetual springtime. It is 55 to 75 degrees all year round. When it rains (rainy season is roughly June to October) it rains for an hour or two a day.

Clothing – Bring a light jacket or sweater for the early mornings and evenings.

Tips – For businessmen should wear long pants, a shirt with a collar (three button kind is fine) and closed shoes. Women should try to wear conservative outfits. We suggest leaving expensive jewelry home. This is a country where the average wage is $200 a month. A $15,000 watch will tempt people who ordinarily might be honest. We have had clients show up with $150,000 watches and expensive rings etc and nothing ever happened but it is not wise to make a temptation in a poor country.

Water – Do not drink the water. It is not as bad as Mexico but stay with bottled water. All the restaurants you will be likely to eat in offer drinkable water and the ice also will be safe.

Food – You will not get sick from the food if you stay with the better restaurants. Avoid little sidewalk food sellers. The steaks here are excellent.

Cash – You can bring in $9,999 per person cash without any declarations. More can be brought but then has to be declared to avoid risk of confiscation. We would need to arrange airport pickup with security if you are declaring excess cash at airport to avoid any problems.

ATM Machines – Your Visa, MasterCard will work here. You will get the local currency.

Credit Cards – The restaurants, hotels and shops do accept credit cards commonly.

Taxis – The hotels have their own taxis or known taxis. Best to use them.

Questions – Feel free to ask.