# Updated Guatemala Travel Advisory: What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know This March
Planning a trip to Guatemala from Ottawa this spring? Before you finalize your itinerary, there’s important information you need to review. The Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for Guatemala on March 24, 2026, maintaining a **Level 2 risk rating — Exercise a High Degree of Caution** — with specific regions requiring even greater vigilance.
The advisory continues to highlight serious concerns for Canadian travellers, particularly related to violent crime in certain areas. While Guatemala remains accessible for tourism, Ottawa travellers should understand both where the risks are concentrated and how to prepare properly before departure.
## What’s Changed in This Update
The most significant addition to the advisory involves health risks. Canadian officials have added information about cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted through sandfly bites. This addition reflects ongoing health surveillance and reminds travellers that Guatemala presents both security and medical considerations that require advance planning.
## Understanding the Regional Risk Landscape
The advisory identifies specific high-risk zones where Canadians should avoid non-essential travel. These include several zones within Guatemala City (particularly Zones 1, 3, 5-7, 18, and 21), certain municipalities in Guatemala and Escuintla departments, and various border crossing points. High levels of violent crime drive these regional warnings.
Beyond these hotspots, a state of prevention remains active across multiple departments, giving security forces expanded authority to limit gatherings, establish checkpoints, and restrict movements. Ottawa residents accustomed to predictable travel conditions should anticipate potential disruptions throughout the country.
## Health Risks Require Medical Preparation
The newly emphasized leishmaniasis risk joins other endemic health concerns in Guatemala, including mosquito-borne illnesses and altitude-related conditions in highland areas. These aren’t abstract warnings—they’re real risks that proper medical preparation can help mitigate.
A pre-travel health consultation becomes essential, not optional. Discussing your specific itinerary with a travel health professional allows for personalized vaccine recommendations, prescription medications for prevention and treatment, and guidance on assembling an appropriate medical kit. For Ottawa travellers, accessing this expertise before departure provides both protection and peace of mind.
## Preparing Beyond the Health Consultation
Combine your medical preparation with practical safety measures. Register with the Canadian government’s travel registration service, secure comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, avoid the specifically identified high-risk zones, and stay informed about local conditions through reliable sources.
Understanding local laws, keeping emergency contacts accessible, and maintaining awareness of your surroundings aren’t just recommendations—they’re fundamental practices for travelling safely in Guatemala’s current environment.
Guatemala offers remarkable experiences, from Mayan archaeological sites to volcanic landscapes. With thorough preparation addressing both health and security considerations, you can travel more safely and confidently.
Travelling to Guatemala? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.