Drone Laws in Guatemala
Last update on 15.06.2023 | 19 Kommentare
It is not easy to understand what rules apply to drone pilots in Guatemala. In this article, we collect all relevant information.
In Guatemala, drones are divided into several categories:
- UAV Micro: Drones with a mass of 100 grams or less.
- UAV Pequeño: Drones weighing more than 100 grams and less than 150 kilograms.
- UAV Grande: These include, among other things, drones weighing more than 150 kilograms.
If you want to enter Guatemala with your drone, you may need to register it.
Apparently, the weight and capabilities of the copter play a role. For example, the DJI Mini 3 Pro does not need to be registered, but the DJI Mavic 3 Pro does. In the past, it was easy to find out whether your drone was subject to registration by filling out a form on the website of the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC). Unfortunately, that form doesn’t seem to exist anymore, so you should check with the DGAC to see if you need to register your drone. Please let us know in the comments what answer you get so we can collect the information for the most popular drone models here.
After successful inspection, the drone is assigned an identification number that is similar to UAV-TG-XXX. These last three digits must be visible either in the lower part of the left wing or, if the device has no fixed wing, on both visible sides. In both cases, a metal badge must be fixed to the inside or outside of the drone and should contain the following information: model, series, owner and identification.
Overview: Drone rules in Guatemala
Drone labels can be ordered here
E-mail Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil: [email protected]
Further information for drone pilots in Guatemala
The legislature in Guatemala expects you to insure your drone.
Keep a distance of 5 kilometers (3 miles) to airports.
Night flights are not allowed in Guatemala with drones unless the drone is visible through adequate lighting.
Commercial pilots need a Certificado Operativo (CO) to use drones in Guatemala.
We have researched the listed drone regulations for Guatemala to the best of our knowledge. We cannot guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in Guatemala!
Here is an article that states the drone rules in Guatemala in Spanish:
http://www.dgac.gob.gt/index.php/drones
https://www.prensalibre.com/economia/economia/bajo-incentivo-para-el-registro-de-drones
Has anyone had any troubles entering the country with a drone weighting 900 grams (mavic pro/pro 2)?
thanx for the links….
Does one need to buy a permit of some sort in order to fly your drone in Guatemala?
I entered Guatemala by land from Mex and no one checked my luggage, in fact, my passport was stamped in 2 minutes and I was sent on my way. However, entering the country by air might be different.
At which border crossing did you pass?
I entered through El Ceibo border crossing.
Did you have your own car?
no, through a tourist shuttle
ok, thanx….i drove my car through the La Mesilla border crossing and it was a small place and pretty easy crossing….i was wondering if El Ceibo would also be an easy crossing….
thanx, rani
They didn’t bother with my luggage at all. It’s a small crossing as well
I entered into Guatemala by air and they stamped my passport, looked at my customs declaration and sent me through the exit doors with no further questions. I have the mavic pro and called ahead of time to have it registered but I don’t know why they didn’t?
Hi Kaden,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We don’t know why your drone wasn’t registered. Maybe customs only checked that you declared it. But it’s a good thing you called ahead to make sure you were doing everything correctly!
Question? I need to registered my DJI mini to enter and Guatemala ? Because for some reason I been trying to see if my drones needs to register but the page doesn’t work
Hi Oscar,
the online form isn’t working for us either. Maybe you can contact the Aviation Authority to inform them of this and ask about the DJI Mini?
Where did you register ahead of time? All the links I find do not load…
Hi, I have the same problem. When I want to check of my drone need registration, I just got a blank page. I already send them an email twice, but no answer…
I went by air 3 time took with me a EVO 2 and Nano+ and even after IOtook the forms with me in case they never check my bags or ask if I had a drone I flew all over Guatemala no problems
Did you have insurance? If so, what company did you use?
All I see are the PDFs. Is this all we need when we get to the airport?