The following questions and answers contain information that we have learned about living in Guatemala. We hope this is useful to other missionaries looking for help! If you have any comments or updates to this information, please email us at mcm@ieee.org.
How do you get rid of fleas?
Sprinkle table salt on all area rugs or carpets and under couch cushions. If you live in a humid area, wipe rugs with a towel a little while after salting to absorb liquid from the dissolved salt (so your tile floors don't get too slippery.) Also sprinkle flea powder (found in animal supply stores) on animals and their bedding if possible.
How do you get rid of bed bugs?
First, check for tiny brown dots (dried blood) on your sheets to verify that you have bed bugs. If so, sprinkle a continuous line of flea powder (found in animal supply stores) around the edge of the room by the bed. I suggest spooning a thin line then spreading it with the spoon so there are no gaps in the powder. Bed bugs live in crevices in the walls and furniture, so this powder will kill them as they crawl home. Sweep and reapply if the bed bugs return, which may happen about once a month for a while.
How do you renew your visa by traveling to Mexico?
We prefer to cross into Mexico from the small Guatemalan town of La Mesilla, traveling north on Highway CA-1. The temperature is always hot at the border, but if you continue to Comitán, it cools off nicely. If you are staying in the border region (i.e., not going beyond Comitán), you do not have to get a permit for your car, but you might want to have your title with you. You are legally required to have liability insurance when driving in Mexico. We buy full-coverage insurance for each trip at www.mexinsure.com.
Entering Mexico from La Mesilla
1. When you reach the border, first you will drive under a crossing-gate with yellow stripes. Sometimes it is open; sometimes a man will open it for you.
2. Drive a few yards to the second building on the left, called Migraciones, a white building with blue trim, and park in front. Everyone must go inside to get their passport stamped to LEAVE GUATEMALA (SALIR). Check the stamp before leaving.
3. If you don't have pesos, exchange money with one of the men standing around with a fanny-pack.
4. Drive forward a few yards to the next small building on the right, stopping where they have the roadblock, so they can spray your tires with insecticide. You will have to go inside and pay 65 pesos.
5. Drive a couple of miles into Mexico, to a building on the right called Migraciones. There is parking in front. Everyone must go inside to get their passport stamped to ENTER MEXICO (ENTRAR). You must fill out a form for each person. They will give you back the small part of the form to KEEP in your passport. This will be used for exiting later. Check the stamp before leaving.
6. Drive north a couple of miles to a military checkpoint. They will ask you a few questions about where you are coming from (Guatemala) and where you are going (Comitán). Just answer the questions. They might want to look inside your car.
7. Drive north about 1.5 hours to Comitán and stay for 3 nights. We have stayed in various nice hotels. Two that are easy to find on the main road are: Villalba Suites (on the left across from Walmart) and Laureles Hotel (also on the left: do a U-turn after a couple of traffic lights). Email us for more suggestions. Gas is cheaper in Mexico, in case you want to fill up your tank.
Returning to La Mesilla in Guatemala
8. Basically, reverse the previous process. On the way south, they have never stopped us at the military checkpoint. Drive back to the same Migraciones building in Mexico. Everyone must go inside with the little form in their passport to get their passport stamped to LEAVE MEXICO. Check the stamp before leaving.
9. Drive a couple of miles to the roadblock at the border where they will spray your tires with insecticide. You will have to go inside the small building on the right and pay 18 quetzales. (Note: If it is market day, they will try to redirect you to a road to the left through the market before you get to the border. Ask them if you can just go straight, but if not, turn left and follow the road until it comes to a T, turn right, then left, and you will be back on the main road heading south toward the insecticide station.)
10. Drive a few yards to the Migraciones building on the right, and park in front. Everyone must go inside and get their passport stamped to ENTER GUATEMALA. Check the stamp before leaving.
11. Drive under the crossing-gate. (Note: If it is market day, in a few blocks they will send you on a detour to the right, down a narrow, steep road between two buildings. Follow the road, turning to the left at one point, then climbing the hill until you merge onto the main road again.)
12. Enjoy another 90 days in Guatemala!