A Travel Advisory: If you are going to be travelling to Guatemala in the near future FYI: non-essential travel south of the capital Guatemala City, in the departments of Escuintia, Suchitepequez and Santa Rosa, which are adjacent to the Pacific coast. Flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains in the last few days have led to several casualities and created serious insecurity in these departments. Several thousands of inhabitants were isolated as of October 25th, 2006. A portion of the Pacific Highway near the border with El Salvador in Santa Rosa has collapsed. There have been serious landslides on the main hightway (CA-1) from Guatemala City to the Mexican border, as well as in Escuintia, Panajachel, Solola, Los Encuentros, Santiago and Atitlan.

Transportation, electricity, communications and other essential services may be delayed or unavailable at the moment, especially since some areas are still recovering from the structural damage caused by Hurrican Stan earlier in October 2006. Epidemics also pose hazards in this zone due to the presence of stagnant waters.

With more rainfall forecasted, the situation could get worse in the next days and/or weeks. For current information on this area or others check-out www.voyage.gc.ca and go to Current Issues page.

FYI!!! REMEMBER WHEN PACKING...
Transport Canada has made changes to current restricitons on carry-on baggage. Guests will be permitted to bring liquids, gels & aerosols through secruity screening at Canadian airports provided that the items are packaged in containers with a capacity of 90ml/90grams/3 oz. or less. The containers must fit comfortably in one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag (such as a Ziploc) with a capacity of no more than 1 litre (7" X 8" or 6" X 9"). One bag per guest will be permitted.
Liquids, gels and aerosols can be placed in checked baggage but will be at the guests' own risk. Cigarette lighters are notpermitted in either checked or carry-on baggage. Any of the above mentioned items will be confiscated at pre-board security screening.
All of these restrictions are subject to change. For updated information on these or other Government of Canada security requirements please visit; www.tc.gc.ca or www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca or phone 1.888.294.2202