Hospitals and Emergency Rooms in Guatemala City

Guatemala City has the country’s best medical infrastructure, with a mix of modern private hospitals and large public institutions. For travelers and expats, the US Embassy recommends Hospital Centro Medico in Zona 10 as the top choice.

Private vs Public Hospitals

Private hospitals (Centro Medico, Herrera Llerandi, La Paz) offer shorter wait times, newer equipment, and English-speaking doctors, but require payment upfront or insurance. Costs for an emergency visit range from Q500-Q2,000 ($65-260 USD).

Public hospitals (San Juan de Dios, Roosevelt) are free for everyone including foreigners, but expect long wait times (2-6 hours for non-life-threatening cases) and crowded conditions. They handle the most serious trauma and emergency cases in the country.

When to Go Where

  • Life-threatening emergency: Call 125 (Red Cross ambulance) or go to the nearest hospital
  • Non-emergency but urgent: Hospital Centro Medico (Zona 10) or La Paz (Zona 14)
  • Budget-conscious: Hospital Roosevelt or San Juan de Dios (free, longer waits)
  • Pediatric emergency: Hospital Roosevelt has the largest pediatric department