⚡ DIRECT ACCESS TO MCD
Ministry of Culture and Sports — Guatemala
Which to use?
- MCD Portal — institutional, programs, cultural calls
- Heritage — archaeological sites, filming, movable goods certificates, use-change in heritage zones
- Sports — federations, sporting events, national games
- Arts — National Theater, Conservatory, artistic grants, performance authorization
📞 Phone: +502 2253-0000 · 📍 12 Avenida 11-65 Zona 1, Historic Center, Guatemala City · 🕐 Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM · 🆔 Verified: May 2026
The MCD (Ministry of Culture and Sports) is the governing body for cultural and natural heritage, the arts, and sports in Guatemala. It’s the ministry that authorizes filming in Antigua and Tikal, certifies that your cultural pieces can leave the country, regulates theater performances in official spaces, and oversees federated sports.
Quick rule: Filming in Antigua/Tikal/Historic Center? → MCD Heritage permit (free, 15-30 days). Exporting handicrafts or art? → Movable Goods Certificate (free). Have a building in a heritage zone and want to convert it to a hotel/restaurant? → Use-change authorization. Found an archaeological piece? → Report to IDAEH (concealing it is a crime).
MCD directorates and sub-portals
| Directorate / Portal | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| mcd.gob.gt | Institutional site — programs, calls for proposals, news, cultural grants |
| General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage | Filming permits at heritage sites, archaeological authorizations, monument registry, use-change in heritage zones |
| IDAEH — Institute of Anthropology and History | Archaeological research, supervision of findings, national museums |
| Movable and Immovable Cultural Goods Registry | Certificates for export/import, collection registration |
| General Directorate of Sports and Recreation | Coordination with CDAG, sports federations, national games |
| General Directorate of the Arts | National Theater Miguel Angel Asturias, National Conservatory, theater authorization, artistic programs |
| General Directorate of Cultural Development and Strengthening of Cultures | Indigenous peoples, Mayan languages, cultural expressions |
Most-searched MCD procedures
Cultural heritage
| Procedure | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| MCD Movable Cultural Assets Certificate | Free | 15-30 days |
| Movable Goods Certificate for Export and Import | Free | 15-30 days |
| Cultural Property Use-Change Authorization | Free | 30-60 days |
Arts and events
| Procedure | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Theater Performance Authorization MCD | Free | 15-30 days |
Filming at heritage sites — what you need to know
Antigua Guatemala (UNESCO World Heritage 1979), Tikal (UNESCO 1979), Quirigua (UNESCO 1981), Iximche, Yaxha, Mixco Viejo, Zaculeu, Capital Historic Center, and all national museums require MCD authorization for professional filming.
| Type of filming | Permit required |
|---|---|
| Personal tourist (phone, handheld camera) | No permit needed |
| Professional photography (lookbook, private event) | Sometimes — check with the site |
| Commercial / advertising | MCD Heritage + possible site-use fee |
| Documentary / cinema | MCD Heritage + shooting plan + IDAEH supervisor |
| Drone over heritage site | DGAC + MCD Heritage (double permit) |
| Wedding or large session | Site authorization + sometimes MCD |
Typical timing: 15-30 days for simple productions; 60+ days for major film productions. Cost: the MCD permit is Q0; but some sites charge a space-use fee (Tikal, Antigua) that goes to CONAP or the National Council for the Protection of Antigua (CNPAG).
Active MCD programs
| Program | For whom |
|---|---|
| Becas Cultura para tu Vida (Culture for your Life Grants) | Guatemalan artists in training — financial support for artistic studies |
| National Reading Program | Reading promotion in schools and community libraries |
| Cultural Festivals | Festival of Cultures (October), International Film Festival, departmental festivals |
| National Games | Coordinated with CDAG every year (four modalities) |
| Mayan Languages in Education | Coordination with MINEDUC for bilingual intercultural teaching |
| Heritage Conservation Program | Restoration of monuments in heritage zones |
| Young Artist Festivals | Calls for emerging artists — music, dance, theater, visual arts |
Before filming or exporting — checklist
| Have it ready | Why |
|---|---|
| Detailed shooting or export plan | Days, schedules, equipment, number of people |
| No-damage guarantee | Signed commitment not to affect heritage |
| Civil liability insurance | For large productions, recommended |
| DPI or passport of producer / responsible party | Valid |
| If you are foreign: letter from your institution / agency | University, production company, travel agency |
| Photographed inventory of items to export | Each object, with dimensions and materials |
| Antique appraisal (if applies) | For pieces with significant cultural value |
| Notarized act of legal provenance | If pieces are family inheritance |
Diaspora — filmmakers, researchers and artists in the USA
For filmmakers and producers in the USA wanting to film in Guatemala
- Antigua, Tikal, Atitlan and the Historic Center are the most internationally requested locations. MCD has supported productions from Netflix, BBC, National Geographic, Disney+ and global commercials.
- Start the procedure with at least 60 days advance notice — the shooting plan goes through technical, archaeological, and administrative review.
- Local Guatemalan producer recommended — facilitates coordination with MCD, CONAP (Tikal/Yaxha), CNPAG (Antigua), municipalities.
- No MCD fee, but associated costs: site fee (Tikal Q500-3000/day), insurance, IDAEH supervisor, CNPAG fee in Antigua.
- Drones require additional permit from DGAC (civil aviation) — request 30+ days before.
For foreign academic researchers / archaeologists
- Inter-institutional agreement mandatory: your university signs with IDAEH/MCD.
- Project director: must demonstrate experience and CV in archaeology/anthropology.
- Findings stay in Guatemala: not exported; can be studied and published but ownership is the State’s.
- Annual renewal of the excavation permit.
- Direct contacts: direccion.patrimonio@mcd.gob.gt or IDAEH directly.
For Guatemalan artists living in the USA
- Cultural grants from MCD apply even if you live in the USA (as long as you are Guatemalan) — for artistic residencies, training, international performances.
- Festivals in Guatemala: if you want to present your work (music, theater, dance) at official festivals, apply via the General Directorate of the Arts with 4-6 months advance notice.
Archaeological and heritage sites under MCD/IDAEH management
| Site | Department | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Tikal | Peten | UNESCO + National Park (CONAP) |
| Quirigua | Izabal | UNESCO |
| Antigua Guatemala | Sacatepequez | UNESCO Urban Heritage |
| Yaxha | Peten | National Park (CONAP + IDAEH) |
| Iximche | Chimaltenango | National Heritage |
| Mixco Viejo | Chimaltenango | National Heritage |
| Zaculeu | Huehuetenango | National Heritage |
| Kaminaljuyu | Guatemala City | National Heritage |
| El Mirador | Peten | UNESCO process reserve |
| Capital Historic Center | Guatemala | National Heritage |
Contact MCD
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main phone | +502 2253-0000 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Address | 12 Avenida 11-65 Zona 1, Historic Center, Guatemala City |
| Cultural Heritage | Sub-portal patrimonio.mcd.gob.gt |
| IDAEH (Anthropology and History) | Via MCD portal |
| National Theater | Centro Civico, Guatemala City |
| @mcdguatemala | |
| Twitter/X | @mcdguate |
More Guatemalan State resources
- CONAP Guatemala — National Parks (Tikal, Yaxha, El Mirador) — coordination with MCD for mixed sites
- MARN Guatemala — environmental licenses for large productions in protected areas
- MINGOB Guatemala — work visas for foreign crew
- SAT Guatemala — customs for importing/exporting filming equipment
- IGM Guatemala — visas for international crew
- Antigua Guatemala — local guide to the country’s most-filmed heritage city
- Guatemala Tramites — full directory of state procedures