Official portal: conap.gob.gt/sigap
Headquarters: 5a Avenida 6-06, Zona 1, Guatemala City
Phone: 2422-6700 | Cost: Q1,500-Q5,000 annual | Time: 60-90 days
The commercial tourism SIGAP permit from the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) is the mandatory authorization every tour operator, travel agency or independent guide needs to sell, organize or run paid tours inside the Guatemalan Protected Areas System — 320+ areas covering 32% of the country, including Tikal, Atitlan, Pacaya, Sierra de las Minas, Semuc Champey, Lachua, Rio Dulce and more. Operating commercially without this permit is an environmental offense punished with fines, closure and criminal prosecution.
Quick summary: B2B CONAP permit for tour operators in SIGAP. Cost: Q1,500-Q5,000 annually. Time: 60-90 business days. In-person filing. Requires valid INGUAT certification, tourism management plan, insurance and company NIT. Validity: 1 year renewable.
Information verified May 2026 based on the Protected Areas Law (Decreto 4-89), CONAP regulations and INGUAT standards.
What is the SIGAP Commercial Tourism Permit
It is the permit CONAP grants to legal or natural persons to operate commercially within the Guatemalan Protected Areas System. Covers activities such as:
- Guided tours (hikes, ascents, bird watching, archaeology, photography)
- Lodging (eco-lodges, refuges within or adjacent to SIGAP)
- Tourist transport within areas
- Adventure (kayak, rappel, climbing, cycling in authorized zones)
- Tourist events (weddings, retreats, commercial photo sessions)
- Tourism market research within areas
Without this permit, your agency or guide CANNOT sell or operate within protected areas, even if you have INGUAT certification.
Most In-Demand SIGAP Areas for Commercial Tourism
| Protected area | Category | Approximate annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tikal National Park | I | Q3,500-Q5,000 |
| Lake Atitlan Multiple-Use Reserve | III | Q2,500-Q4,000 |
| Pacaya Volcano | I | Q1,500-Q2,500 |
| Sierra de las Minas (Biosphere Reserve) | I | Q3,000-Q4,500 |
| Semuc Champey | III | Q2,000-Q3,000 |
| Lachua National Park | I | Q1,500-Q2,500 |
| Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge | III | Q1,500-Q2,500 |
| Santa Maria Volcano (Quetzaltenango) | I | Q1,500-Q2,000 |
| Maya Biosphere Reserve (Yaxha, Uaxactun) | I | Q3,500-Q5,000 |
| Acatenango / Fuego Volcano | I | Q2,000-Q3,500 |
Permit Requirements
Business Documents
- Valid commerce patent of the company
- Company patent from the Mercantile Registry
- NIT of the company — get NIT
- Valid SAT tax solvency
- Articles of incorporation and current legal representation
- Tax address and operations address
- Valid INGUAT card of operator or agency (prior certification mandatory)
- Employer IGSS proof
- CIIU registration corresponding to tourism sector
Tourism Operation Plan Documents
- Tourism management plan specific to each area where you will operate, including:
- Activity types
- Maximum group capacity (group size, frequency)
- Routes and trails to use
- Equipment and vehicles
- Personnel (guides, drivers, assistants)
- Environmental impact mitigation
- Emergency plan
- Active insurance:
- Liability minimum Q500,000
- Personal accidents for clients
- Tourist vehicles with full coverage
- Guide CVs with INGUAT and CONAP certification (if applicable for archaeological sites)
- Coordination letter with the protected area administration (national parks have local administrations)
Personnel Documents
- Criminal records of partners and main guides — get criminal record
- Police records valid
- Valid DPI of partners and legal representative — get DPI
- Specialized certifications by tour type:
- Bird guides (recommended CECON or BirdLife course)
- Mountain / volcano guides (Fire Department / associations)
- Archaeological guides (IDAEH)
- Diving guides (international PADI / SSI / NAUI)
- Kayak / rafting guides (CONAP water safety course)
Environmental Impact Study (If Applicable)
For large operations (eco-lodges, mass tours in strict areas), a MARN Environmental Impact Study is required first. See MARN hub for environmental procedures.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1 — Obtain INGUAT certification
If you do not yet have a registry as a travel agency or tour operator, first certify with INGUAT. Without this certification, CONAP does not process your application. INGUAT time: 30-60 days.
Step 2 — Define areas and activities
Clearly specify which protected areas you will operate (Tikal, Atitlan, Pacaya, etc.) and what type of tours. CONAP grants permits specifically by area — it is not a general SIGAP permit.
Step 3 — Develop tourism management plan
For each area you operate, prepare a detailed plan:
- Operation type
- Maximum group capacity
- Frequency (daily, weekly)
- Trails, routes, sites to visit
- Personnel involved
- Equipment and transport
- Emergency plan
- Environmental mitigation
CONAP has a suggested format downloadable from the portal.
Step 4 — Gather business and personnel documents
Collect commerce patent, NIT, INGUAT, IGSS, records, DPI, insurance, certifications.
Step 5 — Pay fee
Make deposit at Banrural to CONAP account by area:
- Category I areas (Tikal, Sierra Minas): Q3,000-Q5,000
- Category III areas (Atitlan, Semuc): Q2,000-Q4,000
- Smaller areas: Q1,500-Q2,500
Keep the receipt.
Step 6 — File expediente
Deliver at CONAP headquarters (5a Avenida 6-06 zona 1) or at the regional office covering the operation area. You receive a file number and intake receipt.
Step 7 — Technical evaluation
CONAP analyzes the expediente, verifies insurance, certifications and management plan. They may request inspection of offices, vehicles, or pre-approve pilot tours. Time: 30-60 days.
Step 8 — Resolution and license issuance
If everything is correct, CONAP issues an authorization resolution specifying:
- Authorized areas
- Allowed activities
- Maximum capacity
- Validity (1 year)
- Obligations (reports, insurance, certifications)
You receive a physical license to display in operations.
Step 9 — Coordination with local administrations
Before starting operations, you must present yourself to the administration of each protected area (park managers) with a copy of the resolution. Coordinate logistics, reservation system, escorts if applicable, entry registry.
Step 10 — Annual reports
During validity you must deliver to CONAP:
- Semi-annual visitation report
- Incident report
- Annual renewal with updated data
- Additional canon payment for intensive use (if applicable)
Cost and Time
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee small area | Q1,500-Q2,500 |
| Annual fee medium area | Q2,500-Q4,000 |
| Annual fee large area/Tikal | Q3,500-Q5,000 |
| INGUAT certification (parallel) | Q500-Q2,000 |
| Liability insurance | Q3,000-Q15,000 annual |
| Criminal records (per person) | Q50 |
| Authorized guide CONAP course | Q500-Q2,000 |
| Gestor fees (optional) | Q5,000-Q15,000 |
| Total time | 60-90 business days |
Common Mistakes That Stop the Process
- Skipping INGUAT: without active INGUAT certification, CONAP rejects the application even if everything else is fine. Always start with INGUAT.
- Generic management plan: “we will run tours in SIGAP” doesn’’t work. Must be specific by area with defined capacity, routes and schedules.
- Insufficient insurance: many operators submit low liability policies (Q100K). CONAP requires minimum Q500,000 and more for high-risk areas (active volcanoes).
- Requesting areas you won’’t operate: some operators request 10 areas thinking “just in case.” Request only those you will really operate — each area requires a specific plan and adds to the fee.
B2B: Tour Operators Operating Multiple Areas
If your company operates multiple destinations (Tikal + Atitlan + Pacaya, for example), you must:
- Single application with multiple areas specified
- Separate management plan for each area
- Cumulative fee (no discount for multiple area)
- Administrative coordination with each protected area
- Consolidated semi-annual reports
Advantage: a single interaction with CONAP instead of multiple. Disadvantage: if one area rejects the plan, it delays the whole expediente.
Coordination with Other Institutions
Your CONAP permit must coordinate with:
- INGUAT: mandatory prior certification
- IDAEH: archaeological sites (Tikal, Yaxha, Iximche, Mixco Viejo)
- MARN: environmental impact studies for large operations — see MARN hub
- SAT: tax declaration of tourism operation
- MICUDE: protected cultural sites
- Municipalities: some require additional license to operate in their jurisdiction
- PNC Tourism (POLITUR): coordination for tourist security
Penalties for Operating Without SIGAP Permit
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Operating commercial tour without CONAP permit | Fine Q5,000-Q50,000 + immediate closure |
| Operating more groups than authorized capacity | Fine Q2,000-Q15,000 + 30-60 day suspension |
| Guide operating without CONAP certification | Fine Q1,000-Q5,000 + area removal |
| Failure to report incidents | Fine Q1,000-Q5,000 + license review |
| Expired insurance during operation | Fine Q5,000-Q15,000 + suspension until renewed |
| Operation in unauthorized area | Fine Q5,000-Q25,000 + possible criminal prosecution |
| Recidivism | Definitive cancellation + criminal prosecution for environmental offense |
Related Procedures
- CONAP — Procedures hub — all CONAP services
- Tikal National Park Access — fees for your clients
- Sport Hunting Permit CONAP — if you operate hunting tours
- Scientific Research Permit CONAP — if you operate academic/scientific tours
- MARN — Environmental Hub — for EIA if your operation is high impact
- SAT — Get Guatemala NIT — business requirement
- Criminal Record (PNC) — partners and guides requirement
- Get Guatemala DPI — for Guatemalan partners
Official Links
- CONAP — Official site
- CONAP — SIGAP
- INGUAT — Tourism certification
- Government services catalog
- Protected Areas Law (Decreto 4-89)
- IDAEH — Cultural Heritage
- MARN — Sigeia
Operating commercial tourism inside SIGAP is a profitable but highly regulated business. Serious operators that comply with CONAP, INGUAT and insurance build lasting reputation. Those who skip permits face surprise closures in peak season and criminal prosecution for environmental offenses.