Sport Hunting Permit CONAP Guatemala 2026: Species, Seasons, Cost

The sport hunting permit from the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) is the legal authorization that lets Guatemalan and foreign hunters practice recreational hunting of authorized species inside set seasons and approved zones. Without this permit, hunting is an environmental crime with sanctions ranging from firearm seizure to prison.

Quick summary: Annual CONAP permit for sport hunting. Cost: Q150-Q500 by species + fee. Time: 30 business days. In-person filing at regional offices. Requires DPI/passport, criminal record, hunting plan, valid DIGECAM license if using a firearm. Validity: 1 year.

Information verified May 2026 based on the Protected Areas Law (Decreto 4-89), the CITES Convention and CONAP annual resolutions.

What is the CONAP Sport Hunting Permit

It is the license CONAP issues under the Protected Areas Law so individuals can hunt for sport — non-commercial purposes — within Guatemalan territory. Three modalities exist:

• National sport: for Guatemalan amateur hunters, standard quotas
• Tourist sport: for visiting foreigners, higher fee
• Subsistence: for rural communities, reduced quotas

Each modality has different fees, quotas and requirements. This article covers the sport modality (national and tourist).

Legal Species by Season (2026 Resolution)

PROHIBITED Species All Year (Hunting is a Criminal Offense)

• Quetzal (national bird, patriotic symbol, CITES Appendix I)
• Jaguar and puma (protected felines)
• Tapir (danta)
• Spider and howler monkeys (protected primates)
• Manatee (aquatic mammal)
• All CITES Appendix I species (~60 Guatemalan species)
• Birds of prey (harpy eagle, peregrine falcon)

Hunting these species carries 5-10 years in prison and Q50,000-Q500,000 fines under the Penal Code and the Protected Areas Law.

Requirements for the Sport Hunting Permit

For Guatemalan Hunters (National Modality)

1. Formal application addressed to the CONAP Regional Director
2. Valid DPI (copy and original)
3. Criminal record valid (less than 6 months old) — get criminal record
4. Police record valid
5. Simple hunting plan stating species, zones and desired season
6. Valid DIGECAM license if hunting with a firearm — first firearm license
7. Payment receipt of CONAP fee (Banrural deposit)
8. Two ID-size photos
9. NIT (Tax ID Number) — get NIT
10. Medical certificate (over 60 years old)

For Foreign Hunters (Tourist Modality)

1. Valid passport with visa or valid tourist entry
2. Invitation letter from registered Guatemalan hunter or tour operator with SIGAP permit
3. Lodging proof and return tickets
4. Temporary firearm import permit from DIGECAM (if bringing own gun) — individual firearm import license
5. Liability insurance certificate
6. Payment receipt of tourist fee (Q600-Q1,500)
7. Hunter aptitude proof or hunter certification from country of origin (recommended)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — Verify season and species

Check the annual hunting season resolution published by CONAP every August-September. The resolution defines which species can be hunted, in which months, in which zones, and with what quotas. Without an active resolution for your species, the application cannot proceed.

Step 2 — Pay the fee at Banrural

Make the deposit in the CONAP institutional account at Banrural. Amount depends on species and modality:

• National small game: Q150-Q250
• National big game: Q300-Q500
• Foreign tourist modality: Q600-Q1,500

Keep the original receipt.

Step 3 — Gather requirements and assemble file

Collect DPI/passport, records, hunting plan, photos, payment receipt, and DIGECAM license (if applicable). Foreigners: passport, invitation letter, and temporary firearm permit.

Step 4 — File application at CONAP regional office

Visit the regional office covering the area where you plan to hunt:

• Headquarters: 5a Avenida 6-06 zona 1, Guatemala City
• Peten: Flores office
• Izabal: Puerto Barrios
• Las Verapaces: Coban
• Costa Sur: Escuintla
• Western: Quetzaltenango

You receive a file number and intake receipt.

Step 5 — Firearm inspection (if applicable)

If hunting with a firearm, CONAP coordinates with DIGECAM for an inspection to verify caliber and condition. Some calibers are prohibited for certain species.

Step 6 — CONAP resolution

CONAP analyzes the file, verifies records and quota availability. Time: 30 business days. If everything is correct, an approval resolution is issued.

Step 7 — Pick up permit and tag booklet

Collect personally with DPI/passport. You receive:

• Physical license valid for 1 year
• Game-Control Tag booklet (fill one tag per harvested piece)
• Sealed ID with photo and signature

Cost and Time

Common Mistakes That Stop the Process

1. Applying outside season: CONAP rejects applications for species whose season is closed or not yet open. Verify the annual resolution BEFORE starting.
2. Forgetting the DIGECAM license: without a valid firearm license, the firearm-hunting permit is not approved even if the CONAP file is complete.
3. Vague hunting plan: “I will hunt in Peten” is not enough. Must specify municipality, ranch or area, species, and approximate month.
4. Expired records: criminal and police records must be less than 6 months old at filing time. Renew if close to expiring.

Diaspora and US Visitors: Tourist Hunting in Guatemala

Guatemala welcomes sport hunters from the USA, Mexico and Europe each season. The tourist modality lets foreigners hunt legally with an adapted process:

Recommended Process for US Hunter

1. Book a SIGAP-permitted tour operator (CONAP list) — facilitates invitation letter, transport and local guide
2. Import firearm temporarily: DIGECAM issues a temporary import permit valid up to 90 days. Mandatory at the airport on arrival — see individual firearm import license
3. Apply for CONAP tourist permit with operator support
4. Hunt within authorized zone and season
5. To take trophies back to USA: request a CITES export certificate at CONAP (15 additional days). Without CITES, USDA and USFWS confiscate the trophy in the USA.

Documents to Have Before Traveling

• Valid passport (6+ months)
• Invitation letter from operator or local hunter
• International liability insurance proof
• US state hunter certification (NRA, hunter education) — speeds the process
• MINEX apostille if you need to apostille US documents

Typical Cost for US Hunter Visiting 1 Week

Penalties for Hunting Without a Permit

Related Procedures

• CONAP — Procedures hub — all CONAP services
• Hunting License Renewal CONAP — renew your annual license
• Replace Lost Hunting License — if you lost it
• DIGECAM — Temporary Firearm Import — for foreign hunters
• DIGECAM — First Firearm Carry License — for Guatemalan hunters
• Criminal Record (PNC) — mandatory requirement
• Get Guatemala NIT — CONAP requirement
• MINEX — Apostille — for foreign hunters’’ documents

Official Links

• CONAP — Official site
• CONAP — Licenses portal
• Government services catalog
• Protected Areas Law (Decreto 4-89)
• CITES — International convention
• DIGECAM — Firearm procedures

Sport hunting in Guatemala runs on strict annual quotas. Before heading to the field, verify the current CONAP resolution, keep your DIGECAM license active, and always submit your control tags. The line between legal hunting and environmental crime is paperwork in order.