Fishing licence worldwide
Fishing licence in Guatemala: what anglers need
In Guatemala the sport fishing licence is tied to the boat: charter boats need a licence from the agriculture ministry MAGA, guests on board need none of their own. The law provides no individual licence for anglers without a boat, and free subsistence fishing is reserved for Guatemalans. Sailfish must be released alive.
Checked on 15.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.
- Sea
- partly
- Freshwater
- partly
Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Guatemala?
Sport fishing is authorised by licence after the boat has been registered with the naval authority. The annual fee depends on boat length. The law sets no separate licence for anglers on board a licensed boat.
Source: Decreto 80-2002 Art. 26, 52 und 75 (Gesetzestext über FAOLEX) (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Guatemala?
Under the law sport fishing means fishing for recreation, with or without a boat, including public inland waters. The licence, however, requires a registered boat; the law has no licence for anglers without a boat. Fee-free subsistence fishing is reserved for Guatemalans.
Source: Decreto 80-2002, Begriffe Nr. 35 und 36, Art. 26 und 34
How much is a fishing licence in Guatemala?
Annual fee for sport boats under the national flag: up to 8 m GTQ 800, 8.01 to 12 m GTQ 2,400, from 12.01 m GTQ 8,000. Foreign boats pay GTQ 2,000 per tournament.
Source: Decreto 80-2002 Art. 75 (Gesetzestext über FAOLEX) (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
Where do you buy a fishing licence for Guatemala?
The boat operator applies to MAGA; the licence is valid for 10 years. The government procedures catalogue lists it as Licencia o prórroga de Pesca Deportiva and asks for boat papers. We found no way for individual visitors to buy one. not confirmed yet
Source: Decreto 80-2002 Art. 62
What about children, teens and seniors?
We did not find an age rule. not confirmed yet
What applies to visitors from abroad?
Nationals and foreigners may sport fish. If you go out on a licensed charter boat, the law sets no licence of your own. Ask the operator for the licence number.
Source: Decreto 80-2002 Art. 26 und 27 (über FAOLEX) (abgerufen 15.10.2026)
Which catch and take-home rules apply?
Sailfish are reserved for sport fishing and must be returned to the sea alive. Only circle hooks are allowed for billfish; for large pelagic fish, trolling with catch and release applies.
Source: Decreto 80-2002 Art. 28 und 80 j
What else should you know?
Foreign sport boats need a fixed-term permit. Lake Atitlán has its own gear rules.
Source: Decreto 80-2002 Art. 73
Official licence pages by state or region
Each state or region sells its own licence. These are the official agency pages.
- Ganz GuatemalaMAGA, Fischereibehörde DIPESCA (im Gesetz UNIPESCA)No licence of your own on licensed charter boats; the law provides no licence for anglers without a boat.
The law does not clearly say whether visitors without a boat may fish legally from shore or inland: the sport licence is tied to a boat, and free subsistence fishing is reserved for Guatemalans. Law and regulation read via FAOLEX; later amendments not checked. MAGA web pages could not be retrieved. Recommendation: ask DIPESCA.
Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.
Next steps
Other countries
Sources (2)
- Decreto 80-2002 Art. 26, 52 und 75 (Gesetzestext über FAOLEX) (abgerufen 15.10.2026)Retrieved 15.10.2026
- Decreto 80-2002 Art. 28 und 80 jRetrieved 15.10.2026
Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].
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