Before driving across the border at La Mesilla, just south of Ciudad Cuauhtemoc, I camped at the Zona Arqueológica El Lagartero near the border (Mexican side). If you’re driving across and have a day or two to spare, this is the perfect place to camp out before driving the border. I did stay on a Sunday and it was busy with locals cooking and enjoying their weekend. A weekday here would be perfect.

Driving across the Guatemala border was pretty easy, even with the dog. I’ve heard other folks say it was a pain, especially with a dog. My theory is that early Monday morning is easy because the workers are hung over from the Sunday fiesta.

It is still more complex than Mexico as they have the free zone when crossing to Baja and everything is super easy.

Driving Across the Guatemala Border

I pulled up to the border and there is a little guard shack. The guy stopped me and immediately noticed the dog. I handed over her paperwork and he gave me a ticket with price for the dog before pointing to a parking area just ahead on the right.

The parking area is just a few spots with cones. Another guy moved a cone and waved me into the spot. At this point, you have a set of windows. Approach one to get your TIP process moving. Hand over the title, passport, drivers license and copies of everything.

They will send you to the bank, immediately adjacent to pay the bill for your TIP and the dog. Keep the receipts. After the TIP is done and you are stamped in, they will place a sticker on the window of your car. Walk back to the shack with the receipt and get the dog’s papers.

All set. It took me about one hour first thing on a Monday morning. Everyone was nice and helpful.

After you are all set however, you will immediately drive into a busy market with a narrow road. apparently, Monday was delivery day because they routed me on a backstreet that was extremely narrow and very steep.

Take your time and drive carefully. The roads are full of potholes and the topes appear at random everywhere throughout Guatemala.