The Guatemalan visa system is pretty simple if all you want to do is come here on vacation: tourists are given a 90 day tourist 
visa, which generally covers even extended vacations. If you want to stay longer than that you have a couple options.
Your first option is to renew your tourist visa. The visa can be renewed once in the capital before you actually have to leave the country. Once you leave the country, you are again granted a 90 day visa that can be renewed once before having to leave again. So, basically about every 90 days you have to hike back to the States or up to Mexico (El Salvador doesn’t count as leaving the country, as it is a member of CA-4). Renewing your visa costs 115Q and you have to bring your passport (duh!), a copy of your birth certificate and a copy of a credit card in your name. Drop off the items at the immigration office in Zona 1 and come back 3 days later to pick up your renewed visa.
There are a number of agencies designed to help expats, and eager locals, who charge as little as 100Q and as much as 300Q per passport to do this renewal for you. If you don’t live in Guatemala City, this might be the way to go as multiple trips, or 3 days in the capital doesn’t appeal to many.
Your other option is to apply for a long-term of permanent visa. You can apply if you are not wanted by any federal agencies in the US and if you have income that you can prove to the Guatemalan government. It is even possible for foreigners to obtain residency in Guatemala, but that requires massive amounts of patience and will.
Whatever you do, try to keep your visa current. Overstaying your visa costs you 10Q per day.
Of course… there are other, more creative ways that some foreigners have sneaked around the laws and immigration offices to avoid fines (read, not entirely legal activity). Ask around and you’ll hear plenty of tales that go hand in hand with the corruption ever too present, and helpful, in government offices.
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I am looking for an agency in Antigua to help me with a visa extension
thanks
Just wanted to give an update on this process. Now you need a photo (the size of the cedula photo)when you submit the paperwork for renewal visa. You can get this for 40Q at any QuickPhoto type of shop. I think the price has risen about 10Q as well.
Thanks for this information, will be at the Centro American Travel Market starting next Friday, 15th October.
Do you have to go to the capital or can I just drive to Mexico spend 3 days there and then come back with another 90 Day Visa?? (I’m going to be in the country 180 Days Basicly