About Guatemala

One of the most common questions people ask when they are coming to Guatemala for the first time is: it is safe to travel in Guatemala?

Guatemala had a very sad history of violence, civil war and dictatorships during the 20th century and just now is trying to emerge from that. There are still many social problems that the government and the people are still trying to solve, been drugs and ¨Maras¨ one of the most common and hard to eradicate.

But in my personal opinion Guatemala is as safe as any other country in the world if you are planning to travel here and the authorities are trying to make it safer every single day. I’m sure that many will share the opinion that traveling safety is 90% common sense and 10% luck, so as long as travelers follow their common sense and recommendations from locals and other people who went there before, Im sure they will have a lovely time in any place they visit.

Guatemala City is by far the most dangerous place in Guatemala, and that is why lots of travelers pass trough and so many guide books will tell you to avoid it. I had lots of fun in Guatemala City myself and I heard a lot of travelers trash it even they never spend more than 20 minutes there and I say this because some people might think by just avoiding Guatemala City they will be safe, but common sense will have to go with you trough the whole trip.

Try to avoid taking buses inside Guatemala City. There are many cases of buses robbed and even the police increase the security lately and the chances of this happening to you are small why dare faith?

Chicken buses get really crowded, so here you will have to take precautions against pick pockets and try not to leave your backpack out of sight. There is been cases of backpacks been slice with razors to take out things.

If you like to hike, then take some precautions as well. Always make sure the area where you would like to hike is safe by asking locals, other travelers or local authorities. Try not to do it alone, always try to do it trough a travel agency that can provide certain security and always ask local authorities about safety conditions.

Some things I would recommend you to do when you come to Guatemala:

* Avoid buses in Guatemala City
* If you need to take a taxi in Guatemala City make sure is register or call to this phone number 2470-1515 to ask for one, this company is one of the most renamed in Guatemala City.
* Take extra care of your money and backpack in chicken buses
* Even if you take a first class bus, always keep and eye on your stuff. Money and Passport should never leave your sight.
* Is always a good idea to spread your money, credit cards and passport, and try not to have too much cash on you.
* Money belts are great, even if you feel dumb using one I promise you will feel dumber if somebody steals your money or passport from your pockets.
* If you have a camera case and you wear it at plane sight, don’t put money or passport in there because if somebody wants to robe probably it will be the first thing to go away. Keep your camera away when you are not using it.
* Avoid doing dangerous hikes, if you like hikes or climbing volcanoes do it trough a travel agency.
* If you are crossing borders, if you change money just change enough until you get to a bank. And if you do it at the border ask for small bills, because usually fake bills come in hundred’s.

Enjoy your trip, you will have a great time in Guatemala!.