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!.
Pingback by » 3rd Americas Social Forum - Guatemala at Sep 9th, 2008 1:54 pm ↑
[…] Guatemala City is the biggest capital of Central America, with almost 3 million people living there. That might make it a bit scary for a lot of people considering it is the most dangerous place in the whole country. […]
Comment by ana lucia at Feb 5th, 2009 7:48 am ↑
I live in Guatemala and even the local people we are afraid to walk in the street, even when it is day and crowded. Las maras make it impossible to live a normal life. This is the most dangerous country in Latin America with 12-14 murders every day. Think twice before visiting my country. You have to plan it very very well and respect warnings that the local people give you. So many tourist walk around in Antigua as if they were in Europe, but in this country you should be really careful, there is no respect for human lives when it comes to the drug gangs.
Comment by ana lucia at Feb 5th, 2009 7:51 am ↑
..And by the way, you will meet many tourists in Antigua saying: no, this is not dangerous because I have never witnessed anything. But that is because you don’t get to learn a country in 2 weeks or 1 months, but us who live here, we know about the risks because we have seen it happen to our families and friends.
Comment by ana lucia at Feb 5th, 2009 7:57 am ↑
“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.”
It has nothing to do with crowded and pick pochets. Chicken buses are ROBBED by gang members with guns and knives forcing people to give what they have or else there is no mercy. They will kill you for a cell phone. 250-300 buses are robbed daily in Guatemala and so many bus drivers have been killed last year, this comment does not even tell half of the reason why you have to avoid chicken buses. Besides, so many accidents happen due to old buses or drunk/sleepy/stupid drivers. This comment make tourists go on the buses anyway because thief pockets is something rather inocent that you have everywhere, it’s not really a threat.
Comment by cynthia perez at Feb 5th, 2009 8:19 pm ↑
Ive never been to guatemala but i know i will one day because my in laws are there and my kids will be visiting as well so thanks for the tip guatemala city you will never see us
Comment by Jennifer at Jul 1st, 2009 6:21 pm ↑
Some of my girl friends and I are going to Guatemala, but people keep telling us horror stories. While reading Frommer’s Travel Guide, it sounds like a beautiful place with interesting culture, ruins, and geography. We’re going despite the movie, “Abducted!” Thank you for the great advice.
Jennifer
Comment by Robert Castaneda at Feb 4th, 2010 6:00 pm ↑
I just came back from a 3 months stay, I didn’t have any problems but I did go in taxi anywhere alone, and no at night. If you do go out at night, make sure the area is well secure, lots of litghting and that there are other people around. Best place to go to when in the city,,, The Pasaje aycinena, which is located in zona 1, just behind the portal, it is safe, police are always around and lots of people frequent this place. There are several bars there with live entertainment. Also don’t forget to visit the famous “zona viva”, which is also a safe place, very well policed, and lots of clubs. Have fun