Guatemala Travel Safety

Precautions

Do not display signs of affluence, especially in airports. Avoid travelling alone (especially late at night) and avoid low-cost hotels with poor security. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Carry only a copy of the identification page of your passport and sufficient funds for the day. Never display laptop computers, mobile phones or other electronic devices. Exercise extreme caution when using automated teller machines (ATMs). If you are threatened by robbers, stay calm and do not resist: injuries and deaths have occurred when victims have resisted. Vigilante justice has increased in rural areas, resulting in lynching suspected child kidnappers and other suspected criminals. Avoid large crowds and gatherings because of the potential for violence.

Road safety

Travel by road can be risky. While most roads in urban areas are in fair condition, secondary streets and rural roads are poorly maintained and poorly lit. Steep, winding mountain roads and a lack of road signs present additional dangers. Local motorists generally have little regard for traffic regulations and do not follow safe driving practices or vehicle maintenance. There is a high risk of robbery, especially on highways. Only undertake intercity travel by car during daylight hours, preferably in a convoy of two or more vehicles. Always drive with car windows closed and doors locked. Incidents of armed robberies through vehicle interception, and perpetrated by criminals posing as police, are increasing, notably on the Inter-American (or Pan-American) Highway (CA-1) and the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-2), and when travelling close to the border with El Salvador. Exercise extreme caution if you must travel on the CA-2 highway in the department of San Marcos (up to and including the border with Mexico) and do so during daylight hours only, due to an increase in violent incidents. Avoid travelling on the isolated, small dirt roads near Lake Atitlán and on the road from Godinez to Panajachel, as they are rarely patrolled by police. Roadblocks erected due to roadwork are common, particularly in the northern and western departments of San Marcos, Huehuetenango, Quiché, Alta Verapaz, Petén and Escuintla. These roadblocks may cause substantial delays, so it is highly recommended to amend you travel plans (for example, stay overnight in a safe lodging located in a major town, instead of travelling after dark). When entering the country by land, allow enough time for border formalities so that you can arrive in a major town before dark. Many border posts close for lunch and at dusk. Avoid exchanging money at border crossings, unless absolutely necessary, as doing so has sometimes resulted in armed robbery. Military and police forces conduct random vehicle searches along the border with Mexico.

Taxis

In Guatemala City, only use official taxis and make detailed arrangements for the return trip. Advice on reliable taxi companies may also be obtained by inquiring with hotel staff.

Public transportation

Local and intercity public buses are not safe. Problems include mechanical unreliability, the use of unlicensed drivers, frequent major road accidents and crime on board. Pickpocketing and armed robbery are daily occurrences. Public buses are frequently targeted by gangs who hurl grenades or fire shots as a way of ensuring compliance to extortion demands or to settle accounts. Drivers have been the targets of violence, including murder. Passengers have been subject to armed robbery, sometimes by fellow passengers. Do not travel on local public buses ("chicken buses"). Tourist shuttles travelling between popular destinations have been targeted by hijackers in the past. Only travel on intercity buses during daylight hours and with reliable tour companies, as fraud has occurred. Ensure that transportation and tour providers are reputable and reliable before booking. Hotel staff can provide you with advice on the safest companies. In Guatemala City, only use official taxis and make detailed arrangements for the return trip. Advice on reliable taxi companies may also be obtained by inquiring with hotel staff.

Women's safety

Guatemala is generally safe, women travelling alone should maintain personal security awareness. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Women, particularly foreigners may be subject to unwanted male attention and catcalls in certain places. Be vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance and exercise common precautions throughout your travel.

Crime

Guatemala has one of the highest rates of violent crime in Latin America, but a very low arrest and detention rate. Handguns and other small arms are very common. Criminals often operate in groups. Crime levels tend to increase during the holiday seasons. Always maintain a high level of personal security awareness. Most incidents are drug and gang related and occur in and around Guatemala City, in other major cities and in rural areas. Drug-related armed attacks occur in southeastern departments close to the borders with El Salvador and Honduras and along the overall border with Mexico, notably in the southwest department of San Marcos. Foreigners are often targets of robbery, carjacking, armed assault, sexual assault and rape.

LGBT

Homosexuality is not illegal, although there are currently no provisions in Guatemalan legislation guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. There is no recognition of same-sex marriages in Guatemala. In Guatemala City, local people are largely tolerant of different lifestyles and small displays of affection between same sex couples are accepted. Outside Guatemala City attitudes are more conservative and same-sex couples should avoid public displays of affection.

Illegal drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. There are severe penalties for drug trafficking (10-20 years) and drug use (8-15 years). Guatemalan prisons are overcrowded, violent and unclean.

Identification

In San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá, local authorities may not accept a copy of your passport as identification, and may fine or detain you if you can't produce your original passport or a certified copy when asked.

Driving

An International Driving Permit is recommended. If you are involved in a driving accident that results in injury or death, you may be taken into custody until responsibility for the accident is determined.