I'm planning on visiting Guatemala this November and am
trying to find details of the area. On my definitely going
to visit list are Lake Atitlan, Tikal, and Copan in
Honduras. I'm trying to find out how safe it is around
there; I've heard conflicting stories ranging form "no
problem at all" to "your life is constantly at risk."
Anyone who's been there recently know for sure? What's the
actual level of risk? How easy is it to avoid? Is it
basically safe as long as your careful? Let me know if you
can. I'm trying to dissuade my parents' fears and would
like some hard facts to base my arguments on.
[There are 7 posts - the latest was added on Wed 19 May, 12:24]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
My wife and I are mid-twenties and just got back from 3
months in Guatemala. You dont have to be worried about being
dissappeared by the local rebels or the government, but you
do have to worry about petty theft. Purse snatching,
pickpocketing, muggings, etc. I lost a wallet in CheChe but
otherwise we had no problems. Travel smart and have fun.
I was in Guate from Nov'98 to Feb'99. I too was concerned about my safety and reassuring my parents and friends as well. Please don't let the "talk" keep you from going on this trip. Guatemala is a beautiful country and the people are wonderful. If you feel the need, register with your embassy upon arrival, that way they know where you are and how long you plan to stay. There are internet cafe's all over the place making it easy to stay in touch with people back home. The best thing to do is to exercise common sense. Be careful in the markets or chicken buses or anywhere there is a crowd. There is, however, very little you can do or say that will ease the minds of those you leave behind. My mother compared my going to Guate to being pregnant. When a woman gets pregnant, all of a sudden she notices all the pregnant women around her. When I decided to go to Guate. all of a sudden she started hearing all kinds of information form people who knew people who had been there...as well as the news. Much of what she heard was negative so that's what she focused on.
It was a fabulous experience and really no more dangerous than going anywhere else. I know people who won't walk alone after dark here in my home town in Northern Ontario.
Anyway sorry for rambling, hope this helps!!!
Leanne
You are relatively safe as long as you are alert to
possible things happening and you avoid them before they
actually occur. Keep your eyes open for people "sizing you
up." Avoid desolate places and don't travel after dark. If
you are in heavily traveled tourist apots keep a close
watch on your bags as well as your watches and jewelry.
I returned from Guate. and ES last week and had no problems
at all, but again I do not let myself get into situations
where I would have problems. Remember this is a third world
country where 500. a month makes you middle class (their
standards) and you have a maid. There are so many gringos
there, and so much english spoken you will only have
problems if you bring them on yourself. You ain't in Kansas
anymore. Points, bring toilet paper, sleeping netting, bug
dope and an open mind.
Wife and I just returned having visited all three places
you mention. People were very friendly. Just don't do
anything really foolhardy. For what its worth, we thought
that the ride to Copan was a rough one, long time in
getting there from Antigua by car. If you cant see both,
suggest that you be sure to get to Tikol. Stayed at Posada
Schuman at San Marcos on the lake. Food, accomodations
great for 10 US.
I was a little scared upon entering guatemala. I'm a
twenty year old female and was there dec 98. I took a bus
from san cristobal, Mex and there was a family from
California on the bus so i felt more comfortable with them
taking me under their wing at customs. I didn't know much
about guatemala before going there, I wasn't even planning
on going but I met a traveler in san cristobal who told all
these wonderful things and gave me his lp guidebook. Most
busses in guatemala are old school buses from the US, very
uncomfortable and crowded. I spent the first night in
huehuetenago to just get some sleep. the bus station was
very rural; when i got off the bus around midnight i was
immediately surrounded by guatemalan guys staring and
asking questions. I asked them point blank what was so
interesting for them to be staring at me and to give me a
little space (I don't like anyone standing too close to my
pack). they wanted to help and assist me in anyway and
everyone was very friendly. panajachel where lake atitlan
(aka "gringotenango") is chock full of gringos, and I felt
very safe. not at all what i expected and for that didn't
like it that much. I stayed away from the tourists. but
still I never encountered any locals who spoke english at
all. I speak good spanish so it didn't matter and helped me
tremendously with travel agents and traveling. i chatted
with two mayan girls for a long time by the lake and they
taught me some mayan words and phrases. spanish is their
second language and just a little better than mine.
I had to go into guatemala city to get to the airport
and i was really freaked out about it. in panajachel i met
a guy from guatemala city who insisted on accompaning me on
the bus and brought me to airport and waited for me at the
gate! i found poeple to be friendlier in guatemala than
mexico. Tikal is patrolled by security and is relatively
safe although mugging occurs and there have been incidents
of murder in the past. There is an isolated temple far from
the rest of them so I had a guard walk with me to it and I
even rode with two guards on their golf cart back to the
main area to be on the safe side.
the key to being safe in guatemala is to just be smart.
don't be too trusting of people, always be aware of your
surroundings, act like you know what you are doing and
where you're going even if you are completely lost! don't
wear anything flashy or keep you camera out or around your
neck. try to blend as best you can. in the highlands I
could never blend in that well because i'm blonde, but in
guatemala city there are many light skinned people. the
europeans and natives didn't mix as much as they did in
mexico so there is more of a distinct difference in
physical appearances as well as economic standing. the
flight attendant was blond and blue-eyed, spoke zero
english. I was surprised by that.
I travelled as a single female(26 years old) all over Gautemala for 4 months in 97-98. Realize that bad things can happen at any time to anyone, even in ;your own country. Take whatever safety precuations you can to keep yourself. This means not carrying a lot of valuables, not travelling past mid-afternoon (many busses/cars are help up in the afternoon time), make friends with other travellers and women -- just to name a few ways. In all the time I was there, the worst that happened to me was I lost $17US to a pickpocket walking down the street in Guatemala City. Have a great trip!