IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO GUATEMALA?

Guatemala has so much to offer – breathtaking mountains, beaches, jungles, lakes, ruins, and history – but it comes with enough risks that any reasonable traveler should ask, “Is it safe to travel to Guatemala?” 

It’s a fair question, and yes – there are many ways of seeing this spectacular country safely. But it’s not as easy as landing and walking around. It takes effort. 

Guatemala safety by the numbers 

The Global Peace Index has Guatemala as the world’s 117th safest country, sandwiched between India and Gabon, while Global Finance ranks the country 132nd out of 134 for safety, ahead of only Colombia and the Philippines. 

GeoSure Global gives Guatemala City, the capital, an extremely low 33 rating for general safety, with numbers dipping as low as 22 for LGBTQ+ safety and as high as 62 for medical infrastructure. 

Finally, and most ominously, the State Department has Guatemala at a level-3 status for safety (“Reconsider Travel”). 

Is Guatemala really as unsafe as the numbers make it seem? Let’s look. 

Inside the numbers 

Think of Guatemala as a microcosm of Mexico. Lots of Americans visit Mexico safely, yet there are parts of the country where the State Department won’t even send its own people. 

It all depends on where you go … and that applies equally to Guatemala. The only difference is that in Guatemala there are fewer places to go.  

There’s no Cancun in Guatemala, no Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta. Instead, there’s a lot of what people go to Mexico for – sun, sand, water, jungles, Mayan ruins – with fewer tourists and a lot less infrastructure. 

That extends to the capital. Guatemala City is a lot like Mexico City – a bustling, high-altitude capital surrounded by mountains. The difference is that there are far fewer safe areas of Guatemala City, and fewer reasons to linger and sightsee. 

Since most flights from the U.S. to Guatemala land in Guatemala City, that creates a conundrum: How do you get out of Guatemala City safely and get to the places you want to go? 

Transportation safety in Guatemala 

As you probably surmised, the biggest safety challenge in Guatemala is simply getting around.  

Urban areas are difficult to walk and drive around and have multiple unsafe areas, and rural roads are poorly lit and poorly maintained and either dangerous because they’re so isolated or dangerous because they’re so busy. 

The answer to getting around has multiple components: 

• Using private ground transportation – private shuttles (highly recommended by Walkaboot Travel and others), Uber, boat taxis (lanchas) for crossing Lake Atitlán, and hotel-arranged taxis 

• Flying between major tourist areas 

• Hiring guides for walking tours 

• Working with vetted organizations and agencies 
  
  
• Taking organized tours 
  

What this means  

Here’s what your transportation would look like if you took a typical seven-day vacation where you tried to hit all the highlights in Guatemala: 

• Day 1: Fly into in Guatemala City, take a private shuttle or Uber (45 minutes) to Antigua. Take a private shuttle (Trans-Land or GuateGo) around Antigua. 

• Day 2: Use an Uber or hotel-arranged taxi to get around Antigua. 

• Day 3: Take a private shuttle (2.5 hours) to Panajachel and Lake Atitlán. Take a boat taxi to San Juan la Laguna and private shuttles (GuateGo or Atitrans) to dinner and activities. 

• Day 4: Stay near Lake Atitlán. Hire a guide through your hotel for a sunrise hike to Indian Nose and use hotel-arranged boat transport for other activities. 

• Day 5: Take a private shuttle to Guatemala City (2.5 hours) and fly from Guatemala City to Flores on TagAirlines. 

• Day 6: Tour Tikal National Park with a private guide. Take a boat ride around Lake Petén Itzá. Arrange tours through the hotel, a travel professional, or Viator. 

• Day 7: Fly from Flores to Guatemala City. Take private transport to La Aurora Airport. Fly home. 

As you can see, there’s nothing risky about this. In fact, everything sounds delightful. But making it work requires additional planning and a higher level of awareness about getting around the country safely. 

 

Other safety risks in Guatemala 

Crime 

The State Department’s level-3 safety rating for Guatemala is because of crime, but the reality is that serious crime in Guatemala is largely restricted to areas you won’t go near if you follow an itinerary like the one just outlined. 

Petty theft is a threat in Guatemala, just as it is in practically any tourist destination around the world. Pickpocketing is a risk when you’re visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua or walking through the ruins at Tikal National Park.  

In addition, unsafe behavior can put you at risk for more violent crime, especially if you walk alone outside resort areas at night. 

In general, if you follow the usual safety precautions in Guatemala you should be just fine – and by “usual safety precautions” we mean: 

• Always being aware of your surroundings 

• Being careful at ATMs 

• Keeping an eye on your belongings 

• Carrying bags with cut-proof straps 

• Spreading around valuables 

• Traveling in groups, especially at night 
  
  
• Being alcohol-smart 

Water and sun safety 

Again, the usual caveats apply about swimming and boating in a tropical country, namely: 

• Watch for rip currents 

• Expect there to be no lifeguards at the beach 

• Be aware of jellyfish and other aquatic hazards 

• Bring your own life jackets for boat tours and transports, and kayak rentals 

• Don’t mix alcohol and water 

• Vet all dive-boat operators and water-based tours 

As for the sun, it’s tropical, it’s hot and it can burn you to a crisp in an hour. Bring lots of zinc-based SPF sunscreen and apply it liberally. Be especially sun conscious with kids. 

Diseases and bites/stings 

Guatemala is home to almost the full spectrum of insect-borne tropical diseases, including: 

• Yellow fever 

• Zika 

• Chikungunya 

• Dengue fever 

• Encephalitis 

It’s just good sense to carry insect repellent with a high DEET concentration and apply it liberally. It’s also smart to sleep under mosquito netting in lodgings that have high exposure to outside air. 

As for other tropical dangers, if you want poisonous spiders, snakes, scorpions, and insects, Guatemala has them. Wear hiking boots if you’re doing any serious jungle treks. 

In addition, you should: 

• Follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations on vaccinations for travelers to Guatemala. 

• Buy travel insurance with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation. 

It’s a fact: Guatemala’s relatively limited infrastructure extends to healthcare. It may be hard to find high-quality care even in Guatemala City. In addition, medical evacuation from even the most popular trails around Lake Atitlán can be complex and expensive. 

Choosing travel protection that covers you as you explore Guatemala – like AdrenalineCare® from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection – can provide needed peace of mind for a Guatemalan vacation. 

Food and drink safety 

Guatemala’s street-food scene isn’t as developed as Mexico City’s, which means there’s even more risk of getting sick from eating improperly prepared or unusually seasoned foods.  

As On The Go Tours notes, “The standard of hygiene is normally fine, but exercise a sensible amount of caution especially when eating fish and meat.” 

In general, when considering street food in Guatemala you should: 

• Consume hot, freshly prepared food 

• Look for the most popular stands – their food is likely the freshest 

• Avoid consuming fresh fruits or vegetables 

• Take it easy at first – work your way into it 

Along with that, avoid drinking tap water, even at resorts, and stick to bottled water for drinking and washing produce. Also avoid consuming drinks with ice in them. 

Other safety tips 

Miscellaneous safety tips for Guatemala include: 

• Keep valuable items secure and out of sight 

• Keep a low profile – avoid displaying expensive jewelry or electronics 

• Learn a few simple Spanish phrases 

• Carry a basic medical kit 

• Register with STEP, the State Department’s safe-traveler program 

• Share your itinerary with family and trusted friends 

• Keep digital and physical copies of important documents 

• Trust your instincts; if a situation feels uncomfortable, leave 

And if you’re looking for even more safety tips, The Broke Backpacker has them.  

Guatemala is a less-traveled gem rich in history and beauty. With proper planning and some old-fashioned common sense, you can have a Guatemalan adventure that’s amazing and safe.