Guatemala
Safety and security
This guide also has safety advice for regions of Guatemala.
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in Guatemala
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Guatemala, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
Incidents of political violence, strikes and large demonstrations can occur, often with little or no notice. Most demonstrations are peaceful, but they can turn violent. Protestors may block roads and public facilities, including the international airport, without notice.
Crime
Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Although most of the serious crime involves local gangs, you could be caught up in incidents as they can happen in tourist areas.
No parts of Guatemala City are free from crime, including Zone 10 (Zona Viva), which is popular with tourists and foreign residents. Take care in Zone 1 where tourists have been targeted by opportunistic criminals, this is the historical centre where cheaper hotels are located and several bus routes end.
If you are planning to visit or stay in the outer zones of the City such as Zones 18-25, you should use reputable chain hotels and research the area extensively as these zones are known for higher levels of crime. Zones 6, 7 and 8 should also be treated with caution.
When travelling to more rural parts of Guatemala you should travel with a reputable tour company and follow local security advice. Areas in and around the departments of Huehuetenango, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Izabal, San Marcos and Petén experience high levels of crime. You should remain within the touristic areas and travel during daylight hours where possible.
Violent crime
Violent attacks, including sexual assault and gun crime, can take place anywhere and at any time of the day. Attackers have killed and injured victims who resisted. There is a low arrest and conviction rate.
Carjacking and armed robbery are common.
There have been armed attacks or robberies on most tourist routes between Guatemala City, Antigua, Tikal, Petén and Lake Atitlán. See Regional risks.
Protecting yourself and your belongings
You can take precautions such as:
- not displaying valuables like laptops, cameras and mobile phones
- not wearing a lot of jewellery
- carrying only small amounts of cash – avoid withdrawing a lot of money, particularly at night
- keeping valuables safe (for example, in a hotel safe)
- not travelling alone or at night, especially near borders or in areas without many people
If you go to remote areas, it may be safer to travel with others or a reputable tour company.
For shorter trips within towns and cities the safest option is to take radio-dispatched taxis (which are usually yellow), Uber (where available) or hotel taxis. You can buy pre-paid taxi vouchers from the office of INGUAT, Guatemala’s tourist agency (Spanish language website) in the airport’s arrivals terminal.
If you’re driving, it is generally safer to travel on main roads. There is a greater risk of attack by gangs on quieter routes. Travel in convoy if possible.
Be aware of your surroundings and take care around ATMs, petrol station forecourts, the airport, bus stations and shopping centres.
You can get up-to-date security information from INGUAT.
If you are a victim of a criminal attack, INGUAT has a tourist assistance and emergency service section called PROATUR who can help accompany you to your hotel or other safe place. See Getting help.
Buses and coaches
Avoid travelling on public buses (repainted US school buses). There have been incidents of attacks and extortion by local gangs on bus drivers resulting in serious injury or death. These buses are usually poorly maintained, overcrowded and do not generally adhere to the rules of the road, driving at dangerous speeds on perilous roads. Accidents are common and sometimes fatal.
Private intercity coach services are generally safer, but gangs have also targeted these, even on main roads.
ATM tampering
Check ATMs for evidence of tampering. Affected machines may not be easy to spot. It’s safer to change money in hotels, at banks or at foreign exchange offices.
Fake police officers
Criminals posing as police officers have committed theft, extortion and sexual assault in Guatemala.
Scams
Foreign visitors are at risk of scams. Scams come in many forms and can lead to great financial loss. Warn your friends and family to be sceptical if they are asked to transfer funds to you in Guatemala. Tell them to contact you to check that you have made this request.
Criminal kidnapping
Express kidnappings – short term opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim – are common in Guatemala. Victims can be targeted or selected at random. They are held while criminals withdraw money from their bank accounts using their cards. Many cases involve victims that have been picked up by taxis (registered or illegal) hailed from the street. Be aware of your surroundings and always let someone you trust know your whereabouts, especially after dark.
Business people and visitors perceived to be wealthy may be targeted by kidnappers in search of payouts. Be discreet about discussing your financial or business affairs in places where you may be overheard by others, and when arranging meetings use a secure location.
If you are a victim of kidnapping, follow the kidnapper’s instructions.
Laws and cultural differences
Personal ID
It is a legal requirement to always carry ID. In most parts of the country, you can carry a copy of your passport’s photo page for identification purposes. In San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá, local authorities may not accept a copy and may fine or detain you if you cannot show your original passport or a certified copy. Always co-operate with military and police officers and be prepared for checkpoints.
Alcohol laws and bans
During specific periods (such as elections) alcohol sales may be banned or restricted during certain times.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
There are severe penalties for drug trafficking and the use of drugs. Guatemalan prisons are overcrowded, violent, and dirty.
Taking photos without permission
Do not take photographs without permission, especially of children. This is particularly important in more remote areas such as Quiché, Petén, San Marcos and Chiquimula provinces. There have been attacks related to accusations and fears of child kidnapping for adoption or theft of vital organs. Foreigners have been caught up in the violence. You may need to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults.
LGBT+ travellers
Same sex sexual activity is not illegal, although there are no laws guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Same-sex marriages are not recognised in Guatemala. In Guatemala City, local people are largely tolerant of LGBT+ people. Outside Guatemala City, attitudes are more conservative. Showing affection in public may bring verbal and physical attacks, harassment and discrimination.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
Climbing volcanoes
Before you climb volcanoes, visit the websites of the Guatemalan Meteorological Office (Spanish language website) and CONRED, Guatemala’s disaster agency for information on access, restrictions and recommendations.
Follow the advice of local authorities. Some volcanoes are at high altitude with freezing temperatures at night. Warm clothing and waterproofs are essential. Local tour organisers tend to underestimate the risks and deaths have occurred. There is no mountain rescue service.
See more information on Volunteering and adventure travel.
Transport risks
Road travel
If you are planning to drive, see information on driving abroad.
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Guatemala for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
Driving rules and safety
In Guatemala:
- it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving
- speed limits are enforced
Randomly located police checkpoints can be setup around the city and drivers are usually pulled over for documentation and outstanding penalty checks. Ensure you have your licence, ID and car rental or ownership paperwork to hand.
Drink-driving is a serious offence. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine, your licence confiscated and possible imprisonment. However, drinking-driving is common in Guatemala.
In more isolated locations, roads are unpaved and you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
If you’re involved in an accident, contact the National Police (telephone: 110) or the fire brigade (telephone: 122 or 123) and wait for them to arrive. PROVIAL (telephone: +502 2419 2121 or 1520), a roadside assistance force, patrols most of the major roads in the country. However, patrols are infrequent.
For more information on road laws, see Guatemala Department of Transport (in Spanish).
Intercity buses
Guatemala Municipality no longer allows some intercity buses to enter the city centre. They drop passengers at various points on the city outskirts.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Rainy season
The rainy season in Guatemala normally runs from May to November, the same time as the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Heavy rains cause frequent flooding and landslides, and poorly maintained roads and bridges have been known to collapse.
Check local media and consult your tour operator and PROATUR, Guatemala’s tourist assistance service (see Getting help). Travel routes are likely to face disruption. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization and the US National Hurricane Center. Follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders.
Earthquakes
There are frequent minor earth tremors and there is a risk of earthquakes in Guatemala. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami.
Volcanic eruptions
There is a risk of volcanic eruptions in Guatemala. Monitor local media and seek advice from your tour operator in case of possible travel disruption. For further information see CONRED, Guatemala’s disaster agency (in Spanish).