Guatemala - Safety?

[Not The Motorcycle Diaries]

My brother and I are heading there in a bit and were wondering if anyone has been through recently and has any advice?
We're not overly scared but just wanted to get someone's feedback on cities versus towns, safe areas versus unsafe. etc.

Thanks,
IanRowan@gmail.com

[petefromberkeley]

Guatemala is like everywhere else. There are plenty of stories of bad things happening, but if you stick to the normal rules of being careful, it's not worse than lots of places.

Your guidebook will reference a few places you really don't want to go alone, but basically it's fine.

To give you an idea of my opinion, in November, my fiance and I flew both of our families down there including her 92 year old grandmother and my young niece and got married in Antigua

[SalCar]

guatemala was one of my favorite countries. you must go to Tikal and stayed in Flores. the people are amazing. if it wasn´t for my grandmas b-day in nicaragua i would have stay more than the 3 weeks that i stayed there.

i found guatemala to be a bit scarier than the other countries in central america bc alot of people are carrying a gun. in www.motoaventuras.com you can post that you´ll be there and might get some more recent recomendations. if possible stay away from riding in guatemala city which is dangerous. nothing happen to me and defenitely going back ASAP.

[Lone Rider]

I recently spent a month in GT and love the country.
I don't do large cities, so GT City wasn't on my list.

[BklynDakar]

Don´t be afraid to go but do understand there are dangerous areas. You can walk around all night in Antigua but if you ride around Lake Atitlan, for example, armed robbery on the road is a real possiblity. Check the embassy crime reports and prior posts here.

Ironically, now might be one of the safest times, becuase the Guat police just killed some Salvadorian politicians and everyone is on high alert.

Move on to El Salvador instead, my .02

[Lone Rider]

Originally Posted by BklynDakar

.........but if you ride around Lake Atitlan, for example, armed robbery on the road is a real possiblity. ......

The famous section for robberies is between Santigo and San Pedro. I rode this a year + ago, but didn't know of the problems at that time. This road is now in the process of being paved which will change that robbery situation and many other things on the southside of the lake.

If you don't visit San Pedro, you've screwed yourself out of something...

[Smellybiker]

We've been in Guatemala for a week now.

The natives are friendly, Guat City is a dump. No hassles exploring dirt roads off the beaten track & havent even been stopped by the police.

My impression is its like all Latin American countries. Common sense will generally keep you safe & if a place 'feels' dodgy you should trust your instincts.

We're in Santa Elena at the moment, next stop Belize.