Guatemala

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Strikes and large demonstrations often occur with little notice and have resulted in travellers being forcibly detained at roadblocks, the closure of border-crossing points and disruption of traffic and essential services.

You should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Guatemala because of the risk of serious criminal activity and incidents of local unrest.

You should pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the local media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Guatemala has a high crime rate. Violent crime, often involving the use of firearms, including murder, kidnapping, assault, rape and robbery continues to increase, including in Guatemala City, the Tikal National Park, Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Cerro de la Cruz (outside Antigua), Volcan de Pacaya, at Biotopo Cerro Cahui, and in Izabal Department.

Violent assaults and robberies are increasing in Guatemala City and are occurring in areas of the city previously considered safe, including Zone 10. Violent assaults and sexual assaults have also occurred at night in Antigua. Violent street gangs are a concern throughout Guatemala and they are well armed.

To minimise the risk of becoming a victim of crime, you should remain vigilant in public areas and avoid public transport or walking or jogging alone, especially after dark. Victims have been injured when resisting perpetrators. Where possible, you should travel with other people. Use of a reputable tour company, tour organiser, or an escort from the Government run tourist service (INGUAT) may reduce risks associated with travel in Guatemala.

We advise you to be particularly cautious and check with local authorities if considering travel to tourist destinations Rio Dulce, Livingston, Lake Izabal and Puerto Barrios in Izabal Department in the central west of Guatemala. Tensions remain in the long running dispute between the indigenous people and the Guatemalan authorities. Kidnapping of foreigners has been used as a way to draw attention to the indigenous cause. Only take organised tours when disembarking from cruise ships at the Puerto Barrio port and ensure that the port authorities know the details of your planned itinerary.

Criminals have targeted tourists travelling from the international airport to hotels in Guatemala City. If possible, you should schedule arrival at La Aurora Airport (Guatemala City) during the day or early evening. Avoid displaying valuable items such as cameras and mobile phones. Laptops are frequently targeted, so carry them inconspicuously in a backpack or other carry-on luggage, including in public internet access areas.

Tourist groups hiking near the Acatenango Volcano in Chimaltenango have been violently attacked by armed gunmen. You should check with local authorities before travelling to Tajumulco Volcano and the surrounding area. Tensions have arisen from land disputes and rumours that tourists have been responsible for some missing children cases. Climbing any volcano in Guatemala should only be undertaken as a group and with a professional guide.

Violent carjackings occur, particularly on poorly maintained roads, on parts of the Pan-American Highway (CA-1), the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-2) and the Atlantic Highway (CA-9). There have been reports of violent attacks on motorists travelling between El Salvador and Guatemala, particularly on the Guatemalan side of the border.

Travellers should avoid using the route between Cocales (Suchitepequez) and San Lucas Toliman (Atitlan) and the isolated dirt roads near Lake Atitlan. Avoid the Godinez by-pass via Patzun between Guatemala City and Panajachel as this area is rarely patrolled by police. The main Pan-American highway to Solola provides an alternate route.

Tourist, and other, buses have been targeted by criminal gangs. Inter-city buses, including luxury coaches, have been forced to stop by criminal gangs who then rob and/or sexually assault passengers. Buses have been attacked near border crossings and in known tourist areas such as Panajachel and Antigua. The roads from the El Salvador border to Cuilapa and from the Belize border to El Cruce are danger spots for bus-jackings. Highway robberies occur frequently, particularly in the Peten region of northern Guatemala and areas near the El Salvador and Honduras borders. Robberies may be accompanied by violence.

Intercity travel after dark anywhere in Guatemala is dangerous and should be avoided.
Sexual assault, extortion and robbery have been committed by persons posing as police officers, sometimes driving automobiles resembling police vehicles.

Petty crime including pick-pocketing and bag-snatching is common in major cities and tourist areas, including airports and bus terminals. You should pay attention to your belongings at all times, and take particular care in and around the Central Markets and in Zone 1 in Guatemala City and in the city of Antigua. You should avoid travelling in Zone 1 in Guatemala City after dark. Scams target tourists to steal money and other possessions. You should be vigilant at all times and be cautious of strangers offering unsolicited services or unusual requests.

Cross land borders to Guatemala with care. Violent armed robberies have occurred when travellers entering Guatemala have changed large amounts of cash at a land border crossing. The border between Guatemala and Mexico has seen increased levels of crime relating to drug trafficking and illegal immigration. You should only cross the border during daylight hours and allow time for border crossing formalities in order to arrive in a major town before dark. Many border posts close for lunch and at dusk.

Using ATMs on the street puts you at high risk of robbery. Changing money at hotels or using ATMs in shopping centres or department stores may reduce this risk. Do not withdraw too much at any one time and avoid withdrawing money at night. ‘Express kidnappings’, where victims are forced to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release, have occurred, particularly at ATMs, petrol stations and shopping centres.

Theft has been reported at budget accommodation, particularly in Antigua.

PROATUR is a tourist assistance unit which provides 24-hour assistance. It can be contacted toll free nationwide by dialling 1500.

Department of Peten: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Department of Peten (including the site of Tikal) due to increased security measures in the region. On 16 May 2011, Guatemalan authorities declared a “State of Siege” in the Peten Department following the killing of 27 people near La Libertad. During the “State of Siege” security forces will have increased powers and are likely to conduct security operations in the department. The “State of Siege” in the Department of Peten remains in place.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. ATMs are not always reliable; however credit cards and traveller’s cheques are widely accepted.

The US dollar is the only currency freely exchanged in Guatemala.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering and theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.

Photographing children and women may be met with suspicion and violence. Life-threatening attacks on tourists have occurred. Permission should be sought from an adult before taking photographs of, or talking to, children.

Same sex relationships are generally accepted in the capital, Guatemala City, but more conservative attitudes prevail in other parts of the country.

Australian/Guatemalan dual national males between 18 and 50 years of age may be required to complete compulsory military service obligations if they visit Guatemala. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Guatemala before you travel.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.

Guatemalan authorities have declared a state of disaster throughout the country due to flooding and damage to infrastructure caused by recent storms. You should monitor the media and weather forecasts and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Hurricanes: The hurricane season is June to November when landslides, mudslides and flooding may occur. Roads and bridges may collapse and power and communication systems could be affected in some areas. In the case of a hurricane, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.

The direction and strength of hurricanes can change with little warning. You can check the latest hurricane information at the National Hurricane Center website.

In the event of an approaching hurricane, you should follow the instructions of local authorities. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. You should contact your airline for the latest flight information. The hurricane could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe hurricane may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. Passport, picture ID's, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.

The wet season is from May to November. Heavy rainfall can cause landslides and mudslides, often with devastating effect on people, property, local infrastructure and essential services. Roads often become blocked at very short notice. Information on severe weather conditions can be obtained from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency and the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.

Guatemala is located in an active seismic zone. Travellers should familiarise themselves with earthquake security measures of hotels, public and private buildings and follow the advice of local authorities in the event of an earthquake.

There are four active volcanos in Guatemala-Pacaya, Volcan de Fuego, Santiaguito and Tacana. Reports indicate that Pacaya, Volcan de Fuego and Santiaguito volcanoes have very high levels of activity which may increase at any time. Advice regarding current volcanic activity can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. Follow the advice of local authorities if you choose to climb any of the volcanoes and only do so with a group and a professional guide, or a reputable tour company.

If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.