Guatemala Travel Risk

Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have higher risks. Please read the full Travel Advisory.

Some areas of Guatemala have higher levels of gang-related violence. Crimes include robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking, assaults, and murders. Local law enforcement often struggles to address serious crimes. This leads to low arrest and conviction rates.

Tourists can become victims of opportunistic crimes such as scams and extortion.

There is risk of terrorist attacks and other terrorist activities from cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations in San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City, and the city of Villa Nueva. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.

Tourist Assistance Program

Guatemala offers the Tourist Assistance Program (ASISTUR) to protect tourists.

• ASISTUR partners with tourist police (DISETUR) in popular areas like Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Quetzaltenango, Puerto Barrios, and Coban.
• Dial 1500 or +502-2290-2810 anytime from a Guatemalan phone number. You can also message them on WhatsApp at +502-5188-1819. Their emergency call center operates in Spanish and English.
• You can request a security escort if your group feels unsafe.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees and their families are not permitted to travel to the San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City, and Villa Nueva due to safety risks.
• U. S. government employees can travel to other parts of Guatemala and visit popular destinations like Tikal, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and the Pacific coast areas in Santa Rosa and Escuintla. However, U.S. government employees should avoid driving outside Guatemala City at night. This is due to poor lighting and safety risks.
• Outside of Zone 18 and Villa Nueva, U.S. government employees and their families can travel throughout Guatemala City, including at night.
• U.S. government employees may not use white taxis or public transportation, like “chicken buses.” This is due to the high chance of crime and injury.
• Visit the U.S. embassy in Guatemala City’s website. You will find local resources, like legal help and medical services. You will also find information on residence and work permits, and driver’s licenses. It also covers rules about bringing weapons into Guatemala.

Do not travel to:

• San Marcos Department due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.
• Huehuetenango Department due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.
• Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing
• to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenango

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these areas.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

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 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.

This section has safety advice for regions of Guatemala. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Borders with Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize

FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing. This is due to increased and sustained gang-related violence along the Mexico-Guatemala border.

FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenango

Pay particular attention to your security in the border areas with Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize.

Take care near the Belize-Guatemala border because of the ongoing dispute between the 2 countries. Use only officially recognised border crossings.

Ixchiguan and Tajumulco

There is a risk of violent crime in the municipalities of Ixchiguan and Tajumulco in the department of San Marcos. If you plan to travel to these areas, get advice from PROATUR, Guatemala’s tourist assistance service (see Getting help for contact details), including whether current conditions mean it is safe to climb the Tajumulco volcano.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

Guatemala - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Guatemala due to high levels of crime roadblocks and demonstrations that occur throughout the country.

Regional risks

Regional advisories - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the following areas due to very high levels of violent crime:

Within Guatemala City:

• Zone 1
• Zone 3
• Zones 5–7
• Zone 18
• Zone 21

The following municipalities:

• in Guatemala Department: San Pedro Ayampuc Villa Canales
• in Escuintla Department: San José Siquinilá Tiquisate

Border crossings on the following highways:

• CA-01: La Mesilla border with Mexico San Cristobal border with El Salvador
• CA-02: Tecun Uman border with Mexico El Carmen border with Mexico La Hachadura border with El Salvador
• CA-10: Agua Caliente border with Honduras
• CA-11: El Florido border with Honduras
• CA-12: Anguiatu border with El Salvador
• CA-13: Melchor de Mencos border with Belize
• CA-13: El Corinto border with Honduras
• PET-13: El Ceibo border with Mexico

Border areas

Border areas often see higher levels of criminal activity and violence. Crime rates are high near all border crossings in Guatemala but are worse near unofficial ones.

Drug-related armed attacks occur in all departments close to borders. The southwestern department of San Marcos at the Guatemala-Mexico border and the area near the border with Belize are especially affected.

There is a heightened security presence at the official Guatemala-Mexico border crossings due to increased migration flows. Military and police forces conduct random vehicle searches along all borders. Wait times can be long.

Many border crossings close for lunch and at dusk.

If you cross a land border:

• cross only at official borders crossings
• account for possible delays
• avoid travelling after dark
• always remain vigilant

Crime

Violent crime

Violent crime occurs frequently throughout Guatemala. Incidents include:

• murders
• armed robberies
• kidnappings
• assaults, including sexual and physical assaults
• carjackings

While most crimes are drug- and gang-related, travellers have been attacked, sometimes at tourist sites. Criminals perceive foreigners as wealthy, making them targets of violent crime.

Some criminals also pose as police officers. They may tell you they are drug enforcement officers and then take you to a side road where they steal everything from you. Victims who have resisted have been injured or killed.

Due to a lack of resources within the police force, arrest and detention rates are quite low. There have been incidents involving police officers who commit petty crimes, while other officers have been linked to human trafficking and drugs.

During your stay:

• always be aware of your surroundings
• avoid walking in isolated areas after dark
• travel in groups
• avoid using your cell phone in public

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs frequently, especially:

• in urban areas
• at markets
• at national parks
• around volcanoes
• close to airports

Petty crime tends to increase before, during and after celebrations.

Criminals are increasingly using distraction tactics and operating in groups, often on motorcycles. A common method involves two individuals on a motorcycle approaching pedestrians or drivers stopped in traffic to demand cash and valuables. These individuals may be armed with pistols or knives. If victims resist, there is a serious risk of injury, including being shot or stabbed.

During your trip:

• keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place
• keep a digital copy of your identification and travel documents
• do not show signs of affluence or wear expensive jewellery, especially upon arrival at the airport, where travellers have been followed and robbed or carjacked en route to Guatemala City and Antigua
• do not carry large sums of cash or valuables unnecessarily
• do not resist an attack
• stay in accommodations with adequate security measures

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