URGENT: Safety in Guatemala- Should I cancel trip? | Guatemala - Lonely Planet Forum

ONLINE

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 23:22:14 +0000

Hi.

We bought our plane tickets to Guatemala, and paid for our hotels.

We knew Guatemala was dangerous, and were planning to just be there a week, and stick to the major tourist sights of Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and Tikal. We knew Guatemala was dangerous, and to be extra safe, we were only going to stay in the best hotels. Panza Verde in Antigua agreed to pick us up at the airport. We were going to have a special escort service (USA diplomats use them) to take us to the lake, and we were going to fly to Tikal and stay at the Camino Real Tikal. We were not going to do any hiking, or partying at night, or do anything at night but stay in our hotel.

But we suddenly find ourselves in a panic as to whether we should go.

Every search of the internet reveals more and more horror stories and freightening statistics. The last straw was the post I read yesterday on this very website- Thorn Tree- about the tourist van that was kidnapped, where the female tourists were raped and the men assaulted and robbed. According to the post, there were suspicions that police and driver were involved in the crime. And this happened just a few months ago, in September 2014. It appears to be a completely lawless country.

I know sh-t happens anywhere, but a lot of it happens in Guatemala.

For years I've dreamed of traveling to Guatemala. I've backpacked throughout Mexico, SouthEast Asia, Europe, etc. But I'm honestly scared. Terrified. But cancelling the trip will cost me hundreds of dollars. I'm sick over this.

Please advise. If I am going to cancel trip must do it sooner rather than later. (tomorrow).

Thank you.
2loca.

1

ONLINE

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 23:49:25 +0000

Hi,

Don't panic!

There's a school shooting every months or so in the USA, but kids not stopped going to school and are not scared to go there.

Of course you can read many true horror stories about Guatemala, but there are about 1 million visitors a year. How many of them get killed, kidnapped or raped? 10? How many get robbed? 10 thousand 100 thousand? That seems like a lot but it still means that 90% of the tourists have no problem whatsover.

to be extra safe, we were only going to stay in the best hotels.

If you're scared don't go. It's not a holiday when you're constantly scared, although you could think about this before booking the trip.

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2

ONLINE

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 23:49:27 +0000

I think you are over reacting. 98% of tourist visit Guatemala and have no issues, period. You don't have to stay at expensive places, in fact, you can stay anywhere you budget allows, from hostels to Inns, small Posadas or where ever the taxi drivers suggest in your budget.

What are you worried about? Every country in Central America has crime issues, but they rarely effect a tourist. Chicago has a crazy murder rate, highest in US, would you not visit Chicago? Safety is all relative.

There are few if any reports of travelers having issues on this forum, or Trip Advisor, other than random theft/muggings that happen everywhere...

Adventure Travel to Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, South Africa, Morocco, Turkey, EU, USA National Parks, enjoying culture, cuisine, motorcycling, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, rafting, hiking, fishing, camping, nature, wildlife. Get a Guidebook, and get lost!

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3

ONLINE

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 00:12:05 +0000

Fake.

We knew Guatemala was dangerous,

Lies.

Folks, don't be provoked. This is someone without much better to do on a Friday night. Deplorable, really.

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4

ONLINE

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 00:36:11 +0000

Yeah, I didn't realise at first sight that this is a troll pulling our legs.

We were going to have a special escort service (USA diplomats use them)

Mega LOL

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5

ONLINE

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 01:42:48 +0000

We were going to have a special escort service (USA diplomats use them) to take us to the lake, and we were going to fly to Tikal and stay at the Camino Real Tikal. We were not going to do any hiking, or partying at night, or do anything at night but stay in our hotel.

Very wise, that's how I spend my holiday's, hiding in a hotel. Consider body armor and a helmet.

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6

ONLINE

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 02:15:26 +0000

Don't cancel the trip, one thing you can do to reduce risk. That is to refrain from travel at night. During the day is less hazard.

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7

ONLINE

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 02:33:48 +0000

Actually, Costa Rica has crime issues involving tourist, more than Guatemala, if you want worry..but I guess the million a year tourist to Guatemala all survived just fine, and the 2 million a year that visited Costa Rica...

Adventure Travel to Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, South Africa, Morocco, Turkey, EU, USA National Parks, enjoying culture, cuisine, motorcycling, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, rafting, hiking, fishing, camping, nature, wildlife. Get a Guidebook, and get lost!

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8

ONLINE

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 02:36:51 +0000

Some bad advice here... special escort services should only be used at night. The trip should definitely be canceled.

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9

ONLINE

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 11:23:05 +0000

Even Eddy hasn't been around since 2002 when the OP joined- guess they must have woken from a Troll snooze...

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