URGENT: Safety in Guatemala- Should I cancel trip?

Oh now I get it....I said "escort service"...but the OP called it an escort service. Its a service that escorts people?

This is indeed a strange case... a user created over 12 years ago with an apparently legitimate posting history posting a load of nonsense and calling Guatemala a "completely lawless country."

If genuine, OP, you are extremely misinformed – or just bad at gathering info – and need to go back to the drawing board. Saying "we knew Guatemala was dangerous" makes it seem like you don't know anything at all. Yes, there have been some isolated incidents out of over 3 million tourists per year, but come on... someone from a war-torn place like Uganda – home of one of the most infamous tourist massacres in recent memory – asking these ridiculous questions? It just sounds insincere. If you had really done research, you'd have found that 99% of posts say that tourists have no problem in the country, trip reports stating that people felt safe and had a great time, etc... instead of obsessing over one or two very unusual reports of problems.

It would be truly foolish to stay in your hotel at night when you're in safe, vibrant atmosphere like this, but everyone has different tastes. If you're really serious about Guatemala, do some REAL research and enjoy yourself... if you're not able to get a grip, then I do agree that cancellation would be the best choice.

....it seems I can't refer to the diplomatic protection service by the 'e' word AS USED by the OP in his original post. Blimey...I would have thought that was more of a problem on the Thai branch- but REALLY mods??!

Somebody might need to Escort you to the front of the thread...

My post #20 has now been allowed, but not #15....sheeesh...

I sincerely apologize if I offended by my use of the phrase "lawless country."

What I meant to say-- is that I have become very stressed about traveling to Guatemala because the numerous posts I have been reading that state that the police work in cohots with the criminals and that over 90% of murders are not prosecuted and that when they are, the criminals can buy themselves off because the judicial system is so corrupt. I interpret such a situation as "lawless."

But countless of people have told me that Guatemala is magical. And I believe them!!! I want to go! But the issue of crime keeps rearing its ugly head. And I'm scared.

The reason I am so torn is because I do believe that the country Guatemal and its people are beautiful. I finally put my fears aside and booked the trip, but the fears return the more research I do on the internet. I turned to this board for reassurance- not to offend.

Again, thank you to all who responded in good faith.

...and are you still going to use a special er...esc....er...protection service to get you to the lake??

the numerous posts I have been reading that state that the police work in cohots with the criminals

Where are you reading these "posts?" Links? Out of 1000's of posts on Guate, the vast, vast majority point out how safe the country is, and how safe people feel, and there are just a tiny handful of people who experienced security problems.

but the fears return the more research I do on the internet

Research: you're doing it wrong.

Poster- In Central America, the police rarely solve murders, or anything else. If you can't handle it, then don't go. The odds of you, or anyone you know, being the victim of violence is as slim you winning the lottery...

I live in New Haven , Connecticut . The FBI says it is the third most dangerous city.in the USa. No you can get robbed everywhere here. I often see cell phones get snatched from unwary Yale Students. This is right in center of the city. in the day time. Here no one takes out a cell phone in public or allows it to ring where others might hear it tipping off someone who wants to steal it and go a couple of blocks to sell it. The police do not walk a down town beat.. you are the mercy of demanding beggars if you are on the streets at lunch time. again the police do nothing about this. Where I work there is a van service to take employees to where they are parked to make sure that they get to cars safely. Your car can be broken into where you left it parked. I bring my lunch so I never have to leave the building at all during the work day.. I get let off and picked up. My house has been robbed three times over the years. . I wass held up at gun point some years back leaving my office a few blocks from my home. It is so much fun to have a 45 semi automatic stuck against your forehead. . I used the insurance money for a trip to Mexico from that incident.