Is it really that dangerous?

I really want to go to Guatemala sometime this year so I've been reading alot about it. I know anywhere you go there is always a chance of danger but I read so many assault stories already. Is there any places or tips to stay away from danger... and is it easy to get around in Guatemala?

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<hr>I read so many assault stories already.<hr></blockquote>

Good...you've been checking things out. Did you read all the assault stories that are posted on here? I really think you should scroll down and read all the assault stories that are posted daily on the Thorn Tree by people visiting Guatemala. What kind of a trend do you see in all those horrible stories here? Just go over the ones that have been posted in the past month. Pay particular attention to all the rapes and robberies in Antigua. The attacks by bandits on horseback on taxis going to Antigua from the airport are important to note. And of course the stories of the street kids in Pana setting that German woman on fire should give you some pause. Now after reading all those horrible stories from the last month, what general trend about danger in Guatemala do you see?

Homeland Security Advisory System
Current Threat Level
June 11, 2007 — The United States government national threat level Elevated, or Yellow.
The U.S. threat level is High, or Orange, for all domestic and international flights. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage.
See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines.
Recommended Activities
All Americans should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately.
Everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency.

In my five years here I've experienced some of the greatest times in my life and I've had the displeasure of having a few rotten times, too. For me it's been generally great!! I don't know how else to instill confidence in a traveler than to say just that. Sometimes life is bad, but for the most part it's been great for me here in Guatemala. It's really different here than my life in the U.S.A. and that's what I like about it and why I've chosen to live here. Compared to my life back in Seattle I think it might be considered a bit more dangerous here in some respects, but dammit it's so boring in the U.S.!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you come here and have a really great, wonderful and unique experience and that nothing bad happens. If something crappy happens I hope you take it as part of life in general and not blame it on "the Guatemalans."
It's easy to get around here. From hitchhiking to chicken bus to taxi to shuttle to motorcycle to two feet, etc. it's easy enough to get anywhere. For some people it's been hell to have come here as a traveler, backpacker business person or whatever. For most people it's been great. I think we can say the same about any place on the planet. Guatemala is the about the same size as a state in the United States of America in population and geographically speaking. Bad stuff happens and good stuff happens here just like in D.C., for example.

I suppose you must have already read this Thorn Tree horror story.

i have never felt threatened in guatemala. just don't do anything stupid and keep your eyes open. great country, great people.

I felt perfectly safe in Guatemala.

As in anywhere - don't go out late at night by yourself on a dark street. Try to travel with others.

The only place I avoided was Guatemala City. I'm not a big fan of cities in Latin America anyways.

Everywhere else was fine - and we covered almost every corner of the country!

Cheers,
Kay

Kay and Franks Trip to Guatemala

Besides the Capitols, as NYC Girl says, they are nobodys favorite....:(

I've spent a total of about 7 or 8 months in Guatemala and have never had a problem. Having said that, I've never felt threatened anywhere in the country except for Guatemala City. GC can be a very weird place and I definitely have gotten 'bad vibes' there on a number of occasions. I've ridden on the city buses a number of times and have seen problems almost every time. By all means, hang on to your stuff!

Always felt very safe and welcome.
Just observe the same caution you would anywhere else in the world. Don't wander alone around isolated places, especially at night (major touristy sites are ok). When you get to a city, ask your hotel about areas you should avoid going alone. Keep your valuables in an inside pocket and don't lose sight of your belongings when you're traveling on public buses. Dress conservatively and be polite but firm especially when male locals come to you. This country is not less safe than most other places in the world. Keep your guard high, but have fun!

Hey wait a minute! I'm in Guatemala right now! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Oh wait... It's beautiful! The Sun's out!! The birds are chirping and a nice breeze flitting around. Time to close this machine down, take my dogs to the lake and throw a stick around!!

Spent the last 2 weeks here, never once felt unsafe.
Learn as much spanish as you can, take guidebook suggestions very seriously (there are about a dozen specific roads or areas that seem to have so many reported robberies that they merit mention in the book), dont travel at night, dont wander the streets at night, walk in groups if possible. Most of these things are obvious, but to me it really seems a matter of luck too!

"safe enough" is a good phrase for GT & used alot here.
you don't say where you're from if Detroit much less crime, perhaps other non-urban places more. just depends where you're at & how careful you are. exactly as the folks above have said. if you've traveled mexico or so. america about on par.
some places even w/in a country, town, or block safer than others.

Bring gifts to thrust at those who attempt to attack you.This will alert them to your good hearted intentions and they will freeze up in amazement at your generosity.Remember to save a few for the cab drivers...perhaps balloons....or teddy bears.

Just took a taxi ride through Guatemala City, went to the mall and had lunch and then took a chicken bus down into Antigua. All of this with a laptop, iPod, not too much cash and a few changes of clothes. The most dangerous element of the journey... the earthquake in the mall during my Taco Bell meal.

Mojoguate....I see we live in GUatemala for the same reasons...I agree wholeheartedly that life in the USA is so predictable and dull...that certainly can't be said for life in GUatemala. I can't understand why Guatemala doesn't have a border problem with gringos flooding in. But I don't want TOO many gringos here, don't want it to become San Miguel Allende or like some other places in Mexico....maybe it is better if we tell everyone how dangerous it is in self-preservation.

On the chicken bus issue..there are more problems here right now on the route between Antigua and GUatemala CIty than normal, although the little outlying areas seem to be okay mostly...it all involves the city one way or another, but that "protection tax" the drivers have been paying has kept passengers from getting robbed...

I would avoid camionettas (chicken buses) on the route between Antigua and Guate for the time being anyway if possible. Use a tourist shuttle or taxi. Other than that, all the normal precautions available if one searches on here for prior discussions...

...#1 individual protection, use a moneybelt and split up your funds and credit cards....only carry a day's worth of money in a pocket or easily pickpocketed location.

Guatemala is as dangerous as most of third world countries, dont see much difference in all of them. Just try to look as normal as possible. Most dangerous is for locals, I wouls say. when the drugs will become allowed around the world and specially in the first world countries a lot of violence will stop in this poor third world countries that are used as a bridge to transport drugs to the big ones.
Just chill out while in Guatemala and pray to be safe wherever you go.
I have been robbed 3 times in my life, the 3 times have been in US Territory so .........

just be careful "WHEREVER YOU GO IN LIFE"

I just want to thank those who have contributed for their sensible and non-hystrionic advice. As someone who is traveling to Guatemala for the first time reports from the New York Times and the U.S. Government can be rather rattling.

#17-

The New York Times recommends in its Travel section almost 6 times in the last 12 months, Guat as a great destination...

If you are talking about recent articles on the gang issues, drug and narco terrorist issues, or the political issues, they all have little or nothing to do with a tourist going to Gaut?

The coverage in the NY Times is mainly negative is a Socio-Political sense, not for a traveler, if that were the case, then you would not want to drive acrosss any big bridges in the USA, as world coverage of the recent collapse in Minneapolis would make the USA not to great place for driving? Get my point....