Are the Indians in Guatemala violent to tourists, or is it pretty safe to visit??

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HijoDelSol

They are generally non violent. However, if you go to a remote area and they think you are their to run drugs or kidnap children, they will turn violent. My suggestion would be to stay in more populated areas, or travel with a local guide.

Anamaria UK

I find your question to be somewhat exasperating, and I will tell you why. The "Indians", or indiginas as they prefer to be referred to, are one of the best reasons to visit Guatemala. They are an interesting people with a long and honorable history, descended from the ancient Maya whose civilization is legendary. Granted, if the ancient Maya would have gotten ahold of you they might have ripped your heart out. However, the modern indiginas in Guatemala occupy themselves with farming, creating lovely craftwork and fabrics for tourists to buy, and generally keeping to themselves and being law abiding except when someone tries to steal their children...then they tend to lynch the miscreants.

These people have just come out of a 30 year civil war in which more than 200,000 of them were slaughtered by a series of dictators who were trained and supported by the United States. They are exceptionally forgiving in the circumstances. Despite all this they are friendly and generally non-aggressive toward Americans. Do watch your step if you are wandering around where you shouldn't be; common sense should always prevail.

So, to answer your question, the indiginas should make your visit more interesting and colourful rather than less safe. My opinion is that if people would just be sensible and less paranoid they might get out into the world a little more often, thus resulting in more sympathy and understanding for other people. This might just lead to peace with our fellow man in future times. Like John and Yoko once said, give peace a chance!

DAG

Everyone turns violent if provoked, the "indians" are very friendly people and there are quite a few tribes, they all have some differences, what places are you willing to visit, perhaps I can enlighten you more on the subject...

The "Indians" are not violent, in fact, they are very friendly... they like to talk and they are very willing to help if you need it, specially with tourists. So yes, it's pretty safe!

If you harm someone from their tribe or kidnap any children, they could get violent as any other human being would do.

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