What is the latest news on rebel groups and such out of Guatemala and is it safe for American Citizens there?

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jac

I am originally from Guatemala, but have lived in the US for 23 years now. I go back to visit at least once a year, and I can honestly tell you that it is safe to travel IF you use common sense. I have been to many cities here in the US, and I know that there are places in San Francisco where you shouldn't be, and there are certain neighborhoods in Washington DC that you should stay away from. I know this because my gut told me so, and some of these areas just did not look safe. Well, the same is true in Guatemala. My wife and I traveled there and played "tourists" a couple of years ago and we had no problems at all. I agree with the other postings in that it is safer to use one, not many, credit card for large purchases. My ATM card works in many banks around the major tourist areas, so I usually use it to withdraw $50 at the beginning of each day. There are many gas stations / convenience stores, like here in the US, from Shell and Texaco and such where you can use your ATM. I hope you decide to go to Guatemala. You will be fascinated and will fall in love with the country. If you go to Antigua Guatemala, be sure to check out Posada del Angel to stay ( http://www.posadadelangel.com/ ). It is a small B&B, but it is gorgeous, especially if you can reserve the Rose Suite - you will be transported to another world if you are able to stay there, I promise. Anyway, I hope this lengthy response helps.

nice chick

I have been there. It is a dream come true speaking of nature and culture.I love it infact I could live there if I had a bit of money. For safety puposes it is best to take credit card and travellers checks like anywhere in the world. It is best if you find accomodation in Zona 10 which is the address for the touristic places. That entire area is safe safe guarantee. From there you can take a tour to mayan ruins, volcanos,mountains, rivers, just paradise found places you know. Some trips can take 2 or 3 days so you enjoy them like TIKAL. You know there are the wonders of the world well there is a water sancutary in Coban called chemuc champey which is a wild river coming straight at you where you are standing but in reality you are standing on top of a huge rock like a foundation and the river goes into a cave right under your feet.This smae place has about 8 waterfalls with individual ponds of fresh water to swim. some areas have trees on top so there is shadow.anyways guatemala city (zona 10) has its own beuty but from there you can visit a tour place that can take you to Coban (a state of guatemala) which is 3 hours away by bus and from there you can go to chemuc champey another 2 hours. By the way coban is beuatifull and safe.Culture there you see the native indians with all the colors. I encourage you to go it is worth it and it is safe you just have to start at the right place. check out www.guatemala.com then go to coban, chemuc champey and just for another 3 day adventure take a trip to TIKAL it is the ancient mayas best location. You'll get tired before you finish climbing the ruins. UNBELIEVABLE. I spend a long time in guatemala and I enjoyed it.

Carrie K

Yes - it is safe. My husband and I just completed a 44-day backpack trip through Guatemala (June/July 2006). We had no problems even in Zona 1 in Guatemala City. If you use the same common sense that you would when visiting large American cities, you will have no trouble.

We have posted photos and stories of our trip on our website: geocities.com/carrie_kinnison . Or do a yahoo search for the Adventures of Terra Firma, that's our boat name. We show up about 2nd in the list.

cmm

The guerrilla disarmed and signed peace accords in the early nineties, so you don't have to worry about that.
I've been to Guatemala several times. Really great place to travel to. Antigua is awesome. As for safety, it's like any other tourist destination. If you use good judgement, you should be fine. If you get in trouble, it will not be because you're an American, but because you're a tourist, and that can happen to you anywhere you go.

Blasphemer

Well, "rebel groups" been out of job since 1983. What's left is much more dangerous. High rates of crime, impovireshed teen gangs, police corruption and brutality and high officers of government and army implicated in drug, weapons and person smuggling, make the country a very dangerous one. However, there are another sides of the picture, like the warmth of the normal, working people; the landscape is simply unbelievable, the biodiversity and the cultural and historic heritage of Guatemala a must visit for any person in the world. Safety? It's up to you. Don't flash your dollars, use Credit cards with low credit limit, trust your traveler checks, don't show your photo & video equipment, try and rent a tourist shuttle to the turistic areas, and always keep your eye open for any strange events. And don't venture yourself alone at night in dark places. Good trip!

David C

So far, from what I have read it is safe. I have left you some resources for you to examine. One is from Travel Yahoo, and the other one is from the Department of State.

Hope it answers your question.

David

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