The U.S. Department of State has issued a new travel advisory for US citizens planning to travel to Guatemala, urging them to reconsider their travel plans due to the increasing cases of crime in the Central American Republic.

The travel advisory, issued on December 30, 2024, places Guatemala under a Level 3 warning, considered the highest level of caution for travelers.

According to the U.S. State of the department, those traveling to Guatemala should avoid visiting the Huehuetenango Department (except the city of Huehuetenango), San Marcos Department (except the city of San Marcos), Zone 18 in Guatemala City, and the city of Villa Nueva due to heightened security risks.

These high-security risk areas are usually notorious for widespread gang activities, violence, and crimes, such as murders, extortion, armed robbery, narcotics trafficking, and carjacking.

Gang Violence and Crimes in Guatemala

Guatemala has experienced a surge in gang violence and criminal activities over the past decades. While the country is committed to tourists' security and safety, local law enforcement lacks adequate equipment and resources to combat serious crimes effectively. This results in low arrests and conviction rates, leaving most of the criminals roaming around scot-free.

Although tourists are not always the target of serious crimes, they can still be victims of opportunistic crimes, with pick-pocketing and bag snatching in urban areas, carjackings, armed robberies, and theft of personal identification numbers and credit cards being among the common risks international travelers should be aware of.

In addition to petty and violent crimes, Guatemala also has high reports of sexual assault, although not always a widespread occurrence. Despite these concerns, Guatemala is a relatively safe country for tourists and solo travelers looking to explore the country’s natural beauty, culture, charm, and tropical environment with caution.

As one of the popular tourist destinations in Central America, Guatemala attracts about 2 million visitors annually. The country has an elaborate tourist protection program called the Tourist Assistance Program (ASISTUR), which is dedicated to providing 24-hour routine guidance, security, and emergency assistance.

ASISTUR works with tourist police to provide security to tourists in popular destinations such as Antigua, Tikal, Quetzaltenango, Lake Atitlán, Coban, and Puerto Barrios. Additionally, they have a call center with agents speaking English and Spanish.

In case of any concern or emergency assistance, U.S. tourists can call 1500 from a Guatemala number or (502) 2290-2810. Alternatively, they can reach out to the emergency team via WhatsApp number +502-5188-1819.

Essential Safety Tips for US Travelers

According to the U.S. Department of State, US travelers should ensure their safety throughout the trip by taking various measures. Such measures include using certified tourist providers and chartered boats to travel between villages when visiting Lake Atitlán since the paths around the lake can be dangerous, hard to access, and difficult for emergency services to arrive quickly in case of any emergency.

Travelers are also warned not to hike trails or around volcanoes without the supervision of a qualified local tour guide to avoid falling into robbers’ traps. 

According to a warning issued by the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, Visitors are also advised to avoid traveling outside Guatemala City at night due to poorly lit streets that could pose a security risk. Instead, travelers should use secure transportation services like Taxi Seguro, Uber, or Taxis Amarillo Express.

Alternatively, travelers can use INGUAT-approved taxis only from the “SAFE” stand at the airport or hotel taxis. If those options are unavailable, travelers can opt for vetted private taxi drivers and avoid white cars taxis or “chicken buses.”

Travelers should also stay in hotels or lodging facilities with high-security standards, including secure parking, doormen, and dedicated security personnel, and avoid using public ATMs. They should also avoid displaying wealth and opulence by wearing expensive jewelry or smartphones in public.

With the heightened security risks, the U.S. Department of State encourages travelers to review the full Advisory before traveling and check the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City’s website for more information on safety, health, and local laws, as well as a guide to getting around.