Should I go? How to travel.

[cally]

I'm planning to travel in Guatemala soon. I've been to many countries. This time I'm scared and thinking I should not go. The worry is that various groups rob, sometimes rape, tourists. Most guides say it is unsafe to take tourist buses and that you should take local buses and try to blend in. :eyes:

The State Department has warnings about Guatemala. American tourists are targetted. Basically, the gangs target tourists. The travel advisories tell you to pretend you are not a tourist. Leave the digital cameras at home. Don't wear running shoes. Don't have luggage that signals you are American. But....There is no way I can blend into a Latin American country. I'm a light skinned, middle-aged, American tourist. I could go and buy all local products and I would still be an American tourist.


So...would you go? I've never travelled where it's dangerous like this and I'm scared.

[2Design]

1. no I would not go at this time...

The world is angry at USA and they have lots of GOOD reasons to be.

Once Bush is out of office and we have time to calm the world that the maniac is gone.....then it MIGHT be safe to travel again....

[Guy_Montag]

2. Most people can tell the difference between...

the US govt. & the US people. For those that can't: sew a Canadian flag onto your pack.

On edit: Dress down - wear old clothes. Carry a spare wallet with $20 & a few out of date credit cards - hand it over immediately. Keep the rest of your money in a money belt, next to the skin.

FCO travel advice

www.fco.gov.uk

--snip--
Visitors to Guatemala should be on their guard and exercise great caution as violent crime is common throughout the country. In particular, avoid travelling at night or visiting remote places unaccompanied. Avoid demonstrations.

The vast majority of visits to Guatemala remain trouble-free.
--snip--

[radwriter0555]

4. Lonely Planet is a GREAT source for up to date accurate travel

info.

I suggest a visit.

Then I suggest you visit Guatamala. You're going to have a great time if you take simple, reasonable precautions.

Most people actually aren't out to get you, hurt you, rape you or rob you.

Once in a while some freaks ARE, and YOU are the one who can make sure you don't become a victim by employing common sense!

Enjoy!

[cally]

5. Much of this advice is from Lonely Planet

Don't wear running shoes. ???? Blend in. ??

I love to travel and I know how to take sensible precautions. I'm trying to figure out how to hide money all over yourself and your luggage if you are robbed. Armed robbery is very possible. I need $30 cash to leave the country so how do I make sure I have that? I think I can replace passports and tickets after a robbery but the cash is necessary.

[radwriter0555]

6. I've traveled all over the world and the only time I was pick pocketed

was on a train in Italy.

Just dress as low key as possible. Don't wear Tourist Black. Blend in, don't wear jewelry. I always make and take several copies of my passport and DL, and leave copies with accessible friends as well.

The fake wallet/purse is a really the best idea if you're CERTAIN you're going to be robbed.

I also hide my bankroll down my shirt/in my bra. We call it the Banko De Mammaria. You could also keep it in your undies. Just tape it to the top of your hip under your pants...

I tend to travel with several thousand dollars at a time, and like I said, the only time I ALMOST got nailed was on a train in Italy by a chick.

Be cautious of distractions is all. I think you're worrying too much.

[cally]

8. I've lost all my paper money and passports but I'm scared this time

What do I do during an armed robbery? I will try to blend in but that's just ridiculous. I don't look Mayan. I'm in my worry stage but I'm not sure this time that I'm worrying too much.

[HuckleB]

10. How often do these armed robberies occur?

Where do they occur? When? These are the things you have to know. Armed robberies have occurred throughout Central and South America for years. But, when it comes to tourists, the incidents aren't that frequent. Lonely Planet Ecuador had my wife scared shitless before our recent stay there, and that's not hard to do. Once we talked to people who had just been there, we realized that the book hyped things in an attempt to make sure folks were very careful. Once we got there, we realized that the hype about armed robbery was incredibly overblown. Of course, I can't say that the situation is the same in Guatemala.

Have you spent some time on LP's Thorn Tree? You should be able to get in contact with some travelers who've been to Guatemala recently.

[radwriter0555]

13. All the info on LP seems to be quite the opposite about Guatamala,

I'm there all the time checking various locales.

It'll be fine. Just go and enjoy yourself.

[HuckleB]

7. The part in bold is the key.

I think travel guides are getting more and more worried about lawsuits, so their warnings get more and more adamant. Of course, "the vast majority of visits to X," almost always follows those warnings.

The truth is that I don't know if it would be any safer to travel in the States than it would be to travel to Guatemala. Bad things happen everywhere.

[Guy_Montag]

11. FCO travel advice about the US

The US Government's general threat from terrorism in the USA stands at "elevated". The US Government remains concerned about continued threats and in May 2004 announced that Al Qaeda could be planning an attack in the next few months. You should continue to expect more stringent security checks at airports and in other public buildings. You should be particularly vigilant in public places.

You should be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities. The US is a hugely popular destination for British travellers and the vast majority of visits to the US are trouble-free.

[HuckleB]

9. Have you traveled lately?

Sorry, but it's not any different than it ever was. Sure, some people are assholes. They always were. Assholes are everywhere. Sure, thieves and rapists exist. Always have. You have to be careful, now, just like you did before and just like you'll have to in the future.

There are no guaranties, whether you stay home or go far away. That's life.

[cally]

3. I need advice..kick

:kick:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. I was there in the 80's..it's a beautiful country but the poverty is so

extreme I don't know if I'd got now...same thing was true of Rio when I was there...cabbies would shut off their lights to drive tourists through town at night so that we wouldn't be robbed or murdered.

My best advice is...if it's your time...you're going no matter where you are....some people survived the WTC attacks..some didn't....if you really have a drive to do it, see if you can meet a Guatemalen family via the internet or agencies in your area to minimize the risk...someone who KNOWS the place...don't do it on your own...there's a HUGE population from those countries and orgs in the bay area that can help you with this.

[jayavarman]

14. Dont Worry About It.

Well . . . . Let me clarify that, Where in Guatemala will you be going?? If you are going to Antiqua, Panahachel(sp? but lake atitlan), Xela (quetzaltnago), Huehuetenago, Tikal, etc . . I really wouldn't worry about it. Do you speak any spanish?

Having been to Guatemala recently, I question the 'all chicken bus all the time' advice, though . . . take one or 2 (or see the burnt out wrecked ones on the side of the road, these is probably still one in solola on the road to pana) & you will see what I mean.

It's really hard to give specific advice before knowing more about your trip . . . Where, why, with friends & for how long? If I know those things I can probably give you some good advice.

Guatemala is excellent . . . Don't listen to the 'the world hates us bla, bla, bla' from some on the board. If you are a traveller you will not find things too different than ever- other than more political questions/discussions.

Pleaserespond, I'd love to help you out.

[cally]

15. To be honest...I have no plan

I have the plane tickets and time. I 'planned' to just explore and I didn't do much research other than thinking about Mayan sites. I finally realized that just wandering around is probably not safe. I wou8ld love some advice.

[jayavarman]

16. Cool, I rarely have them either, other than things I want to see

How long are you going for?

You have to go to Tikal, then, for the maya sites & you have to go to Antigua, because it is an incredible place. By the way, I would recommend not even spending the night in Guat. City . . . .When your plane lands head straight for Antigua (only 30 40 minutes away but worlds apart & Beautiful

[cally]

17. I have a week

I want to go to Tikal and Antigua but I'm scared about transportation. How do I get there? I've read that taxis and tour buses are not safe so maybe take local transportation?

[jayavarman]

18. You have just emough time . . . .

I'm assuming you will be flying into guatemala city?

Your only option to do tikal and anything else is to fly to tikal (i think the express busses take like 24 hours if you don't fly & you don't wanna spend 1/3 of your vacation on a bus . . . god only knows how long the 'chicken bus' would take!)

Arrive in Guatemala City Immediately take taxi to Antigua. Antigua Guatemala is totally safe (although some sketchy things have happened to people hiking up the volcano outside of town) In Antigua you will be able to find travel companies where you can buy a plane ticket to Tikal. I think the tix are $75 - $90 each way, maybe an hour flight.

A week I would maybe do
day 1 arrive- go to Antigua
2 Antigua
3 antigua . . . . maybe more timein antigua, maybe check out other towns
4 you could go yourself or can book a cheap 1-2 day tour with other travellers
5 tikal
6 tikal
7 return from tikal fly home

After 2 days you will probably be tikal'd out . . . again, I've heard tales of people getting robbed when exploring the really obscure, out of the way, temples. On the major routes you will be fine- there are tons of people.

I think that's really the key, stay around others & use the same judgement you would at home . . . If get a bad vibe about a place, listen to it.

Are you going alone or with others?

[cally]

20. Thanks...

Are the taxi's safe? I've read warnings about them. Can I take one from the airport to Antigua? Otherwise, I'll take a bus.

I'm going with my teen daughter who is fearless. That worries me. She'll be staying there longer with a program but we plan a week of travel. I think I'll follow your plan and I appreciate the help. I may stay in Guat. City the first night because we arrive late.

[jayavarman]

21. More . . .

I think I arrived at 9:30pm in Guat & got to Antigua around 10-10:30. If you do something like that I highly advise making those 1st night's reservations ahead of time . . . we arrived on a friday & evidently alot of the more wealthy students from the city decend on antigua. . . Was not a crazy party scene or anything, & we never would have known they were there except for the fact that it was not easy finding a room that late at night. you will be ok if you call ahead & let a guesthouse know you are coming. I think we took some kind of small bus to antigua, like a tourist shuttlebus or something. Once you get to Antigua you will be walking everywhere anyway. I would not take a tourist bus (or any ground transport, really) to Tikal, as it goes thru the middle of nowhere for hours & there supposedly have been roadblocks. Again, FLY to tikal.

Look at the thorn tree at lonely planet.com for the latest scoop on how to get to antigua from the airport . . It was very smooth & easy. It will be difficult to navigate the chicken busses anyway, especially when you 1st arrive & dont know where you are going, where to change busses, etc. You will see what I mean when you see guatemalan 'local transport' think colorfully painted 15 year old bluebird schoolbussespacked to the gills & being driven crazily

It sounds like where you ae planning to go, and anywhere you would possibly go on a day trip outside of antigua, will be very safe . . . you will be treading in a well worn path so to speak.

[cally]

22. Again, thanks

You've helped me decide to go and given great advice. I'm now excited about the trip instead of scared. If you think of other ideas, please PM me. I wasn't looking forward to the chicken buses so I'm glad I can safely travel another way. Holding a chicken for many hours is just not fun.

[pmbryant]

19. Yow

I have no clue about travel to Latin American countries, but do wish you the best, whatever you decide. State Dept warnings would definitely give me great pause. Could you go to a different country in the same area that perhaps doesn't have any State Dept warnings? :-)

Have fun, and let me know what you decide to do!

:hi:

Peter