Is Guatemala safe for US travelers?

Anyone on here in Guatemala? US advisory is at 3 of 4 and says reconsider travel due to Crime and Covid.

My ex is about to head there and is super naive so I am trying to help, but is it safe for a naive white woman to travel solo there? She doesn't know anyone and is going to try to find vendors for her interior design business.

She says she has made some connections with companies, but I can see it being a scam.

Last time I was there was over a decade. Missions trip.

Personally, I couldn't imagine going alone, especially as a woman.

If she wasn't solo, it'd be a bit better the further from the main city. Folks were welcoming in out lying towns, but near the airport, they were ready to even take our bags off in unmarked white vans.

But again, this was over 10 years ago. Take what I say with a grain of salt.

Safe? Who cares about safe?
Safe is for wusses.

I was in rural China in 2014, far off the beaten trail. I'd never felt safer.

I was down the road the other day here in Ghetto City, Wisconsin and was probably within an inch of my life.

The same 2014 trip in China my travel partner was robbed right next to me and we were covertly sized up and "interviewed" by Chinese political officers.

I ride my bike with my son all the time around were I live.

Safety is an illusion.

a reply to: Tempter

Guatamala

Violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder, is common. Gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, and narcotics trafficking, is widespread. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.

travel.state.gov...

Don't be a wuss.

Probably alot safer than a trip to Detroit or Atlanta

Sounds crazy stupid to me, going by herself #1 and #2 can't any of this be done through the internet, video conferencing #3 what the hell is in Guatemala that you can't find anywhere else for an interior decorator? I've seen complete lines being designed in the US and being manufactured in China or Mexico, without having to leave your office any company worth a damn will send samples and all the information and paraphernalia you will need.

I'd tell her to at least find somebody to go with her and do some major background checks on whoever she is going to see.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: Tempter

Guatamala

Violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder, is common. Gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, and narcotics trafficking, is widespread. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.

travel.state.gov...

Don't be a wuss.

Sounds like Milwaukee!

I should think the question is whether Guatemalans would be safe from American travellers.

Potential carriers of what the world has come to refer to as 'the American virus' are not welcome in most places these days.

Was there late 90's, there was bar in Guatemala city called el estabule run by a ex Led Zepplin roadie named Hogar. He had a huge amount of vinyl records and could pull out every album you could name. I turned in 75 dollars and got stacks of local cash, lived like a king for a weekend.

a reply to: Vasa Croe

She's going to have a bad time. Or a good time depending on what she's into.

Don't be surprised if you never hear from her again.

I have traveled alone many times both for business and pleasure, it wasn’t unusual to find me knocking around in jeep somewhere in the Yucatán. Confidence and self reliance are your friends. Ask your self, would she be at home in a Detroit subway in late afternoon ? Has she ever been to Central America? I don’t mean the resorts of Cabo, that’s an illusion, ten clicks out side of town, well then things get real, and it’s probably safer. The predators hunt the fringes where the money is. Most of the time it’s just some fast talking guy working a con. They take advantage of the travellers that are a bit out of their element, but there are plenty of dangerous people, and everyone will be after a pale American.

There is safety in numbers. Traveling alone is a risk anywhere, especially for a woman. It’s Central America, no one will care about her American rights. The US embassy may as well be on the moon, it will be of little help if she get into trouble. If she is street smart, doesn't flaunt wealth, and is mentally tough she may be ok. The odds of an incident are high. What if she gets sick? I’m not talking about COVID-bs, but one of many travel born sickness. Strange foods, impurities in the water, it’s a lot to consider traveling alone. Poor roads, public transportation, or a woman alone in a taxi can be a problem.

Then there are the dangers you see on the US news, the drug cartels, sexual assault. If she stays away from the night spots and isn’t looking for the drug seen, that shouldn’t be much of a problem, unless she stumbles into a battle. Except for the cartels and the cops, firearms are very rare compared to the US. Of course the favourite weapon is the machete.

There is a lot to think about. Many of the places I have been, and traveled with impunity, I wouldn’t go to right now on a bet.

a reply to: Vasa Croe

State Dept. They will advise the traveler whether safe or not.

Whatever they say....do it. Or not. Right now, prob not.

a reply to: Vasa Croe

The last time I traveled to that country was about 3 years ago. There are a lot of good people there as well as bad ones. There was a gang member that had a conscience approached me in one city while I was out looking for groceries that warned me it wasn't safe even for locals and advised me to go back to the hotel before dark. That night I heard sporadic gunfire. At several rest areas off the highways I spotted empty shell casings laying about. I made a point to pick up the newspapers in each city to see what was going on. In the bigger cities, there were articles about how many bodies were found decapitated in rivers.

It is not safe there, but if she travels with a group and stays in areas for travelers there is a lot less risk. Going solo is inadvisable especially if she is going off the beaten path.

I have spent fair time travelling solo.
I also know how to take care of myself when sh!t goes wonky.
As it can do on occasion.