Guatemala is situated in what used to be the heart of Mayan civilization. Although long gone the Mayan culture is still vibrant in the country and the region. Even though Spanish is the official language there are over 21 Mayan languages. Although Guatemala seems like an amazing place to explore there are some serious hazards awaiting tourists.

Traveling info

All travelers visiting Guatemala require a valid passport upon entry. There are also visa requirements however several nationals are exempt from obtaining such document. Guatemala is also part of the CA-4 or the Central America Border Control Agreement which allows the nationals of Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua travel within their borders for up to 90 days without a visa. Visitors of the CA-4 can also apply for a 30-day extension. Tourists who choose to drive need to have a valid driving license and an international driving license which can only be issued in the same country their driving permit was obtained by the local driving department. The right-hand side is used for driving.

Traveling hazards

Driving in Guatemala requires one’s full attention. The roads are not considered safe and are generally poorly maintained and paved. Road hazards such as road repairs, landslides, and drop-offs are generally not adequately signed, with rarely any warning of the danger ahead informing the drivers, guardrails are also very rare on roads. Local drivers are also contributing to the hazards. Road rules are rarely observed. Aggressive driving, speeding and general road rules are not obeyed. When driving in cities it is important to look out for pedestrians who jump out onto the road to cross to the other side. Drivers who are involved in a collision which results in injuries will usually be detained. There are no road assistance services with the exception of PROVIAL which is a branch of the police force that patrols the highways however they do not provide service for rural roads or road of lesser importance due to budget cuts. In case of a road collision and assistance requirement, it is best to dial 110 or 120 for the local police or 122 or 123 for the fire department. Public communication is widely available although it is commonly a place of crime. (see crime section)

Environmental hazards

Guatemala being a Central American state has lush rainforests which hide many different animals of which some may pose danger to humans. Jaguars are the largest mammals that pose a threat in Central and Southern America. Although their population is rapidly declining these large predators still roam the rainforests. Attacks by these animals are very rare and people are usually not their targets however fatal attacks have been recorded. The natives say people don’t have to fear jaguars as much, as long as capybaras are abundant. Another relatively large mammal that could pose threat is the coyote, although only two fatal attacks have been recorded which occurred in California. Attacks occur very rarely and usually don’t result in serious injuries. Due to Guatemala’s tropical climate critters, snakes and other venomous creatures are abundant. It is advised to avoid any if spotted. The most common and dangerous snakes and spiders include the coral snake, gushnayera, yellow bearded snake, the Godman’s montane pitviper and the Chilean recluse spider. Of course, it is worth mentioning that it is vital to protect against mosquito bites as these may carry malaria. Beaches in Guatemala are not as popular as in the Caribbean. Swimming on the west coast of Guatemala is recommended for experienced swimmers only. The Pacific ocean has a severe undertow that can snatch even the experienced swimmers. It is advised to swim only when the tide is low. Swimming after dusk is not advised due to increased shark activity moreover due to the possibility of a strong undertow.
Guatemala may be struck by various natural disasters. There are currently 6 active volcanoes, the most recent eruption took place in January 2018. Guatemala is also situated in the area of seismic activity which causes earthquakes to happen very often however the most recent major earthquake occurred in June 2017 with a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale. Minor hazards such as landslides may happen after heavy rains. The hurricanes that occur in the Caribbean region may affect Guatemala.

Health hazards

Visitors traveling to Guatemala from the countries with a risk of yellow fever must present proof of yellow fever vaccination. (List of risk countries in sources). There are several other vaccines that are recommended but not required. These include routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccine. There is also a risk of contracting malaria. Unfortunately, there is no approved vaccination against it however there is medicine on prescription. An alternative way to protect against contracting the disease is to use mosquito repellents. The Guatemalan healthcare system is in a rather poor state. Many hospitals are underfunded and lack supplies. Majority of specialists (around 80%) work in Guatemala City. Some physicians in Guatemala City and in Antigua will speak English, however, the vast majority will only use Spanish. Private hospitals and clinics will be in a better state however these will be more expensive. It is important to purchase health insurance that will cover all health expenses. Due to the lack of supplies in Guatemalan hospitals and pharmacies, it is advised to pack prescribed medicine which may not be available in Guatemala.
In case of an emergency dial 122 or 123.

Crime

Guatemala ranks top 10 among the highest murder rates in the world. The vast majority of these murders are attributed to the drug cartels and gangs mostly present in the areas that border with Mexico, in fact, many of these gangs moved down to Guatemala from Mexico fleeing the Mexican police crackdown on drug gangs. The local police are highly corrupted and unable to effectively deal with the gangs. In 2012 the government has opened 5 new military bases and deployed 21 thousand troops across 9 states to improve security. Although Guatemala is considered one of the most dangerous places in Latin America and the US travel advisory informs that travel should be reconsidered, the tourist spots are usually trouble-free. For a safe stay, certain precautions are advised. It is best to stick to tourist areas and avoid wandering around after dusk especially in non-tourist areas. Wearing flashy jewelry or being indiscrete with money can be very dangerous. Money belts are a good way of avoiding pickpocketing. It is also advised to avoid public buses. Theft, pickpocketing, armed robbery is common on buses, especially in Guatemala City. The safest way to travel around Guatemala City is by renting a car or a taxi.

Summary

Although the crime rates may put many visitors off, Guatemala is still an amazing destination with many incredible and unique attractions such as the ancient Mayan temple complexes that are not to be witnessed anywhere else. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.minex.gob.gt/Visor_Pagina.aspx?PaginaID=22
http://www.projectvisa.com/visainformation/Guatemala
(Vaccines)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/guatemala
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291
(US travel advisory)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/guatemala-travel-advisory.html