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I am taking a trip to Guatemala over the christmas break, and I read the
recent travel warning put out by the US State Department relating the attack
and rape of two minors, and increase in highway robbery. Has anyone been
privy to this in the country recently, and how seriously should I consider
postponing or cancelling my trip? I am going with my wife and obviously, as
a woman she seems to have a genuine concern about going. We will be in the
typical tourist towns, including Flores and Tikal... Any news about the
country in the past few weeks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

- John Armstrong

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I have no personal experience in Guatemala, but Central America is not
generally a safe area, especially if you compare it to Europe, Asia, or
even the USA. (Homicide rates in Latin America are high by global
standards). This is a long term problem, not likely to change much from
year to year. Some of it is the legacy of the civil wars in Guatemala
and other countries.

You might want to compare the US government view with that of other
governments. More info below. You should practice security, not travel
after dark, etc. The government travel advisories usually give specific
advice on how to travel more safely.

--------------------------------------------------------

There are several web sites with security information for
travelers and tourists. The ones that I am aware of are
listed below. I urge people to review the information on
these web sites, compare the recommendations of the various
countries to each other, and compare the various government
recommendations to any personal opinions expressed on the
internet.

The government web sites below include security and
other travel information for virtually all the countries in
the world, including each other.

USA - http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

UK - http://www.fco.gov.uk

Canada -
http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm

Australia -
http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice/advices_mnu.html

The following web sites offer personal or other views on
security.

Mexico Mike talks about security on Mexico's highways on
www.mexicomike.com

Personal reports for some countries in latin america are
available from the South American Explorer's club -
www.samexplo.org

Some travel agents and some employees of large companies may
have access to private security report services. Some
travel web sites will also have some limited security
information, such as www.latinamericatravel.com. Note that
most good guidebooks will also discuss security, and may
offer security advice specific to the town or area.

If you are aware of any other english-language security
information on the web, please let me know.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES

The Canadian information is also available in French, at the
website above.

The French government has their own web site with security
information, in French. http://www.diplomatie.fr/voyageurs

Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs - http://www.mae.es/

Germany -
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/...se_warnung_html

Richard Ferguson




John Armstrong wrote:
> I am taking a trip to Guatemala over the christmas break, and I read the
> recent travel warning put out by the US State Department relating the attack
> and rape of two minors, and increase in highway robbery. Has anyone been
> privy to this in the country recently, and how seriously should I consider
> postponing or cancelling my trip? I am going with my wife and obviously, as
> a woman she seems to have a genuine concern about going. We will be in the
> typical tourist towns, including Flores and Tikal... Any news about the
> country in the past few weeks would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> - John Armstrong
>
>

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On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 02:36:10 GMT, "John Armstrong"
<johnnyquattro@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>I am taking a trip to Guatemala over the christmas break, and I read the
>recent travel warning put out by the US State Department relating the attack
>and rape of two minors, and increase in highway robbery. Has anyone been
>privy to this in the country recently, and how seriously should I consider
>postponing or cancelling my trip? I am going with my wife and obviously, as
>a woman she seems to have a genuine concern about going. We will be in the
>typical tourist towns, including Flores and Tikal... Any news about the
>country in the past few weeks would be greatly appreciated.


Crime against tourists is a real issue in Guatemala, but it shouldn't
stop you from going. Despite the high crime rates, most people don't
have any problem. You can minimize the risks by (1) always wearing a
money belt, (2) don't take buses at night, and (3) when you're in
Guatemala City spend the extra money for a hotel in a safe area.

The US State Department warnings tend to overreact. If you took their
warnings seriously, you would never go to any developing nation.

The British government's warnings are much more reasonable. While
they give several cautions about the crime rate in Guatemala, they're
not telling British citizens to avoid going.

British FCO on Guatemala:

http://tinyurl.com/4lhuu

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Talk to the locals, hotel staff etc. They will happily tell you which places
to avoid and when. Being sensible is the key as always, especially with
what you are carrying. I never had any problems but I was always careful.
Mind you I didn't meet amyone else who had problems either.

I'm sure this applies equally to New York, London etc etc


Gareth.



"John Armstrong" <johnnyquattro@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:uwzld.21188$6q2.18299@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
>I am taking a trip to Guatemala over the christmas break, and I read the
>recent travel warning put out by the US State Department relating the
>attack and rape of two minors, and increase in highway robbery. Has anyone
>been privy to this in the country recently, and how seriously should I
>consider postponing or cancelling my trip? I am going with my wife and
>obviously, as a woman she seems to have a genuine concern about going. We
>will be in the typical tourist towns, including Flores and Tikal... Any
>news about the country in the past few weeks would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> - John Armstrong
>

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>I have no personal experience in Guatemala, but Central America is not
>generally a safe area, especially if you compare it to Europe, Asia, or
>even the USA.

Ya, you're right, I'd forget Guatemala. Hey you could go to France, or
maybe Norway ... wait ... do they have Mayan ruins or Latin American culture
in Norway??? Let me check on that and get back to you.

About 10 minutes ago I found out that a lady I know died over the weekend in
Egypt. She fell from some monument in a freak accident. Does Egypt have a
high murder rate, what about Washington DC or NY? But I guess that wouldn't
aply in this situation huh.

You live ONCE. Go to Guatemala, you'll love it. Be careful, but not
paranoid. Stay off the roads at night, stay low profile, avoid walking back
to your hotel alone at night, etc. The typical traveling precautions.

Have a good and safe trip.

Steve

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I'm just back from Guatemala. Never felt unsafe but just recently i read
that a Dutch tourist was shot there. I guess if you are on the wrong place
on the wrong time...
On my website http://www.dickprins.com you can find a report with many
pictures from that trip. Site is also in English.


"porter970" <porter970@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:10phlnoks84s8d@corp.supernews.com...
> >I have no personal experience in Guatemala, but Central America is not
> >generally a safe area, especially if you compare it to Europe, Asia, or
> >even the USA.
>
> Ya, you're right, I'd forget Guatemala. Hey you could go to France, or
> maybe Norway ... wait ... do they have Mayan ruins or Latin American
> culture in Norway??? Let me check on that and get back to you.
>
> About 10 minutes ago I found out that a lady I know died over the weekend
> in Egypt. She fell from some monument in a freak accident. Does Egypt
> have a high murder rate, what about Washington DC or NY? But I guess that
> wouldn't aply in this situation huh.
>
> You live ONCE. Go to Guatemala, you'll love it. Be careful, but not
> paranoid. Stay off the roads at night, stay low profile, avoid walking
> back to your hotel alone at night, etc. The typical traveling
> precautions.
>
> Have a good and safe trip.
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>

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I came back from Guatemala 3 weeks ago. i was in Antigua for 2 weeks
studying Spanish. Also traveled to Panajachel and Chichicastenango. I had
no problems and heard of none from others at my school.
"John Armstrong" <johnnyquattro@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:uwzld.21188$6q2.18299@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
> I am taking a trip to Guatemala over the christmas break, and I read the
> recent travel warning put out by the US State Department relating the
attack
> and rape of two minors, and increase in highway robbery. Has anyone been
> privy to this in the country recently, and how seriously should I consider
> postponing or cancelling my trip? I am going with my wife and obviously,
as
> a woman she seems to have a genuine concern about going. We will be in the
> typical tourist towns, including Flores and Tikal... Any news about the
> country in the past few weeks would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> - John Armstrong
>
>

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