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Reports of sexual assault remain high.
Support for victims of sexual assault is lacking. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are prevalent in major cities and tourist sites, especially the central market and other parts of Zone 1 in Guatemala City. In a common scenario, an accomplice distracts the victim while an assailant slashes or simply steals a bag or backpack. There have been instances of narco-related homicides in this area, especially along CA Visitors are urged to fly to nearby Flores when visiting Tikal. Travelers should remain in groups, stay on the principal trails leading to the Central Plaza and the Temple IV complex, and avoid remote areas of the park.
To decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim: Do not use public ATMs. Only use ATMs inside secure bank lobbies or hotels. Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches. Refrain from using a cell phone on the street. A common crime against foreign citizens in Guatemala is robbery of cell phones. Carry a photocopy of your passport in case you lose your passport. Be aware of your surroundings. Report any crime incidents promptly to the police. Do not use local public buses.
Embassy personnel are not permitted to use any local buses. Public buses are subject to frequent attacks by armed robbers and often are poorly maintained and dangerously driven. Uber is also generally safe to use in Guatemala City and Antigua. Avoid low-priced public inter-city buses often recognizable as recycled and repainted U. Requests should be directed to the attention of the Coordinator of the National Tourist Assistance Program , and should provide the itinerary, names of travelers, and model and color of the vehicle in which they will be traveling.
The request should be submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail and should arrive at INGUAT at least three business days in advance of the proposed travel. Beware of strong currents, riptides, and undertow along Guatemala's Pacific coast beaches, as well as at Lake Atitlan. Lifeguards are rarely present.
Signs warning of treacherous surf are rare and confined mostly to private beaches owned by hotels. Multiple boaters in the Rio Dulce area of the Department of Izabal report having been victims of violent armed attacks while aboard boats. Potential for Natural Disasters: There are four active volcanoes in Guatemala. Volcanic activity has forced evacuations of nearby villages. Embassy personnel are not permitted to visit the Agua volcano due to the high incidence of robberies on the volcano.
In June , the National Assembly began formal debate on a proposal to establish legal recognition for same-sex marriage. Terrified residents fear their homes will be NEXT as extraordinary drone images reveal houses teetering on The reform, alongside others, caused massive protests that caused President Laurentino Cortizo to criticize the lawmakers and a committee was created to analyze the more polemic reforms. Uruguay's Chamber of Deputies passed a bill on 12 December , to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. They ask you to:. Make America Mate Again: Meet the unapologetic founder of right-wing dating app Righter, a glamorous Idaho mom who says conservatives 'have better sex than liberals,' and tells women: 'Close your legs' Christy Edwards Lawton, 41, launched conservative dating app Righter last month after a Republican New York model complained she couldn't find a date Christy, a banker-turned-elite-matchmaker, is an Idaho-based mother-of-two who says: 'Not on any level would I raise my daughter as a feminist' She says she has set up 20 marriages, including that of Boise architect Clayton Chaney, who says he agrees with her conservatism and 'family values' Christy tells DMTV that 'studies show conservatives have better sex than liberals.
Be aware of the possibility of earthquakes at any time and make contingency plans. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Guatemala are vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms from mid-May through November. Mudslides and flooding during the May to November rainy season often kill dozens of people and close roads. Particularly in small villages, residents are often wary and suspicious of outsiders. Avoid activities that might unintentionally violate a cultural or religious belief.
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In the past, Guatemalan citizens have been lynched for suspicion of child abduction. Keep a distance from local children and refrain from actions that could fuel such suspicions. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
Antidiscrimination laws exist but do not include specific protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity. There is general societal discrimination against LGBTI persons in access to education, health care, employment, and housing. LGBTI rights groups allege that police officers regularly engage in extortion by waiting outside clubs and bars frequented by LGBTI persons to demand that those engaged in sexual activities pay protection money or pay to avoid jail.
A lack of trust in the judicial system and a fear of further harassment or social recrimination discourage victims from filing complaints. Declare any amount of cash exceeding 10, USD that you bring into the country or the money may be confiscated by the authorities.
Contact the Embassy of Guatemala in Washington, D. The following diseases are prevalent: Zika Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U. Further health information: World Health Organization U. Travel and Transportation. Robberies of occupied vehicles are common in Guatemala City. Often two assailants on motorcycles pull up alongside a car stopped at a traffic light. The Inter-American Highway CA-1 and the road from Guatemala City to the Caribbean coast CA-9 are especially dangerous both day and night, due to heavy traffic, including large trucks and trailers.
Stay on main roads when traveling to and from Antigua and Lake Atitlan. Secondary roads in those areas are poorly maintained and have experienced higher incidents of robbery, rape, and armed assault. It is against the law for drivers to operate cellular phones while driving. Taxi Seguro can be reached at Taxi Amarillo Express yellow taxis is a radio-dispatch taxi service reached by dialing A Green Cab radio dispatch service operates in the suburbs near zone 15 and the Cayala entertainment and shopping destination.
Call us in Washington, D. Last Updated: February 28, Travel Advisory Levels. Assistance for U. Embassy Guatemala. AmCitsGuatemala state. Guatemala Map. View Larger Map. Be aware that drug offences can be dealt with severely and even the possession of some weed could land you in jail. At the first possible opportunity, get in touch with your embassy in Guatemala City and negotiate through them; they will understand the situation better than you.
If for any reason you do find yourself in trouble with the law, be as polite as possible. Tourist police forces have been set up in Antigua, Panajachel and Tikal, and English-speaking officers should be available to help you out in these places. Power — volts and plug connections two flat prongs are the same as North America. Anything from Britain or Europe will need a transformer and a plug adapter.
Cuts in the supply and fluctuations in the current are fairly common. Passport holders from other countries including some Eastern European nations qualify for a Guatemalan visa, but have to get one from a Guatemalan embassy or consulate. Citizens from most developing world nations, including much of Asia and Africa, need to apply for a visa well in advance.
You might try avoiding such payments by asking for un recibo a receipt ; but prepare yourself for a delay at the border. After days you have to leave Guatemala for 72 hours. In a so-called CA—4 Central American visa system was set up to facilitate visa-free travel in the four countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
When you entered the region you were issued with a ninety-day visa. However, at the time of research CA-4 appeared to be dead. But to be sure, if your Guatemala visa is coming to an end, extend it by travelling to either Mexico or Belize, which are outside the CA-4, or get an extension in Guatemala City. For a full list of Guatemalan embassies consult w minex. Homosexuality is legal for consenting adults aged 18 or over.
A comprehensive travel insurance policy is essential for visitors to Guatemala. Contact a specialist travel insurance company, or consider the travel insurance deal we offer. A typical travel insurance policy usually provides cover for the loss of baggage, tickets and — up to a certain limit — cash or cheques, as well as cancellation or curtailment of your journey. Many of them exclude so-called dangerous sports this can mean scuba diving, whitewater rafting, windsurfing and kayaking unless an extra premium is paid. Try to ascertain if your medical coverage will be paid as treatment proceeds or only after return home, and whether there is a hour medical emergency number.
Web services are very well established in Guatemala. Connection speeds are generally fairly swift in the main urban centres but can be painfully pedestrian in more remote areas. You can connect up to five devices at once. Self-service laundries are rare. Many hotels and pensiones also offer laundry facilities; the budget places often have a pila sink where you can wash your own clothes.
Postal services are quite reliable, though many locals use courier companies to send important packages and documents overseas. The best way to ensure speedy delivery is to use the main post office correos in a provincial capital. Generally, an airmail letter to the US takes about a week, to Europe from ten days to two weeks. Receiving mail is not generally a worry as long as you have a reliable address — many language schools and tour operators will hold mail for you.
The Poste Restante Lista de Correos system is no longer operational. Courier companies DHL, Federal Express, etc are establishing more and more offices throughout the region; even small towns now have them. Both are printed on waterproof, tear-resistant paper. Virtually all car rental outlets will provide you with a free map, though most are pretty ropey. At a scale of ,, these maps are accurately contoured, although many other aspects are now very out of date. But because fluctuations can and do take place, we have quoted all prices in US dollars.
At press time, the rate was Q7. Euros and other foreign currencies are tricky to cash; try foreign-owned hotels or stores. Beware expensive surcharges ten percent is sometimes added if you do want to pay by a card in many stores. Cashpoints ATMs are very widespread, even in small towns. Note that all currency exchange counters at Guatemala City airport were offering appalling rates see Museo Miraflores. At the main land-border crossings there are usually banks and a swarm of moneychangers who generally give fair rates for cash. Banking hours are extremely convenient, with many staying open until 7pm from Monday to Friday, but closing at 1pm on Saturdays.
Archeological sites are open every day, usually from 8am to 5pm, though Tikal is open longer hours. There are no area codes in Guatemala. To call a number from abroad simply dial the international access code, followed by the country code t. Local calls are cheap, and can be made from either a communications office or a phone booth buy a Ladatel phonecard. Many North American and European mobile phones, if unlocked, will work in Guatemala.
In indigenous areas and the countryside you should avoid taking pictures of children unless you get permission from their parents.