North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We continue to advise against all but essential travel to neighbouring Honduras due to the ongoing political crisis where the situation remains unpredictable and may change very quickly. Although elections are due to take place on 29 November as normal, further political debate is still required by the Supreme Court and Congress to bring an end to the crisis. Demonstrations or public gatherings are also possible in the day leading up to, on Election Day and afterwards. As a reaction to this neighbouring countries (El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua) may close land borders and stop air links at short notice. The curfew previously in place in Honduras has been lifted, but could be reintroduced at any time should there be a change in the situation in Honduras.  Anyone intending to travel to or through Honduras should contact his or her travel operator for further advice and to keep abreast of the situation by monitoring local media, the FCO’s Travel Advice on Honduras and by checking our Embassy’s website at www.ukinguatemala.fco.gov.u k.
  
  
• On 4 November a foreign tourist was shot whilst taking a taxi tour of Puerto Barrios after disembarking from a Cruise Ship. Passengers and visitors from Cruise Ships are advised to only take recognised tours from the Cruise Ships and that they confirm their tour itinerary with the boat, port authority or with the Guatemalan Tourist representatives (INGUAT and ASISTUR).
  
  
• There has been a reported threat of possible kidnappings of foreign tourists in the Department of Izabal, especially in and around the towns of Puerto Barrios and Livingston, by local indigenous groups who are intent on using this as an ongoing method to draw attention to local grievances. In March 2008 4 Belgian Tourists were kidnapped in Rio Dulce for this reason.
  
  
• There has been a reported outbreak of Dengue fever in the Department of Izabal, especially in and around the towns of Puerto Barrios and Livingston. There are confirmed cases of Classic dengue and Dengue Hemorragico. You are advised to take additional health precautions against mosquitoes and be advised that the authorities are publically spraying a mixture of insecticide and diesel to combat the outbreak.
  
  
• We advise against climbing the Tajumulco volcano in San Marcos or visiting the surrounding area due to unrest in local communities involved in land use disputes. There have been several armed attacks on tourists climbing Pacaya, Agua and Acatenango volcanoes. We recommend you only climb these, and Fuego, Santiaguito, and Tacana as part of a group with a professional guide and in daylight hours.
  
  
• Since 4 April 2009, there have been a series of earth tremors throughout the country measuring above 4 on the Richter scale. Please continue to monitor our travel advice before travelling to Guatemala.
  
  
• Since March 2009 there has been an increase in violence with co-ordinated attacks on buses, which has left over a hundred dead.  While foreigners and tourists are not directly targeted, you should remain vigilant at all times in urban centres and crowded public areas.
  
  
• There continue to be armed attacks on tourists travelling to/from and around major tourist sites such as Antigua, Tikal, Peten and Lake Atitlan. The most recent involving a British National was on 3 November on the road to Tikal. You are advised to avoid the Godinez by-pass via Patzun between Guatemala City and Panajachel. You should use the Pan American Highway to Solola instead. The road between Cocales (Suchitepequez) and San Lucas Toliman (Atitlan) should also be avoided where possible. Tourists have also been attacked on minor roads around Lake Atitlan, and in particular the road between Santiago Atitlan and San Pedro. There are frequent boat services between the towns and the lakeshore, which may be a safer alternative.
  
  
• There has been an increase of "express kidnappings" at ATM machines, petrol station forecourts, and shopping centres and of robberies in and around the area of the airport, zone 10 and Los Proceres Boulevard. We advise caution in these areas; and keep cash and valuable items out of sight. Please see the Crime Section for more details.
  
  
• Large demonstrations occur throughout Guatemala, often with little or no notice, and can cause serious traffic and other disruptions. Although most demonstrations are peaceful, they can turn violent, and you should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place. See the Political Situation section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• The rainy season in Guatemala normally runs from June to November, coinciding with the hurricane season in the Caribbean.  Seethe Natural Disasters (Rainy Season/Landslides) section of this advice and our Tropical Cyclones page for more details.
  
  
• We advise against travel on public buses (i.e. repainted US school buses) for security reasons.  There have been reports of violent muggings, including rape and assault against foreigners on these buses. Private inter-city coach services are not included in this restriction and are generally a safer alternative. See the Local Travel (Public buses and coaches services) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• 12 British nationals required consular assistance in Guatemala in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (3 cases); hospitalisations (2 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (2 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (29 cases). The risk of violent crime, such as armed robbery and mugging, is real and there have been armed attacks in daylight hours at tourist sites. Travelling at night or visiting remote places on your own greatly increases the risk of you becoming a victim of crime.  See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and our Travel insurance page for more details.