Guatemala this summer??? Suggestions, good idea?

Hey All,

My family and I are thinking about going to Gautemala at the beginning
of June for roughly 2 weeks. My primary question/concern is what to
expect should we visit? This is in the realm of safety, urban
development, treatment of tourists (questions about what to see will
follow once we decide whether to go). I have been trying to read up on
the country and am getting mixed messages. I realize you can have
cases of theft, inhospitality in any country, etc., but sometimes it
can be more so in one country to the next.

Just to give a little background on the type of traveling we do. We
have visited several European countries (spain, portugal, italy),
Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico,and Asia. When we tend to travel, we like
to rent our own car, and visit the touristy sites (only becuase one
should while in the country), but fully enjoy doing the off-beaten
path kind of trips even more so... We really enjoying going to the
local markets, and really getting the feel of the country. We aren't
high-strung about staying to markets, hotels, sites, that are geared
soley to tourists. For example, when in Costa Rica, I was climbing
trees on the side of roads picking wild fruit (we were familiar if
they are unsafe or not), or buying local products from the artists
themselves rather than stores... The greatest attraction to Gautemala
is the spanish influence, as you can see from the coutnires we have
visited they are majority influenced by the spanish arts.

Any personal experiences, comments, etc. are greatly appreciated. We
are in the planning stages, and I really enjoy hearing what
experiences others have hand, especially more recent one.

I thank everyone in advance.

AJ wrote:
Just to give a little background on the type of traveling we do. We
have visited several European countries (spain, portugal, italy),
Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico,and Asia.

The personal security situation in Guatemala is worse than any of these;
only Jamaica comes close. Or the US, if you've been there (not sure where
you're posting from).

The greatest attraction to Gautemala is the spanish influence, as you can
see from the coutnires we have visited they are majority influenced by the
spanish arts.

While there is some well-preserved Spanish architecture in Guatemala, really
the special thing about the country is the indigenous culture. Guatemala is
unique in the world in the proportion of people who maintain traditional
ways, including colorful clothing which never ceases to delight the eye. The
indegenous people are a majority of the population.

Not many other countries where scenes like this occur perfectly naturally
(as opposed to being a put-on for tourists):

http://travel.u.nu/photo-gt-17.php
http://travel.u.nu/photo-gt-54.php
http://travel.u.nu/photo-gt-57.php

The people in Guatemala (other than the ones skulking around Guatemala City
after dark) are very warm and kind. Not like the middle east or southeast
Asia, but for this hemisphere it's very nice.

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/

I went there last year and had a great time. I suggest you stay in the
City as little as possible, unless you really like the city
atmosphere. I went to Panajachel and thought it was very beautiful and
very inexpensive. Dinner for 3$ US. It is on a nice lake in a crater.
You can easily spend a few days there.

Antigua is beautiful - good shopping and there is an excellent coffee
roastery in town. It is a Spanish town. Excellent restaurants too. If
I were to go, I would probably make my base camp in Antigua and do
trips to the other places.

If you want to go shopping, there is market day in Chichicastenango. I
wouldn't stay there, but do a day trip from Pana or Antigua on market
day.

I ran into people that went to Tikal and thought it was the best part
of their trip. I plan on going there next time I go.

Don't expect nice beaches, it is not a touristy place yet due to the
civil war they had for many years.

Be careful - there is a lot of crime. I did not have any problems, but
it can happen to anybody.



I adopted my son there last year and can't wait to go back and
introduce him to his native country.

Thanks for the responses... I am a little concerned about the crime.
We currently reside in the US, not saying it is the safest, but being
a tourist to an unfamiliar area, that seems to be quite underdeveloped
not sure comfortable I feel about traveling this year.

(Randy G) wrote in message . com...
I went there last year and had a great time. I suggest you stay in the
City as little as possible, unless you really like the city
atmosphere. I went to Panajachel and thought it was very beautiful and
very inexpensive. Dinner for 3$ US. It is on a nice lake in a crater.
You can easily spend a few days there.

Antigua is beautiful - good shopping and there is an excellent coffee
roastery in town. It is a Spanish town. Excellent restaurants too. If
I were to go, I would probably make my base camp in Antigua and do
trips to the other places.

If you want to go shopping, there is market day in Chichicastenango. I
wouldn't stay there, but do a day trip from Pana or Antigua on market
day.

I ran into people that went to Tikal and thought it was the best part
of their trip. I plan on going there next time I go.

Don't expect nice beaches, it is not a touristy place yet due to the
civil war they had for many years.

Be careful - there is a lot of crime. I did not have any problems, but
it can happen to anybody.



I adopted my son there last year and can't wait to go back and
introduce him to his native country.

You might be interested in the web sites below for more security
information. Pay special attention to specific crime areas and security precautions.

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

http://www.beingsafe.info/ claims to list global travel
advisories.

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/d...e_warnung_html

Richard Ferguson


AJ wrote:

Hey All,

My family and I are thinking about going to Gautemala at the beginning
of June for roughly 2 weeks. My primary question/concern is what to
expect should we visit? This is in the realm of safety, urban
development, treatment of tourists (questions about what to see will
follow once we decide whether to go). I have been trying to read up on
the country and am getting mixed messages. I realize you can have
cases of theft, inhospitality in any country, etc., but sometimes it
can be more so in one country to the next.

Just to give a little background on the type of traveling we do. We
have visited several European countries (spain, portugal, italy),
Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico,and Asia. When we tend to travel, we like
to rent our own car, and visit the touristy sites (only becuase one
should while in the country), but fully enjoy doing the off-beaten
path kind of trips even more so... We really enjoying going to the
local markets, and really getting the feel of the country. We aren't
high-strung about staying to markets, hotels, sites, that are geared
soley to tourists. For example, when in Costa Rica, I was climbing
trees on the side of roads picking wild fruit (we were familiar if
they are unsafe or not), or buying local products from the artists
themselves rather than stores... The greatest attraction to Gautemala
is the spanish influence, as you can see from the coutnires we have
visited they are majority influenced by the spanish arts.

Any personal experiences, comments, etc. are greatly appreciated. We
are in the planning stages, and I really enjoy hearing what
experiences others have hand, especially more recent one.

I thank everyone in advance.

Richard,

Thanks for your post, it didn't even occur to me to visit the various
country government agencies for their warnings. i had visited the US
state department, and hence the reason for my post. I was questioning
other experiences as the state department had put some cautionary
statements. From what I can gather driving especially at night isn't
always the safest, espe with the road conditions. Since this was a
primary charm for the vacation, we might hold off for a while

Thanks again

Anuj


Richard Ferguson wrote in message ...
You might be interested in the web sites below for more security
information. Pay special attention to specific crime areas and security precautions.

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

http://www.beingsafe.info/ claims to list global travel
advisories.

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/d...e_warnung_html

Richard Ferguson


AJ wrote:

Hey All,

My family and I are thinking about going to Gautemala at the beginning
of June for roughly 2 weeks. My primary question/concern is what to
expect should we visit? This is in the realm of safety, urban
development, treatment of tourists (questions about what to see will
follow once we decide whether to go). I have been trying to read up on
the country and am getting mixed messages. I realize you can have
cases of theft, inhospitality in any country, etc., but sometimes it
can be more so in one country to the next.

Just to give a little background on the type of traveling we do. We
have visited several European countries (spain, portugal, italy),
Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico,and Asia. When we tend to travel, we like
to rent our own car, and visit the touristy sites (only becuase one
should while in the country), but fully enjoy doing the off-beaten
path kind of trips even more so... We really enjoying going to the
local markets, and really getting the feel of the country. We aren't
high-strung about staying to markets, hotels, sites, that are geared
soley to tourists. For example, when in Costa Rica, I was climbing
trees on the side of roads picking wild fruit (we were familiar if
they are unsafe or not), or buying local products from the artists
themselves rather than stores... The greatest attraction to Gautemala
is the spanish influence, as you can see from the coutnires we have
visited they are majority influenced by the spanish arts.

Any personal experiences, comments, etc. are greatly appreciated. We
are in the planning stages, and I really enjoy hearing what
experiences others have hand, especially more recent one.

I thank everyone in advance.

AJ wrote:
Thanks for your post, it didn't even occur to me to visit the various
country government agencies for their warnings. i had visited the US
state department, and hence the reason for my post. I was questioning
other experiences as the state department had put some cautionary
statements. From what I can gather driving especially at night isn't
always the safest, espe with the road conditions. Since this was a
primary charm for the vacation, we might hold off for a while

Night driving is definitely not recommended in Guatemala, for a variety of
reasons. Nevertheless there's still a lot of charm to be had. Just don't
spend too much time in Guatemala City.

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/