Here are 11 things you should never, ever do in Guatemala.
- Don’t take photos of locals without asking.
- Don’t get scammed at the border.
- Don’t skip Guatemala City.
- Don’t assume ATMs will be around.
- Don’t wear sandals to Tikal.
- Don’t be scared of the police.
- Don’t expect good coffee to be ever-present.
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What are some bad things about Guatemala?
Public Security, Corruption, and Criminal Justice
Violence and extortion by powerful criminal organizations remain serious problems in Guatemala. Gang-related violence is an important factor prompting people, including unaccompanied children and young adults, to leave the country.
What places to avoid in Guatemala?
Avoid the known crime hotspots in Guatemala City: Zones 1, 3, 6, 18 and 21. Several tourists have reported being robbed at gunpoint while climbing the volcano at Volcan de Agua and also on walking tracks throughout the country. Tourist buses and shuttle buses are occasionally robbed at gunpoint.
Is Guatemala safe for tourist?
Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America, one of the world’s highest homicide rates and a very low arrest and detention rate. Most incidents of violent crime are drug- and gang-related. They occur throughout the country, including in tourist destinations.
How bad is life in Guatemala?
Guatemala suffers from a serious housing crisis. More than half of citizens have inadequate housing and land rights remain an issue, with around 1 percent of the population owning 60 percent of the land. Many families live in homes with dirt floors with parasites which cause different illnesses.
Why is Guatemala so violent?
According to the US Department of State, Guatemala’s high murder rate is caused by four principal factors: an increase in drug trafficking; a growing prevalence of gang-related violence; a heavily armed civilian population; and a weak and incompetent police/judicial system.
What are some taboos in Guatemala?
11 Things You Should Never Do in Guatemala, Ever
- Don’t take photos of locals without asking.
- Don’t get scammed at the border.
- Don’t skip Guatemala City.
- Don’t assume ATMs will be around.
- Don’t wear sandals to Tikal.
- Don’t be scared of the police.
- Don’t expect good coffee to be ever-present.
- Don’t assume everyone speaks Spanish.
Does Guatemala require a Covid test?
All passengers 10 years of age and over arriving in Guatemala by air and land are required to obtain one of the following; A negative COVID-19 PCR or an Antigen test within 72 hours prior to check in at the airport, or arrival at the land border; or.
Is Guatemala poor?
Poverty in Guatemala is disproportionately high for the country with the largest economy in Central America; while Guatemala had a Gross Domestic Product of $75.62 billion in 2017, it also has the second-highest level of poverty in the Americas. Since 2006, poverty has grown.
Is Guatemala City Safe 2021?
Guatemala is not the safest country to visit. It has extremely high crime rates, of both violent and petty crime. You should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of something wrong happening.
Is there a curfew in Guatemala?
A mandatory curfew is in place, which now lasts from 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. each day.
What language do they speak in Guatemala?
Spanish
What is the safest zone in Guatemala City?
Zone 10
Zone 10 is the safest area of the city.
Is Guatemala rich or poor?
Measured by its GDP per capita (US$4,603 in 2020), Guatemala is an upper middle-income country. However, the economic stability and upper middle-income status have not translated to a significant reduction in poverty and inequality.
Is Guatemala a friendly country?
After the decades-long civil war that ended in 1996 but stained the country with a reputation for violence, Guatemala has had a slow political and economic recovery. Throughout the 21st century, it’s grown as a tourist destination, and Guatemalans often extend warm and friendly welcomes to visitors.
What is the biggest problem in Guatemala?
Public Security, Corruption, and Criminal Justice
Violence and extortion by powerful criminal organizations remain serious problems in Guatemala. Gang-related violence is an important factor prompting people, including unaccompanied children and young adults, to leave the country.
How many people are murdered in Guatemala?
Homicide rate in Guatemala from 2014 to 2020 (in number of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants)
| Characteristic | Homicides per 100,000 inhabitants |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 21.5 |
| 2018 | 22.4 |
| 2017 | 26.1 |
| 2016 | 27.3 |
How many people are killed in Guatemala?
An estimated 200,000 Guatemalans were killed during the Guatemalan Civil War including at least 40,000 persons who “disappeared”.
| Guatemalan genocide | |
|---|---|
| Deaths | min. 32,632 Maya, min. 42,275 total 166,000 Maya |
| Perpetrators | Guatemalan government, local militias |
What is Guatemala known for?
Guatemala is best known for its volcanic landscape, fascinating Mayan culture and the colorful colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But this small Central American country has a wealth of homegrown produce and talent.
What are 5 interesting facts about Guatemala?
11 Surprising Cultural Facts You Didn’t Know About Guatemala
- The national bird lends its name to the Guatemalan currency.
- Guatemala means “land of many trees”
- It has been inhabited for 20,000 years.
- 22 languages are spoken in the country.
- The CIA overthrew a socialist government in 1954.
What are some Guatemalan beliefs?
Religious Beliefs In Guatemala
| Rank | Belief System | Share of Population in Contemporary Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Catholic Christianity | 50% |
| 2 | Protestant Christianity | 37% |
| 3 | Atheism, Agnosticism, or Irreligion | 11% |
| Other Beliefs | 2% |
