Is Guatemala Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Is Guatemala safe for solo female travelers?
If you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, you might be wondering about safety, especially as a solo female traveler. I love Guatemala and I’ve spent multiple months traveling solo around the country.
Guatemala is an amazing destination in Central America. Located just south of Mexico, Guatemala is home to diverse landscapes and incredible culture. From picturesque colonial towns surrounded by volcanoes to ancient Mayan ruins hidden in the jungle, there’s so much to explore in this amazing country.
This guide contains all of my tips about traveling safely in Guatemala.
Overall, traveling solo in Guatemala can be a very safe experience, as long as you do your research, stay aware, and use common sense. Guatemala has a bad reputation for being “dangerous” but a lot of that is sensationalized. Personally, I always felt very safe in Guatemala and never had a bad experience.
Most of the Guatemalan people I met were very friendly, helpful, and respectful. As a solo female traveler, I experienced very little street harassment and unwanted attention in Guatemala.
That being said, I also followed these important safety tips:
1. Don’t travel at night.
Avoid traveling at night in Guatemala whenever possible. This includes flights that land in Guatemala City late at night, or buses and shuttles that travel throughout the night or very early morning.
There have been issues with crime and bandits stopping buses late at night. You also don’t want to be arriving in a new, unfamiliar destination after dark — it’s always worth traveling during the day.
2. Avoid walking alone at night.
Similarly, avoid walking alone at night in any destination. Even in a place like Antigua, which is a small, safe, walkable city that’s lively during the day, it can become quite desolate at night.
Uber is available in some destinations in Guatemala, including Antigua, and it’s very affordable. It’s always better to take an Uber back to where you’re staying rather than walk, even if it’s a short distance.
I would even recommend taking Uber instead of walking at night if you’re with another person. While crime is relatively rare, it’s far more likely to happen at night on a dark and empty street.
3. Guatemala City can be very sketchy.
I’ve traveled to many destinations all over Guatemala, and the only one that really feels sketchy is Guatemala City. Many people will advise you to skip it entirely, and that’s honestly not a bad idea.
Guatemala’s capital is by far the most dangerous destination in the country, and it doesn’t have a ton to offer to tourists. Many people land in Guatemala City and immediately head from the airport to Antigua, a charming colonial town an hour away that’s the most popular tourist destination in the country.
I don’t think you’re really missing anything if you do this and skip Guatemala City. If you do spend time in the capital, be sure to read up extensively on which areas you should avoid. Even in the safer areas of Guatemala City, you’ll want to be extra cautious and alert and only be out during the daytime.
4. Be careful with local buses.
Chicken buses are the main form of public transportation in Guatemala. These decommissioned American school buses painted in bright colors can take you pretty much anywhere around the country.
However, you should be careful with chicken buses when traveling solo, especially for longer journeys. There can sometimes be issues with petty theft onboard, or even bandits stopping the buses.
Personally, I only used chicken buses for shorter journeys and only when I was with a local or another traveler. I stuck to tourist shuttles when traveling between destinations, like Antigua and Lake Atitlan. These are definitely pricier than chicken buses, but worth it for your safety and peace of mind.
5. Research destination-specific safety.
Before you go anywhere in Guatemala (or the world, for that matter ), you should do your own research. I always spend some time researching destination-specific safety information wherever I go.
In Guatemala, most tourist destinations are safe overall. But it’s important to know the details. For example, Lake Atitlan is a super popular destination in Guatemala. Most of the towns along the lake are very safe. There are even some scenic hiking paths you can take between towns (but don’t do this alone!)
However, in some places, it’s not safe to walk or even drive between towns. For instance, the road between San Pedro and San Marcos can be particularly dangerous due to roadside bandits. Even locals will only take a lancha, or small boat which is a popular form of transportation on Lake Atitlan.
It’s important to do your research so you can learn specific details like this.
6. Watch out for pickpockets.
One thing to be cautious about in Guatemala is petty theft and pickpocketing. This can happen to you at pretty much any tourist destination in the world, and Guatemala is no exception.
In particular, be vigilant when you’re in a crowded situation. Bustling markets, busy central plazas during a festival or event, and packed chicken buses are all prime targets for pickpockets.
Always stay aware of your surroundings and keep a tight hold on your belongings. For women, I recommend a small cross-body bag or shoulder bag that you can keep zipped shut at all times.
7. Stick with other travelers.
Just because you’re traveling solo doesn’t mean you always have to be alone.
As a solo female traveler, I found Guatemala to be an excellent destination for meeting other travelers, many of whom were also solo female travelers. There’s a big backpacker trail in Guatemala and it’s easy to meet people by staying in hostels, doing group activities, or even on tourist shuttles between destinations.
There are some activities I wouldn’t have felt comfortable doing on my own in Guatemala (mainly involving long walks or hikes, or traveling to more remote destinations) but I always found it easy to do things with a group, whether by booking a group tour or meeting other travelers organically.
8. Learn some Spanish.
I have to admit that knowing Spanish probably helped me a lot in Guatemala (and everywhere else I’ve traveled in Latin America.) I think this is a big factor in why I feel so comfortable in the region.
I’m not fluent by any means, but I speak and understand enough Spanish to get by in most situations. If you don’t speak Spanish or feel a little rusty with your high school Spanish skills, the great thing about Guatemala is that it’s one of the best destinations in the world for learning Spanish!
There are tons of Spanish schools that offer super affordable one-on-one lessons, along with cultural and social activities, homestays, volunteering, and more. I spent 1.5 months in Guatemala taking intensive Spanish classes in both Antigua and Xela. Lake Atitlan is another good destination to learn Spanish.
Knowing the basics of Spanish will help you a lot in Guatemala. Outside of popular tourist destinations, English is not widely spoken, and knowing Spanish can make you feel more comfortable.
9. Avoid drinking the tap water.
When it comes to travel safety, we can’t overlook travel sickness! One of the quickest ways to get sick in Guatemala is to drink the tap water — don’t even think about drinking it.
Instead, I recommend getting a LifeStraw water bottle. You can fill it with tap water and the filter in the bottle makes it drinkable. I’ve traveled with mine all over the world and have never gotten sick. This is also a more environmentally friendly option than buying bottled water all the time.
10. Be careful with food.
Another thing to be careful with in Guatemala is food. Food hygiene and safety standards are not always what you might be used to at home, which can lead to frequent stomach problems.
Fresh fruit smoothies, or licuados, are very popular in Guatemala, and I had some delicious ones, but I’d be very careful with these. The same goes for fresh cut fruit, which is often washed in tap water.
You should also be wary of street food in Guatemala, especially meat-based dishes. I’m a vegetarian so I haven’t had problems with this, but sometimes meat can spoil if it’s been sitting outside all day.
I definitely recommend traveling with plenty of Pepto Bismol tablets in Guatemala.
11. Always trust your instincts.
Finally, one last tip I’d give solo female travelers is to always trust your instincts.
This goes for traveling in Guatemala or anywhere else in the world. Listen to your intuition because it can alert you to dangerous situations before your brain can process what’s going on. If something feels off to you or you don’t feel at ease somewhere, pay attention to your instincts and get out of there.
If anyone is making you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to be rude and remove yourself from the situation as fast as possible. Your safety comes first above politeness or anything else.
Is Guatemala Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Is Guatemala safe for solo female travelers? Overall, the answer is yes!
I spent several months in Guatemala traveling all over the country, and I never had any issues. In fact, I felt very safe the whole time and didn’t have any uncomfortable or sketchy situations at all.
It’s definitely possible to travel safely in Guatemala, even as a solo female traveler. Guatemala is a wonderful destination in Central America that you shouldn’t miss! Just be sure to follow these safety tips.
Related Guides:
- Where to Go in Guatemala: 7 Best Destinations
- Where to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala
- 7 Best Hotels in Xela, Guatemala
- Where to Stay in El Paredon, Guatemala
- 7 Best Hotels Near Tikal, Guatemala
- Where to Stay in Semuc Champey, Guatemala
- Where to Stay in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
- How to Make Friends While Traveling Solo
