Going to Guatemala for the summer?

Question

I was born in Guatemala but moved to USA about 10 years ago and haven't been back since, i'm now 23 and i'm planning on going for the summer and i've heard so many bad stories that i'm staring to get scare, specially becuase i'm taking my 3 year old litle girl. any places i should aviod?? or tips??

Answer 1

Here are a few places you need to visit. You will feel nervous when you first get to the airport. There is a balcony that overlooks the baggage claim where hoard of people gather. Use common sense, the same as you would in your hometown and you will be fine. Try not to travel after dark, that is when you are most at risk. The Pacific beaches are extremely rough and have strong currents. Not good for an adult, let alone a 3 year old. Lago Izabel is great because you can walk forever into the water and it's only knee deep on an adult.

Lago Atitlan (a lake surrounded by 3 volcanoes. There are several villages around the lake, the main tourist spot is Panajachel. Another is San Lucas Toliman. En route to San Lucas Toliman, you can stop by a hill where the car or anything will roll UPHILL.
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~raman/images/pic11.jpg

Semuc Champey. It takes a while to get there, but you won’t be disappointed. I’m planning on going down there this later this year for my 3rd visit. It gets more exciting and beautiful every time. Semuc Champey (a series of lagoons formed on a rock ledge over river that goes underground for 1/4 mile).
http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Norte/Semuc-Champey/blog-63.html

Tikal (Mayan Ruins) http://mayaruins.com/tikal.html

Antigua (Colonial City) http://www.aroundantigua.com

Some other places you may want to go are Puerto Barrios, Rio Dulce, Flores, Peten, Chichicastenango, Lago Izabel, Coban, Monterrico, Quetzaltenango and various places throughout Guatemala City. Enjoy the trip.

While you are going around the country here’s a website for lesser known hotels that are nice cheap stays.
http://www.guatemalastory.com/hotels/

Answer 2

Assuming you are not going to any remote regions with your little girl the most dangerous part of Guatemala by a long way is Guatemala City.

I suggest you have someone meet you are th airport (hopefully you have friends or relations who can do that or otherwise arrange for someone to do so). You are at greatest risk over 48 hours post arrival.

I think that if you stick to main tourist sites like Antigua, Chichicastenango and Lake Attilan you should be OK. Do not however go wondering away from busy areas - I doubt you will with your little girl anyway. I do however having her with you will afford you a bit of safety.

Guatemala is overall a beautiful country rich in many things and I hope you enjoy your stay.

Answer 3

I envy you. Guatemala is beautiful. We just adopted a 3 year old little boy from Guatemala. He came to America to live with us last September 30th. So, I went to Guatemala twice last year and stayed for a week both times. I fell in love with the country.

Antigua is a MUST SEE. It truly is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. You could tour there all day and still not see everything.

We stayed in Guatemala City both visits. As long as you don't go out after dark you should be fine. They have a wonderful zoo there. We took our 3 year old there both visits and he loved it. It is very clean and has alot of animals native to Guatemala that you don't get to see in the states. There is also a children's Science Museum across from the zoo (you walk across the street to it). It is VERY NICE. Our 3 year old had a blast in there. I was afraid it would be mostly "older" stuff, but they had a ton of stuff young enough for him to do. We stayed there until it closed.

If you have other people with you I suggest you go to the underground market. I wouldn't go there by yourself with your daughter...but if you are with others it is a fascinating place. You'll see all the crafts and foods of Guatemala. It's wonderful. Be sure you eat the fruit there (as long as it hasn't been washed in the water...don't drink the water). The fruit, especially the pineapple, will MELT IN YOUR MOUTH.

Oh my goodness, I envy you................

Have a great time.

Answer 4

Well! I live in Guatemala, and maybe if you want to be relax, you should try places less popular, I suggest if you have a 3 year old, if you want to go to the beach, go to the Atlantic Coast, Izabal, rather that Pacific, Puerto San Jose is going to be full because of the Gallo Evolution parties, the Irtra parks in Reu will be full as well, maybe places like Peten, Chichicastenango, Izabal, Quetzaltenengo, Mazatenango, and try to look at www.guateamala.com, places where kids would have fun, the city is going to be boring, unless you are catholic and really want to live the Semana Santa experience from a religious point, go to Antigua or stay at the city.

Answer 5

Avoid crowded places. In summer, you can go to the beach or IRTRA a recreational park in Retalulehu, pretty and great place. I recomend you that place because you travel with a 3 year old girl. And try to be with some other people, not alone.
And don´t be worried about crowded in IRTRA, summer here is not like in the US, so the children are still in school in summer time. But don´t go in weekends, just from monday to friday.

Answer 6

I'd avoid Guatemala City at all costs. Same goes for the Pacific coast. The rest of the country is simply fantastic. The more indigenous people you can have around you, the safer you will be.