U.S. issues travel advisory to Central American tourist hotspot

You might want to think twice before traveling to this Central American tourist hotspot.

The U.S. Department of State recently issued a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory to U.S. travelers thinking about traveling to the Central American nation of Guatemala.

The advisory cautions travelers who are considering visiting Guatemala to avoid traveling to certain areas due to crime.

“Some areas of Guatemala have problems with gangs, robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking and violence,” the advisory reads. “Local law enforcement may not always respond well to serious crimes, leading to low arrest and conviction rates. While tourists are not usually targeted, they can still be victims of opportunistic crimes.”

There are some areas of Guatemala that are under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory, the highest level of travel warnings. They include the San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City and Villa Nueva.

Some areas frequented by tourists are still available for American tourists to visit, including Tikal, Antigua, Lake Atitlán and the Pacific coast areas in Santa Rosa and Escuintla.

The State Department advises those who do decide to travel to Guatemala to take the following precautions:

• Do not travel outside Guatemala City at night due to poorly lit roads and an increased chance of traffic incidents.
• Use certified tour guides and travel between villages by chartered boat when visiting Lake Atitlán.
• Do not swim in the Pacific Ocean because of strong currents.
• Never leave drinks unattended in bars and restaurants and decline invitations from strangers to private parties.
• Consider staying in hotels with secure parking, doormen and professional security staff.
• Use trusted taxi services such as Taxis Amarillo Express, Taxi Seguro or Uber, and only use INGUAT-approved taxis from the “SAFE” stand at the airport, hotel taxis or vetted private drivers.
• Avoid public transport and white car taxis, as well as “chicken buses.”
• Do not hike trails or volcanoes without a qualified local guide as robberies can happen and getting help can be difficult.
• Avoid using public ATMs, and do not wear expensive watches or jewelry, as that can increase the chances of theft.
• Avoid using cellphones in public.

You can find more ways to stay safe if you’re traveling in Guatemala here.