According to the World Bank, Guatemala is a Central American country and is considered an upper-middle-income country.
It has the largest economy in Central America, a population of 17 million citizens, and a GDP of US$77.6 billion (2020).
Guatemala is undoubtedly a beautiful country with many spectacular sites to visit and things to see.
It is home to many ancient Mayan sites, volcanoes, and rainforests.
But a dark cloud sits over this country: a high violent crime rate.
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10 Safest Cities in Guatemala
Guatemala has a very high crime rate.
Petty crime occurs mainly in tourist areas, while dangerous crimes occur more frequently in high-crime areas.
However, it has happened before that violent crime spills over into a tourist area.
In addition, the website explains that crime is expected to increase substantially over the next three years at 63 out of 100.
1. Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala was once the capital of Guatemala and reigned as the colonial capital until 1744 when a devastating earthquake destroyed the city.
Antigua, a small city with just under 50,000 residents, is situated in southern Guatemala.
Three volcanoes surround the city.
It is primarily renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings.
The city offers a comfortable climate and affordable cost of living.
It is considered one of the safest cities in Guatemala and seems very popular amongst tourists and those looking for a beautiful, peaceful place to retire.
The crime index for the city is 47.99 out of 100, and the safety index is 52 out of 100.
The most significant crime trends are bribery and corruption, vandalism, theft, and stolen items from cars.
The site indicates that most people feel safe walking around during the day and moderately safe walking alone in the evening.
However, some very serious natural disasters pose a real threat.
Fuego is an active volcano located close to the city.
The volcano explodes about five to nine times in an hour, releasing only fumes of smoke.
The last significant eruption was in 2018 and claimed thousands of innocent lives.
2. Chiquimula
Chiquimula is situated along the San José River in southeastern Guatemala.
The city is rated as one of the safest cities in Guatemala.
Chiquimula has a crime rating of 30.88 and a safety index of 69.12.
Most tourists feel safe while traveling in Chiquimula.
There is little fear of being mugged, robbed, or becoming a victim of violent crime.
The crime rate has been relatively stable over the past three years.
It is reasonably safe to walk alone during the day and moderately safe at night.
However, caution should always be exercised when traveling in a foreign country.
Assault, robbery, and vandalism are moderate concerns in the city.
3. Panajachel
Panajachel is considered to be one of the safer towns to visit in Guatemala.
It is situated west of Guatemala City in the Guatemalan Highlands and on the northern shore of Lake Atitlán.
It is a very popular tourist destination and is a well-developed town.
There are a lot of resources available to locals and visitors.
Remember that while the crime rate in Panajachel is low due to the high volume of tourists in the area, reasonable caution should still be exercised.
There are very few reports of robberies, muggings, or theft in the area.
Walking around alone at night is not safe, especially if you are a woman.
You should be pretty safe when walking around during the day.
Try to stay in groups when traveling and dress conservatively.
Do not be flashy.
Apart from the crime index, Panajachel is a lovely town with a pleasant climate.
4. San Pedro la Laguna
San Pedro la Laguna is another town on the shore of Lake Atitlán.
The town is located on the southwest side of the lake.
San Pedro la Laguna has become a significant tourist destination due to its location and nightlife.
It is situated on the lake and near a few volcanoes.
There are very few incidents of violent crime in the area.
Tourists mostly claim to feel safe during the day but advise against walking around at night, especially after 10 pm.
Always remain vigilant, regardless of the safety index of a foreign city.
Numerous incidents of tourists being robbed on nearby hiking trails with a machete and/or machine guns have been reported.
You may want to avoid hiking alone or hiking in groups altogether.
5. Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango is a small town in Guatemala surrounded by mountainous valleys.
It is located in the Guatemala Highlands, approximately northwest of Guatemala City.
It is a beautiful and historic Mayan town.
This is a small but busy town with a lot of locals and tourists moving around the town.
The town has seen an increase in crime over the last three years.
However, there are certain areas where you will most likely not run into any trouble in this town.
The town hosts a weekly market where you can purchase high-quality handmade arts and crafts.
One thing to remember: you may risk becoming a pickpocket victim with all these people traveling through the city and the market.
Always remain vigilant.
The town has a crime index of 59, meaning you should be relatively safe here during the day, provided that you stick to the tourist areas.
There are, however, reports of violent crimes in certain crime hotspot areas in the town.
Avoid walking alone at night altogether as you will more likely than not be robbed.
6. Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango is located in Guatemala’s Western Highlands.
Beautiful volcanoes from part of the town’s majestic backdrop.
It is a significant tourist destination due to the nearby volcanoes.
The town does have several incidents of crime, which are more isolated than the norm.
Generally speaking, though, there isn’t much to report regarding robberies, muggings, theft, or petty theft.
However, caution should always be exercised.
Travelers are safe to travel here during the day and night.
It is considered to be one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in Guatemala.
7. Flores
Flores is situated in the northern Petén region of Guatemala.
The town is located on an island in Lake Petén Itzá.
It is a quiet and peaceful town and is considered one of Guatemala’s safer towns.
While the town may not experience a lot of crime, there are a few incidents in the nearby towns of robberies, ambushes, theft, pickpocketing, and other types of property and violent crime.
Traveling to Flores, you may want to opt to use public transportation instead of a rental, as there are several reports of people being stopped and ambushed while driving rentals.
8. Santa Elena
Santa Elena is also known as El Peten.
Flores is an extension of Santa Elena.
Santa Elena is situated on the mainland, and Flores is a town on an island just off Santa Elena.
We’re not going to say that this is one of the safest towns, but it is relatively safe compared to the rest of Guatemala.
There have been reports of crimes committed against tourists.
These include muggings, theft from cars, and pickpocketing.
However, as previously mentioned, there have been more frequent reports recently about armed gangs that ambush buses, vehicles, and vans in and around the town.
It is best to avoid traveling at night in this area.
You will also find excellent restaurants and hostels in this area.
9. Monterrico
Monterrico is situated on the Pacific coast of Guatemala.
This beautiful town is known for its volcanic black sand beaches.
The town sees a significant annual influx of sea turtles and is known as a weekend getaway for those living in Guatemala City.
This small beach town mainly relies on tourists to generate income.
It is generally safe here, with few reports of serious crimes apart from petty crimes.
And, while the town may be pretty safe during the day, this may not be the case at night.
Especially in areas that are poorly lit.
You may want to avoid traveling at night.
Be careful, though; there are pretty strong currents on the beaches.
10. Livingston
Livingston is a reasonably safe place to visit.
It is a town in eastern Guatemala, located in the Gulf of Honduras.
Livingston is not a big tourist destination as it is not easy to travel to this location.
It brings together Latino culture and Caribbean charm.
You can only get here by boat.
It is a unique town that is rich in history.
You may notice that the atmosphere here is very relaxed and laid back.
There are violent and property crime incidents, and you should exercise reasonable caution when visiting the town.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Guatemala
- Never wear flashy clothing or jewelry.
- Always keep valuables in a safe place out of sight. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
- If you are being robbed or mugged. Do not resist. It can be extremely dangerous.
- Remain vigilant at all times, but there is no need to be paranoid.
- Always thoroughly research an area and its crime statistics to better prepare yourself before traveling.
Guatemala Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Guatemala Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the top tourist attraction?
The Mayan Ruins.
What food is popular in Guatemala?
Beef, chicken, pork, rice, beans, and tortillas.
What is Guatemala known for?
The country is known for its various volcanoes and Mayan culture.
Does anyone know if Genova, Guatemala is safe or not?
Learning about the safest cities in Guatemala gives me peace of mind and helps me plan my next adventure with confidence. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve been planning a trip to Guatemala, safety is my top priority. Reading about the safest cities in the country is incredibly helpful and reassuring. I can’t wait to explore these beautiful destinations knowing I’m in good hands.
Safety is often a concern for travelers, but knowing the safest cities in Guatemala makes planning my trip much easier. I appreciate the detailed insights and recommendations provided in this blog. Can’t wait to experience the beauty of Guatemala safely!