Reconsider Travel
“Reconsider travelto Guatemala due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have higher risks.”
Updated Thu, 12 Mar 2026
Full advisory →Is Guatemala City safe? 🇬🇹
Guatemala · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Guatemala City scores 42/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. No — Guatemala City is not safe for casual visitors; reconsider travel due to high violent crime and active travel warnings. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Guatemala City 🇬🇹
Guatemala · Assessed 28 July 2026
42
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~29% of countries
Score capped at 46 — Homicide rate 23/100k. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime43/100CautionCrime index 56.2 / 100
Sentiment44/100CautionMostly negative
Advisories32Elevated
Stability60Fair
Health83Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenango Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these areas.”
Updated 2026-06-17T13:04:13Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Guatemala: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-24T10:38:07.5201739-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Homicide rate
23.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Guatemala23.4South Africa43.7
22
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robberies targeting visitors occur frequently in Zone 18 and other peripheral districts; stay within Zones 9, 10, or 14 after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded markets and public transport hubs, especially near the historic centre (Zone 1)
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
44/100
Reported feel38Mostly negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling unsafe walking alone after dark and recount frequent scams, indicating low perceived safety among visitors.
No — Guatemala City is not safe for casual visitors; reconsider travel due to high violent crime and active travel warnings.
Guatemala City carries a composite safety index of 42/100 (CAUTION) driven by a homicide rate of 23.4 per 100k and a crime index of 56.2. Recent U.S. State Department alerts (July 2026) and FCDO advice cite pervasive gang violence, armed attacks on police, and frequent robberies, making the capital one of the riskier Central American capitals for tourists.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026U.S. Embassy issued a security alert warning of possible armed confrontations between gangs and police in Zone 18— U.S. Embassy in Guatemala (.gov)
- Jun 2026Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection published a guide stating Guatemala City is a high‑risk destination for 2026 travelers— Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
- Apr 2026Newsweek reported updated U.S. travel warnings for Central America, highlighting increased gang activity in Guatemala City— Newsweek
Common scams
- Express kidnapping and fake police impersonation
- Taxi scams using unmarked or white cabs
- Credit‑card skimming at ATMs and restaurants
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Guatemala City is not safe for a casual visit. The multi‑database profile gives it a composite safety index of 42 / 100 (CAUTION) and caps the score at 46 because of a homicide rate of 23.4 per 100 k, well above the global average. The U.S. State Department’s Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory (updated 12 Mar 2026) and the UK FCDO’s “against all‑but‑essential travel” guidance for several peripheral neighborhoods explicitly flag high violent‑crime risk. Recent alerts from the U.S. Embassy (July 2026) warn of armed clashes in Zone 18, and news outlets such as Newsweek (Mar 2026) and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (Apr 2026) consistently describe the capital as a high‑risk destination for 2026 travelers.
The live dossier confirms an active pattern of gang‑related violence, armed attacks on police, and frequent robberies in peripheral districts. Pickpocketing is moderate in crowded markets, while robbery—especially armed muggings—is high in Zone 18 and other non‑tourist zones. Scams targeting tourists include express kidnapping, fake police impersonation, and taxi fraud; using only hotel‑arranged or licensed yellow cabs mitigates this risk. Travelers who stay in the well‑patrolled business districts of Zones 9, 10, and 14 report feeling relatively secure during daylight, but most describe a low overall sense of safety and avoid walking after dark.
Practical Advice
1. Stay in Zones 9, 10, or 14—these neighborhoods have a visible security presence, upscale hotels, and reliable taxi services. 2. Use only licensed yellow taxis or ride‑share apps; never accept rides from unmarked white cabs. 3. Limit cash and keep valuables hidden; carry a photocopy of your passport rather than the original. 4. Avoid nighttime travel outside your hotel; if you must move after dark, use a pre‑arranged private transfer. 5. Steer clear of Zone 1, Zone 18, and any area near unofficial border crossings, where gang activity and armed robbery are most prevalent.
By confining yourself to the designated tourist corridors, using vetted transportation, and maintaining a low profile, you can reduce exposure to the city’s most common threats, but the overall risk remains elevated and should be carefully weighed before planning a trip.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Guatemala City districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Guatemala City safety map.
Zona 1avoidHistoric center with high gang activity, frequent armed attacks, and elevated homicide risk; avoid entirely
Zona 18avoidDesignated high‑risk zone by U.S. State Department; gang‑controlled and prone to violent incidents
Zona 9cautionGenerally safe during daylight for tourists but requires vigilance against pickpocketing and occasional gang‑related incidents after dark
Zona 10cautionPopular nightlife and hotel district; safe in well‑lit areas but watch for taxi scams and occasional street crime after midnight
Zona 15cautionEmerging commercial hub; safe in daylight but reports of petty theft increase after dark
Zona 2cautionMixed commercial/residential area; moderate crime rates, advisable to stay alert and avoid isolated streets
Zona 4saferUpscale residential and commercial area; strong police presence and low gang activity, suitable for daytime visits
Zona 13saferQuiet, affluent neighborhood with hotels and embassies; generally safe but limited nightlife
07 · After Dark
Is Guatemala City safe at night?
Armed robberies targeting visitors occur frequently in Zone 18 and other peripheral districts; stay within Zones 9, 10, or 14 after dark
After dark, be most careful around Zona 1, Zona 18, Zona 9, Zona 10. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Guatemala City's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight42
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight42
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight46
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight42
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight46
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight43
09 · Questions
Guatemala City safety FAQ
Is Guatemala City safe for tourists right now?
No — Guatemala City is not safe for casual visitors; reconsider travel due to high violent crime and active travel warnings. Guatemala City carries a composite safety index of 42/100 (CAUTION) driven by a homicide rate of 23.4 per 100k and a crime index of 56.2. Recent U.S. State Department alerts (July 2026) and FCDO advice cite pervasive gang violence, armed attacks on police, and frequent robberies, making the capital one of the riskier Central American capitals for tourists. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Guatemala City should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Zona 1, Zona 18 as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Guatemala City?
- Express kidnapping and fake police impersonation
- Taxi scams using unmarked or white cabs
- Credit‑card skimming at ATMs and restaurants
How does Guatemala City compare with other places in Guatemala?
Guatemala City ranks #2 of 2 Guatemala destinations we've assessed, scoring 42/100. See the Guatemala safety overview for the full list.
How is this Guatemala City safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Guatemala safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: guatemala-city.json (CC BY 4.0).