{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/guatemala/quetzaltenango","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T18:06:10.289Z","place":{"city":"Quetzaltenango","country":"Guatemala","countryCode":"GT","lat":14.84462,"lon":-91.52316},"safety":{"score":54,"level":"MODERATE","answer":"Mostly — take normal precautions","saferThanPctOfCountries":47,"confidence":0.85,"caps":[],"databaseScore":53,"travellerSentiment":{"score":59,"label":"Cautious","summary":"While direct traveler sentiment for Quetzaltenango is not readily available, the overall safety index and crime statistics for Guatemala suggest a cautious approach is warranted.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":45,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":62,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":50,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":59,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":60,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":64,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":3,"label":"Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts","updated":"2026-07-29T15:39:54Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guatemala"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":2,"label":"Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","updated":"2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/guatemala"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":23.3657267272051,"display":"23.4 / 100k","year":"2023","score":22,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":10.9,"display":"10.9%","year":"2017","score":72,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0,"display":"0 recorded","year":"2021","score":100,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":12.6,"display":"12.6 / 100k","year":"2021","score":59,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":62.3112389,"display":"62/100","year":"2024","score":62,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":40.4032981,"display":"40/100","year":"2024","score":40,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":28.6604826,"display":"29/100","year":"2024","score":29,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":33.6586778,"display":"34/100","year":"2024","score":34,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":49.9827169,"display":"50/100","year":"2024","score":50,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":48.6097484,"display":"49/100","year":"2024","score":49,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":180706,"display":"181k residents","year":null,"score":84,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"sexual_violence","label":"Sexual violence (past year)","value":0.3,"display":"0.3%","year":"2019","score":98,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.1,"display":"0.10 / 100k","year":"2024","score":91,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":25,"display":"25.0%","year":"2019","score":50,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":107,"display":"US AQI 107 · Unhealthy for sensitive groups","year":null,"score":63,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":4.452452606,"display":"4 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2023","score":30,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":22,"display":"July: highs ~22°C · wet spell","year":null,"score":92,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":1,"display":"1 active alert · Earthquake (green)","year":null,"score":58,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":2,"display":"Level 2 — Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","year":null,"score":72,"source":"Government of Canada"},{"key":"research_robbery_risk","label":"Mugging & robbery risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_pickpocket_risk","label":"Pickpocketing & theft risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_sentiment_score","label":"Visitor safety sentiment","value":45,"display":"45 / 100 (Cautious)","year":null,"score":45,"source":"City Web Research"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[{"kind":"Earthquake","severity":"green","title":"earthquake (Magnitude 5.9M, Depth:35km) in Mexico 28/07/2026 05:35 UTC, 2.4 million in MMI IV.","distanceKm":133}],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Quetzaltenango requires a high degree of caution for travelers due to elevated crime rates and institutional weaknesses.","summary":"While Quetzaltenango is not explicitly mentioned in the most severe travel advisories, Guatemala as a whole faces significant safety concerns, including a high homicide rate and issues with rule of law. Travelers should be aware of petty crime and the potential for more serious incidents, particularly in less populated or poorly lit areas.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"While specific robbery data for Quetzaltenango is limited, the national homicide rate and crime index suggest a moderate risk of mugging, particularly in less secure areas or at night."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common risks in crowded tourist areas, markets, and public transportation hubs."},"safeAreas":["Centro Histórico","Zona 1"],"avoidAreas":["Areas near the Mexican border (as per FCDO advisory, though not directly in Quetzaltenango)","Isolated areas within Zona 3 after dark"],"scams":["Overcharging by taxi drivers, especially from bus terminals.","Distraction theft, where an accomplice distracts you while another picks your pocket."],"zones":[{"name":"Centro Histórico","level":"safe","note":"Generally safe and well-trafficked, but be aware of pickpockets."},{"name":"La Terminal","level":"caution","note":"Busy market area, prone to pickpocketing and petty theft; exercise vigilance."},{"name":"Zona 1","level":"safe","note":"Central zone, considered safe for general daytime activities."},{"name":"Zona 3","level":"caution","note":"Residential area with some commercial activity; exercise caution, especially after dark."},{"name":"Cantel","level":"caution","note":"A nearby municipality; while generally safe, be aware of your surroundings and avoid isolated areas."}]}}