The areas you're traveling to are relatively safe. Of the 7 countries in Central America, Belize is #3 for homicides, Guatemala is #4. In the world, they're much lower on the list. This is mostly attributed to the dangers involved with narco-trafficking. Tourists are sometimes victims of petty theft or robbery, but rarely if ever get caught in the crossfire of any violence. Violence here is gangsters killing gangsters or political / drug related killings. That's what makes the number so high. I'm an expat and I've lived here for years in Guatemala City. I walk everywhere every day and I've never once been robbed, threatened, or felt scared. As a tourist, the risk for danger is very low.
Avoid northern Guatemala like the plague.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/27...
The situation right now in Central America is getting pretty bad because of the Zetas. People are on edge. Also, avoid public transportation like the plague.
Guatemala is safe, belize i don't know.
As long as you take precautions, you should be fine. There definitely are some issues in Guatemala, but if you just check the embassy website, you should be able to see the problem areas. If you do travel, do so with a group. If you're gonna visit Tikal, you are probably better off going through Belize, as it's an easy 12 hr bus ride from Guatemala City.
Hi Mateo,
as a tourist you are pretty much ok in both Guatemala and Belize, however, always go out in groups, and there are a number of areas you need to avoid in Guatemala City as well as in Belize City. I spent some time in Guatemala and felt pretty safe. However, don't forget that Guatemala in general is a pretty violent country. It has the 3rd highest homicides in the world.
Have a great time in Belize and Guatemala.
Belize. Guatemala has more danger of the two.
Currently, is it safe to travel to either country? I'm from California, and I'm planning an excursion to the temples of Tikal and to Caye Caulker, Belize.
