Survive - Guatemala - page 610

Safe Travel
While crime definitely happens in Guatemala, and definitely happens to tourists, these days the most frequently reported
type of nasty incident involves robbery on walking trails.
The days of robbers targeting buses and tourist shuttles out on the open highway seem to be thankfully in the past, al-
though some tourists in rental cars have been targeted. This information is incredibly fluid - if you're planning on driv-
ing yourself around, check with Proatur ( in English 1500) for the latest.
The crime you're most likely to become a victim of involves pickpocketing, bag-snatching, bag-slitting and the like in
crowded bus stations, buses, streets and markets, but also in empty, dark city streets.
In short, use your street smarts and you should stay out of trouble.
It's best to travel and arrive in daylight hours. If that's not possible, travel at night using 1st-class buses and catch a
taxi to your hotel once you arrive.
Tips
» Only carry the money, cards, checks and valuables that you need. Leave the rest in a sealed, signed envelope in your
hotel's safe, and obtain a receipt for the envelope.
» Don't flaunt jewelry, cameras or valuable-looking watches. Keep your wallet or purse out of view.
» On buses keep your important valuables with you, and keep a tight hold on them.
» Use normal precautions when using ATMs (and be aware that card skimming is a reality here).
» Hiking in large groups and/or with a police escort reduces the risk of robbery.
» Resisting or trying to flee from robbers usually makes the situation worse.
Hiking on active volcanoes obviously has an element of risk. Get the latest story before you head out. In the wet season,
hike in the morning before rain and possible thunderstorms set in.
Be careful, especially in rural areas, when talking to small children, always ask permission to take photographs and
generally try not to put yourself in any situation that might be misinterpreted.
Scams
One common scenario is for someone to spray ketchup or some other sticky liquid on your clothes. An accomplice then
appears to help you clean up the mess and robs you in the process. Other methods of distraction, such as dropping a
purse or coins, or someone appearing to faint, are also used by pickpockets and bag snatchers.
Regrettably, ATM card cloners have moved into Guatemala, targeting Guatemalans and foreigners alike. They operate
by attaching a card reading device to the ATM (often inside the slot where you insert your card) and once they have your
data, proceed to drain your account. There have been reports of card cloning in all the major tourist destinations. The
only way to avoid it is to use ATMs that cannot be tampered with easily (inside supermarkets or shopping malls). The
ATMs most prone to tampering are the ones in the little unlocked room at the front of a bank.
You should never have to enter your PIN number to gain access to an ATM room.