Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
housed in high-rise buildings also have these amenities. For inter-city travel, the best op-
tion for travelers with disabilities is to take shuttle buses.
As elsewhere in Latin America, men in Guatemala tend to be chauvinistic, particularly the
country's ladinos. Women traveling alone might find themselves the object of unwanted
attention. Guatemalan women are accustomed to fairly constant harassment by men on
the street, including catcalls, whistling, and horn honking, which they tend to ignore. This
is usually the best tactic, though it's somewhat difficult to put into practice. Take a deep
breath and count to 10. Your best bet as a preventive measure in this regard is to dress de-
murely, particularly in urban areas. Although much less likely, there's also the possibility
ofhavingyourbuttorbreastsgropedbyapassingstranger.Itusuallyhappensinaninstant,
with nary a second glance from the perpetrator. If it should come to a case of a lingering
pervert, someGuatemalan womenwill scream attheperpetrator,something alongthelines
of “
cerdo
” (pig), which usually scares them off. The last thing they want is to be confron-
ted in public and they certainly wouldn't expect it. Blonds and brunets tend to be the most
common targets of dudes who just can't keep their hands to themselves.
Solo female travelers should try to stick to the main tourist destinations in Guatemala
and not venture too far off the beaten path. There's really no reason to travel alone for too
long unless you really want to, as you'll probably make friends along the way thanks to
an abundance of foreign visitors. After dark, take a cab, but try to find someone to share it
with.
The prevalence of
machismo
(male-dominated culture) can make things difficult, if not
downright dangerous, for gay and lesbian couples choosing to express mutual affection
publicly. Gay travelers and residents will want to keep a low profile while in public areas
in Guatemala so as not to attract unwanted attention. Homosexuality is still not widely ac-
cepted in Guatemala, and many commonly used slurs and epithets apply directly to gays.
Still, things may be starting to change, as Guatemalans are quick to emulate the cultural
standards they see on international TV, specifically the greater acceptance of gay men and
lesbians portrayed in the U.S. media. Acceptance of homosexuality, in this way, appears
directlylinkedtosocioeconomicstatus—oratleastaccesstocabletelevision.Someopenly
gayGuatemalanslivewiththeirpartnersandareopenabouttheirrelationshipswithfriends
andfamily,thoughfinancial andsocialindependence figureprominently intothisdecision.
Religious beliefs and prejudices vary and affect how gay men and lesbian women are
treated in any society. It all depends on the individual. I've witnessed innkeepers issue dis-
