Capital city, Guatemala
Is Guatemala City safe?
Parts of Zona 10, 14 and 4 are fine with care, but crime is high elsewhere; avoid walking after dark and use Uber.
Is Guatemala City safe?
Parts of Zona 10, 14 and 4 are fine with care, but crime is high elsewhere; avoid walking after dark and use Uber.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-03-11.
- Homicide rate in Guatemala: 23.4 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Guatemala: 22.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 122 · Fire 122 · Tourist police 1500.
Safety in Guatemala City at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Armed robbery and phone theft, bus and ATM crime, and taxi assaults away from the main areas. Zona 1 and 18 are risky. |
| At night | Stay in Zona 10 or 14 after dark and take Uber door to door; do not walk between zones. |
| Solo women | Solo women should take Uber everywhere after dark, stay in Zona 10 or 14, and avoid public buses. Catcalling is common. |
| Other risks | Earthquakes and Pacaya or Fuego volcanic ash; Heavy traffic and unsafe driving; Rainy-season landslides and flooding |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street taxis robbing passengers; use Uber or hotel-arranged cars
- ATM skimming and 'helpful' strangers watching PINs
- Fake police asking to inspect bags and cash
Take care
- Zones 3, 5, 6, 18 and 21: gang crime, avoid
- Zona 1 after dark: street crime, go by day only
- Chicken and Transmetro buses: pickpockets, keep valuables hidden
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Always carry ID; in San Pedro La Laguna police may insist on your original passport.
- Don't photograph Indigenous people, especially children, without permission; it has provoked violent reactions.
- Drug possession brings long sentences in overcrowded, violent prisons.
How Guatemala City compares in Guatemala
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Antigua Guatemala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Flores | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Atitlán | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Semuc Champey | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Pedro La Laguna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Guatemala City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Quetzaltenango | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Guatemala City safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women should take Uber everywhere after dark, stay in Zona 10 or 14, and avoid public buses. Catcalling is common.
Is Guatemala City safe at night?
Stay in Zona 10 or 14 after dark and take Uber door to door; do not walk between zones.
What is the crime rate in Guatemala City?
Armed robbery and phone theft, bus and ATM crime, and taxi assaults away from the main areas. Zona 1 and 18 are risky. Nationally, Guatemala records 23.4 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Guatemala City?
Police 110 · Ambulance 122 · Fire 122 · Tourist police 1500.
More about Guatemala City
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Going to Guatemala City solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- INGUAT, Guatemala Tourism Board
- Herrera Llerandi Hospital
- Centro Médico
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.