Safety tips

Please consider the following practical recommendations in order to make your coming trip safer and enjoyable:

• Never leave your luggage unattended or under strangers’ supervision.
• Always carry a photocopy of your passport, showing your portrait picture and the date of your entry to the country.
• Keep your air travel tickets, any extra money, your personal documents and traveler’s checks in a secure place at all times.
• Do not wear valuable jewelry when going out of your hotel, and only carry with you enough currency for your daily expenses.
• Be cautious with your photo or video cameras.
• If you rent a car and must park on the street, you may be approached by people asking you to watch it for you.  In those cases, you should not pay more than 20 quetzales.
• In case something happens to you, while visiting touristic points in our country, and feel the need to file an official complaint about something, you can go to any of the Civil National Police’s stations (PNC) to do it.  Ask for a legal copy of your statement afterwards.

Taxis

• You can acquire Taxi Tickets at the airport counter, after your arrival.
• Be aware that all taxi drivers must be clearly identified at all times (therefore it should be a visible portrait picture along with their names).
• If you are traveling less than 12 kilometers, the driver must activate the taximeter.  If you need to go farther, the fares are negotiable.

Money

You should be able to obtain local currency at most bank branches or at your hotel. Never change currency out in the streets. When walking outside of your hotel, keep your wallet in a hidden place on your wardrobe. If you can, avoid carrying cash when walking the streets (remember all major credit cards are valid in Guatemala).