Guides · Guatemala
Key Facts
- — Guatemala’s homicide rate rose to 17.4 per 100,000 in 2025 from 16.1 in 2024.
- — The U.S. State Department rates Guatemala Level 3: Reconsider Travel as of 12 March 2026.
- — Temporary residency costs US$200 a year, with permanent residency at US$700.
- — The IGM application fee for work residency is US$25, set by Governmental Agreement 02-2018.
- — The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City is at Boulevard Austriaco 11-51, Zone 16, phone +502-2354-0000.
- — The provisional 2026 homicide rate for January to July was 16.46 per 100,000.
National Homicide Trends
Guatemala’s national homicide rate in 2025 was 17.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to InSight Crime’s regional round-up, up from 16.1 in 2024. That is an 8% increase, with 3,139 deaths linked to criminal violence, reported on 11 March 2026.
The citizen security coalition Observatorio de la Violencia reported a similar rate of 17.2 per 100,000 at December 2025, based on 3,138 homicides. INACIF recorded 3,020 firearm deaths in 2025, up from 2,910 in 2024.
By late August 2026, national authorities reported 6% fewer homicides compared with the same period in 2025. The provisional homicide rate for January to July 2026 was 16.46 per 100,000, down from 17.4 in 2025, according to Infobae on 26 August 2026.
Guatemala City Zones: Know the Risk
Guatemala City is the most violent part of the country. The Department of Guatemala recorded 1,446 firearm homicides in 2025, up from 1,273 in 2024, according to INACIF on 9 January 2026.
The U.S. State Department advises not to travel to Zone 18 of Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva, citing crime and terrorism.
Spain’s advisory also lists zones 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 18 as high-risk.
Safer zones for foreigners include Zones 9, 10, 13, and 14, where embassies, malls, and international hotels are located. Residents and savvy visitors use Uber or hotel taxis, avoid street cabs, and keep a low profile.
Antigua: A Safer Colonial Hub
Antigua is in Sacatepéquez department, one of the country’s lower-homicide departments. That is lower than the national rate of about 17.2–17.4.
Tourist-oriented guidance describes Antigua’s safety as ‘good’, with tourist police presence and relatively safe main streets. The primary risks are petty theft and nighttime street crime away from central areas.
The U.S. advisory permits government personnel to travel to Antigua, indicating it is considered safer than restricted zones.
Still, visitors should exercise normal urban caution and avoid isolated areas after dark.
Lake Atitlán and the Highlands
Lake Atitlán is generally safe for tourists, but specific towns can become temporarily high-risk. In July 2026, the U.S.
Embassy prohibited personnel from traveling to Santiago Atitlán due to violent demonstrations, including burned vehicles and gunshot injuries.
Spain’s advisory recommends boat travel between lakeside towns and warns that some lake-perimeter roads have criminality and limited emergency access. Hikers should move in groups and avoid isolated trails between villages.
No official comparative homicide rates for Lake Atitlán municipalities and highland departments for 2025–2026 have been published in a single government dataset. However, the U.S.
‘Do Not Travel’ list includes San Marcos and Huehuetenango departments outside their main cities.
Chicken Buses and Highway Risks
Chicken buses, refurbished US school buses used as low-cost transport, are high-risk for armed robbery and extortion, according to safety analyses. Routes serving Guatemala City’s outer zones and highway corridors are frequently targeted by gangs.
Foreigners are advised to avoid chicken buses for intercity travel and instead use reputable tourist shuttles or private transport. No official figure has been published for robberies or homicides on chicken buses in 2025–2026.
Highway risks are significant, especially at night on routes into and out of Guatemala City and towards the Mexican border. Official advisories recommend avoiding driving after dark and using trusted drivers familiar with local conditions.
Extortion of Small Businesses
Extortion complaints rose alongside homicides in 2025, according to the Ministry of Gobernación platform reported by La Hora on 1 January 2026. Small businesses, transport operators, and shop owners are key targets.
No official figure has been published for the precise number of small businesses reporting extortion in 2025–2026. The increase is documented, but the total number of cases is not publicly available.
Volcano and Landslide Hazards
Guatemala has active volcanoes, and ascents of Pacaya, Santa María, and Agua carry security risks, including occasional assault reports on hiking routes, according to Spain’s advisory. Volcanic activity can cause evacuations and road closures.
Landslides are a hazard during the rainy season, especially on rural roads and around Lake Atitlán. Emergency access can be difficult in these areas, increasing the consequences of crimes or accidents, as Spain’s advisory notes.
What Embassies Advise
The U.S. State Department rates Guatemala as Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to crime and terrorism, as of 12 March 2026.
It specifically advises against travel to Zone 18 of Guatemala City, Villa Nueva, San Marcos Department, and Huehuetenango Department.
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City issued security alerts after January 2026 gang attacks, urging Americans to exercise increased caution and limit travel in affected areas.
The embassy is located at Boulevard Austriaco 11-51, Zone 16, with phone +502-2354-0000.
Spain, Canada, and the UK also warn about violent crime and specific high-risk zones. The UK advises against travel to areas near the Mexican border, including Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista, and La Democracia in Huehuetenango.
Safety Routines Residents Follow
Residents in Guatemala City keep a low profile, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and monitor local media closely, as recommended by the U.S. advisory.
They use ride-hailing apps or hotel taxis, especially after dark.
In Antigua and Lake Atitlán, residents avoid isolated trails and use boat transport between lakeside towns. They do not carry passports, cash, or electronics openly in crowded markets and festivals, where pickpocketing is common.
Travelers should avoid driving at night on highways and rural roads, and should use trusted drivers or tourist shuttles. Following these routines reduces the risk of becoming a victim of crime.
Exact Fees and Who Charges Them
The Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración publishes a single tariff page for foreigner procedures, set by Governmental Agreement 02-2018. A secondary guide states that the IGM application fee for work residency is US$25, with temporary residency at US$200 a year, permanent residency at US$700, and an annual foreigner’s fee of US$40.
Apostilles and sworn translations are additional costs, but no official pricing was found for sworn translators.
Sworn translations must be done by a traductor jurado registered in Guatemala. Foreign documents translated abroad may be rejected for residency procedures.
The Step-by-Step Timeline
The usual documentation chain for foreign papers is to obtain the original document, apostille it if required, and then have it translated by a Guatemalan sworn translator if the process demands Spanish-language legalization. For U.S.
Documents, apostille and translation costs vary by document length and complexity, but these are market estimates rather than official published fees. The official information for Guatemalan residency and migration procedures is located at the Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración (IGM), which is the body referenced by the residency guide as the issuing authority for residency fees and applications.
What Changed in the Last 18 Months
Guatemala’s national homicide rate rose from 16.1 per 100,000 in 2024 to 17.4 per 100,000 in 2025, an 8% increase, according to InSight Crime’s regional homicide round-up. The U.S.
State Department kept Guatemala at Level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel’ after January 2026 gang attacks, and the ‘Do Not Travel’ list includes Zone 18, Villa Nueva, San Marcos, and Huehuetenango. In January 2026, coordinated armed attacks on police in several zones of Guatemala City led the U.S.
Embassy to order staff to shelter in place. By late August 2026, national authorities reported 6% fewer homicides in 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, with a provisional 2026 homicide rate of 16.46 per 100,000.
The Mistakes Foreigners Most Often Make
A common foreigner mistake is to treat Guatemala City as one uniform risk zone rather than distinguishing between safer and more dangerous neighborhoods. Another mistake is driving or hiking in remote areas without local guidance, especially around Atitlán and volcano routes.
Traveling at night on highways or rural roads is a higher-risk routine that official advisories repeatedly identify. Carrying passports, cash, and electronics openly in crowded public places is also a mistake, as pickpocketing and theft are frequent.
Safety guidance for foreigners emphasizes highway risks on routes known for armed robbery and carjacking, particularly night travel on highways leading into and out of Guatemala City and towards the Mexican border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guatemala safe for tourists in 2026? Guatemala is not uniformly safe. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to crime. The national homicide rate was 17.4 per 100,000 in 2025, but tourist areas like Antigua and Lake Atitlán are safer than Guatemala City. Exercise caution, especially in high-risk zones.
Which areas in Guatemala should I avoid? Avoid Zone 18 of Guatemala City, Villa Nueva, San Marcos Department, and Huehuetenango Department, as advised by the U.S. State Department. Spain also lists zones 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 18 as high-risk. Stick to safer zones like 9, 10, 13, and 14 in the capital.
What is the homicide rate in Guatemala? Guatemala’s national homicide rate was 17.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025, up from 16.1 in 2024. That’s an 8% increase, with 3,139 deaths. In 2026, the provisional rate for January to July was 16.46 per 100,000, showing a slight decrease.
Is Antigua safe for foreigners? Antigua is considered safer than many parts of Guatemala. It’s in Sacatepéquez department, which had a homicide rate of 9.6 per 100,000 in 2025, lower than the national average. Tourist police patrol main streets, but petty theft and nighttime street crime can occur. Exercise normal urban caution.
Are chicken buses safe to ride in Guatemala? Chicken buses are high-risk for armed robbery and extortion, according to safety analyses. Routes serving Guatemala City’s outer zones and highway corridors are frequently targeted by gangs. Foreigners are advised to avoid them for intercity travel and use reputable tourist shuttles or private transport instead.
What safety precautions should I take in Guatemala City? In Guatemala City, keep a low profile, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and monitor local media. Use ride-hailing apps or hotel taxis, especially after dark. Avoid street cabs and don’t carry passports, cash, or electronics openly. Stick to safer zones like 9, 10, 13, and 14.
| Area | Homicide rate (per 100,000) | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 17.4 | 2025 | InSight Crime |
| National (Dec 2025) | 17.2 | 2025 | Observatorio de la Violencia |
| Sacatepéquez (Antigua) | 9.6 | 2025 | Observatorio de la Violencia |
| Guatemala Department (incl. City) | Highest concentration | 2025 | INACIF |
| Provisional national (Aug 2026) | 16.5 | 2026 | National authorities via Infobae |
Sources: InSight Crime, Observatorio de la Violencia, Ministerio de Gobernación, INACIF, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Guatemala, Spain’s Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Global Affairs Canada, UK FCDO, La Hora, Prensa Libre, Infobae, Diario de Centro América, Living in Guatemala, The Tico Times.
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