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Guatemala
17 scams
Guatemala has a stunning range of landscapes – amazing beaches, active volcanoes, turquoise pools, limestone bridges and one of the largest Mayan Ruin sites globally!
Unfortunately, violent crime rates are also high, though tourists are seldom affected. It is more important to watch out for tourist targeted scams.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Asistur (bilingual) – emergency: 1500
- Police: 110
- Fire: 122, 123
- Ambulance: 125
Travel resources
Price quote scams in Guatemala
6 0How it works: Quoting a low price first, only to inflate it when it comes to paying claiming an earlier misunderstanding (e.g. wrong currency; low price for a small portion,…
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Unofficial guides in Guatemala
6 0How it works: Version 1: “helping” to collect your money to pass to the ticket counter and then demanding a tip. Version 2: posing as an official guide at a…
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Fraudulent tour operators in Guatemala
6 0How it works: Version 1: marketing dirt cheap tours but after payment is collected, they disappear, or give you fake or expired tickets. Version 2: tours which overcharge, over-promise and…
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Lake Atitlan boat scams in Guatemala
6 0How it works: Version 1: a local posing as a boat captain, offers to bring you to a lancha/boat, helps you with your luggage and then demands payment for a…
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Pacaya volcano bus scam in Guatemala
6 0How it works: Opening: bus drivers to the Pacaya Volcano visitors’ centre have reportedly stop halfway through the journey, claiming that it is the destination. Set-up: they then ask that…
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Flores bus scam in Guatemala
4 0How it works: Situation: there are bus drivers who work in cahoots with unofficial/fraudulent tour agents. Version 1: a tout boards the bus you are on, insists that he is…
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Money changer scams in Guatemala
3 0How it works: At the border, you may be accosted by aggressive money changers who either give you a poor rate of exchange, or steal some notes through sleight of…
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Volcan San Pedro disappearing guide in Guatemala
3 0How it works: Situation: at the Volcan San Pedro, a guide is included in the entrance fee. Set-up: some guides reportedly disappear midway. It could simply be being lazy or…
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Border entry, exit fee scam in Guatemala
3 0How it works: Version 1: on the bridge before the border, you may encounter uniformed officials who demand a 20 Quetzals exit fee. Version 2: corrupt customs officials may also…
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Pickpockets in Guatemala
2 0How it works: Version 1: they work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts, or engages you, one grabs and the final hides the loot under a…
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Three card monte scam in Guatemala
2 0How it works: Situation: to win, you bet which one of three cards contain a queen (or three shells containing a pea; or three cups containing a ball), after they…
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Donation scams in Guatemala
2 0How it works: Version 1: you are approached to donate to build a school or orphanage. Version 2: someone approaches and shares that his family member has an urgent problem…
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Snatch thefts in Guatemala
2 0How it works: Two versions: strike and run; distract and grab. Possible scenarios: Bike/moped: riding past with a pillion rider doing the snatch. Hotel, airport: where distracted/tired tourists carry all…
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Drink, food spiking in Guatemala
1 0How it works: There have been reports of spiked food/drinks offered by a stranger either while on transit (e.g. taxi, bus, train) or at a nightclub. You are then robbed…
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Carjackings in Guatemala
1 0How it works: Version 1: thieves first slash your tires. When you return to your car or while driving, someone signals for you to stop and to get out of…
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