GUATEMALA TRAVEL SAFETY GUIDE

Transcription

1 GUATEMALA TRAVEL SAFETY GUIDE

2 Contents Contents Introduction Purpose Scope Administrative Requirements Documents Vaccinations Currency Security conditions Crime Political tension Terrorism Sanitary Conditions Safety recommendations In case of emergency Guidelines for action Emergency telephone numbers... 10

3 1. Introduction The purpose of this guide is to provide you with the necessary actions and personal protection measures that you should follow when travelling abroad, especially if, because of your status within the company or social status, it could make you a target of criminal action. These steps should serve to prevent or at least minimise the risks inherent in travelling to a foreign country as criminal activity may be different from that in your home country, both in form and consequence. This guide will give you advise on the protective measures you should take when travelling abroad in order to avoid being the victim of criminal activity. It is organised in a logical order, starting with preparations and ending with your return home. 2. Purpose Establish basic security measures to bear in mind when making a journey, in order to prevent, neutralise or minimise possible incidents that you may be exposed to at different stages of the journey. 3. Scope This guide is intended for all expatriates who travel for business or pleasure and, especially, for those who travel abroad on a regular basis in order to carry out their business.

4 4. Administrative Requirements 4.1 Documents Passport / ID: A valid passport. Visa: NO. You do not need a minimum period of passport validity to enter country. However, you do for other countries such as Mexico and Nicaragua: at least SIX MONTHS is needed, so if you plan to travel throughout this region, your passport should have sufficient validity (1 year). When you enter Guatemala make sure that the Migration Authorities have stamped an entry stamp in your passport because if they haven t you will have to pay a fine to leave the country. Entry into Guatemala is not subject to any payment, so do not agree to the demands of officials who ask for small amounts of money to stamp passports. Theft or loss: In case of theft or loss of your passport, a report must be filed at any National Police station or the Public Prosecutor's Office; located at 15 Avda, (Zona 1) Barrio Gerona. Telephone numbers: /// and You can then apply for a new passport at the Consular Section or Embassy of your country by presenting that report. After obtaining the new passport it should be taken to the General Directorate of Migration (6ª Avda, 3 11 (Zona 4)) from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm to telephone number: and , so that it can be stamped with the entry stamp again at no cost. If you stay for less than 90 days for tourism you do not need a visa. You can extend your stay (Department of Immigration) at the Directorate General of Migration (address as above). 4.2 Vaccinations There are no compulsory vaccinations. However, those who plan to stay in the country for a long period or who will travel to the interior should be vaccinated against Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid fever and Yellow Fever. In addition, in tropical and coastal regions there is a risk, albeit small, of contracting Dengue and/or Malaria, so take antimalarial tablets and use repellents.

5 4.3 Currency The national currency is the quetzal, although you can pay in US dollars almost anywhere. The euro/quetzal exchange rate at this date (26/10/07) is approximately 1 = Q09.27, and the dollar/quetzal exchange rate is about: USD 1 = Q Although local banks (Banco UNO) have begun accepting euros (at unfavourable exchange rates) it is still difficult to exchange it into local currency, so travel with dollars. Entry or exit into the country with currency is limited to USD 10,000. The importing or exporting of any higher amount must be declared at the border. 5. Security conditions General Situation Guatemala: TAKE LOGICAL SAFETY MEASURES PRECAUTION HIGH LEVEL OF ALERTNESS RECONSIDER THE NEED TRAVEL THERE DO NOT TRAVEL Rio Dulce, Livingston, Lago Izabal, Puerto Barrios: TAKE LOGICAL SAFETY MEASURES PRECAUTION HIGH LEVEL OF ALERTNESS RECONSIDER THE NEED TRAVEL THERE DO NOT TRAVEL Arrange your trip with creditworthy and reliable agencies. Take out an international health insurance with sufficient coverage for the entire duration of your trip. Travel in a group and preferably with a professional guide. Do not use public transport. The regular bus service has become a target for gangs of armed robbers, whose attacks have resulted in the death of 33 drivers and conductors so far this year. Moreover, the low maintenance of these vehicles, as well as the driving skills of the drivers, supposes a real, additional risk and accidents are frequent. In restaurants and entertainment venues, keep track of your bags and personal items. Thefts may occur, particularly in Antigua and Chichicastenango. Do not make or receive phone calls when you are in the street. The target of many assaults are purely and simply mobile phones. Never travel at night. Only camp in

6 designated areas. Tours by bicycle or motorbike, even on the main roads, are discouraged. Ensure your mobile phones, cameras or video cameras, laptops and valuables are not visible. Monitor your luggage at all times, particularly at the airport or bus stations. Do not accept help from strangers to carry or move your luggage. Use accommodation that is commonly used by foreign tourists. In the capital, hotels located in zones 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are recommended. Watch your travel documents. Numerous passport thefts in Guatemala have been reported. Store this documentation at your Embassy or in a safe place. If during your stay, you do not plan to leave the country, ask the Consular Section of the Embassy of your country if they can provide you with a certified copy of your passport which allows you to travel throughout Guatemala. If you are interested in participating in a temporary volunteer programme with a foundation or Non-Governmental Organisation, contact the Embassy and register with them, they can provide information on the exact security situation in the location where your activity will be carried out. Security situation in Guatemala Areas of tourist interest: Izabal Department (Rio Dulce and Livingstone): Be alert when visiting this department because of the increasing violence against tourists in recent months. Precautions should also be taken on the Atlantic Road, which connects the capital with Puerto Barrios, both at night and by day. Solola Department (Lake Atitlan): Be cautious if travelling by road between the towns bordering the lake is recommended, particularly between Santiago Atitlan and San Pedro la Laguna, in the west and between Santa Cruz la Laguna and Santa Clara la Laguna in the north. Avoid excursions in areas that surround the lake. Travel around the lake should be done by boat. Be cautious in Panajachel. The Paztún-Godinez road is considered extremely dangerous. Sacatepéquez Department (Antigua): The old-town of Antigua has traditionally been regarded as safe, although it is necessary to take precautions at night. Travel is strongly discouraged to the towns of Sacatepéquez department, as well as travelling to Antigua at night or on secondary roads, particularly on the Barcenas diversion. Petén Department: Petén is considered an intermediate risk zone (Tikal Park and nearby archaeological sites). The interior of Tikal is reasonably safe. However, being there after sunset or before sunrise is discouraged. Be cautious if travelling by car in Petén. Alta Verapaz Department (Coban, Chamuk Champei). Considered an intermediate risk area.

7 Quetzaltenango Department: the city of Quetzaltenango is considered reasonably safe. However, be alert in the evening. The rest of the department is considered an intermediate risk zone. Escuintla Department: Puerto Quetzal and Puerto San José are considered intermediate risk areas. The interior of the department and the capital are considered high-risk areas. Rest of the country: Be very careful when climbing any of the volcanoes in Guatemala, including the Pacaya, a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to the city of Antigua Guatemala. Inform yourself about the security situation at the Tourist Assistance Office or the Embassy in your country prior to travel. Do not do excursions unaccompanied or at night and try to ensure you are always accompanied by a professional guide.

8 5.1 Crime The capital and many of the surrounding municipalities are possibly the most insecure areas across the country. Within the city you are advised to avoid areas 1, 3, 5, 6, 12, 19, 18, 22 and 24. Zones 2, 4, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 and Carretera El Salvador are considered intermediate risk areas, although it should be noted that these are the areas where crime has been increasing most recently, particularly in zones 9, 15 and 10. Remember that in the capital there are no totally safe areas. Avoid travelling on foot or venturing into unfamiliar areas. If you take a taxi, book it through your hotel or use the "yellow" or "green" taxi services. Besides being cheaper and using a meter, they are safer as they can be located by GPS. Do not visit towns around the capital, particularly Mixco and Villanueva. Use caution in areas surrounding the airport as assaults are frequent, especially at night. If you are a victim of or witness to a criminal act, keep calm and do not resist. Criminals in Guatemala are very violent and heavily armed. 5.2 Political tension Caution is advised because of the unstable situation throughout the entire country; marches, rallies, riots or blockages of cities, roads and airports can occur at any time, they are the usual instruments for exerting political and social pressure. 5.3 Terrorism Remember that no country is currently safe from international terrorism. Guatemala does not currently have a notable threat level. Local terrorism used to be very active but has now been reduced significantly. 5.3 Sanitary Conditions The sanitary conditions are good both in the capital and in zones that are largely tourist areas. In the rest of the country it is precarious and there is risk of infections especially of the digestive system. In this sense, do not drink tap water, consume bottled or boiled water and be extremely careful with vegetables and fruit; they should be washed before consumption. The same caution should be taken with ice cream and ice cubes, unless they are purchased in stores that offer guarantees. Avoid consuming products offered by street vendors. Healthcare:

9 In the capital it is good, since there are a large number of hospitals and qualified specialists. In the interior, however, it is not and there are areas where medical care is virtually non-existent. 6. Safety recommendations Sentences imposed for drug trafficking and consumption vary according to the quantity that has been seized, if amounts equal to or less than one gram (either cocaine or marijuana), the minimum penalty is two to three years. In the event that the quantities seized are greater, the penalty is imprisonment for five years and over, with automatic imprisonment from the moment the criminal is arrested. If the arrest is for trafficking, penalties range between 12 and 20 years imprisonment. Conditions in Guatemalan prisons are extremely harsh. Hurricanes: Check the weather reports on the Guatemalan coast before travel to that region, especially during the hurricane season which officially begins on June 1st and ends on November 30th, although the most problematic period takes place between August and October. For more information, please consult the following website: You may also contact the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT), telephone number: 00/ 502/ In case of emergency 7.1 Guidelines for action In case you are in an emergency situation, follow these guidelines: If you are walking down the street and feel you are being watched, change direction and be alert to any reactions around you. If you find yourself in a dangerous or difficult situation, steer away from dark or empty streets, try to find your way to a public area and telephone for help. If you are robbed, keep calm and remember:

10 o What is most important is to avoid physical harm. o Attackers should never be confronted. o Hand over your money and valuables without resistance, keeping a safe distance and speaking softly to build confidence. o If you suffer an assault or any other criminal act, report it to the authorities and also to the embassy. o If you are the victim of an assault or other criminal act you should report it to the authorities and notify your embassy or consular office. 7.2 Emergency telephone numbers Country code: 502 Useful telephone numbers: POLICE EMERGENCY is 110 and 120, toll free numbers and valid throughout the country. As these lines may be busy, you can also call the following numbers, and (24 hours). INGUAT (Guatemalan Tourism Institute) Emergency: , Extension Also 1500, a toll free number which is available 24 hours per day or at the following page: The Guatemalan authorities have made the following number available to tourists for assistance: 1500 or CONRED (National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction) 1566 toll free number and valid throughout the entire country. INSIVUMEH (Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology): and to 45. NATIONAL POLICE: NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE (PNC) Guatemala City: NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE (PNC) in Antigua: and NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE (PNC) in Puerto Barrios:

11 NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE (PNC) in Quetzaltenango: and NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE (PNC) in Huehuetenango: NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE (PNC) in Flores (Peten): and NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE (PNC) in Coban: and NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE IN CHIMALTENANGO: and NATIONAL CIVIL POLICE IN ZACAPA: and Police Substation in Chichicastenango: Police Substation in Panajachel: Carry this emergency card with you during your trip which states "In case of emergency, please call the telephone number listed below" in several languages. Write the number on the dotted line that you want called if an unexpected event occurs. FRONT BACK IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL THE PHONE IN DRINGENDEN FÄLLEN STEHEN WIR RUFEN SIE DIE TELEFON الهات ف ع لى االت صال ي رج ى ال طارئ ة ال حاال ت ف ي EN CAS D'URGENCE S'IL VOUS PLAÎT APPEL DU TELEPHONE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL THE TELEPHONE NUMBER.. USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS