Thank you for your feedback Amy, and I will take that to heart.

But even in Antigua, I was warned – many times, by Guatemalans and expats alike – not to walk alone in certain places at night.
And the guy with the mashed up face, who had been living in Antigua for many years – that’s not hearsay; I spoke to him about it.
I think like you say, it’s important to be smart.

Read the warnings on the US State Department’s webpage on travel to Guatemala — dangerous roads, active volcanoes, torrential rains and landslides, unsafe public transportation (including boating in the lakes), bacteria in the water/food, and physical danger to travelers are all real and serious threats.

We had an intruder on the deck of our cottage at a 4-star resort on a lake near Tikal. The experience was terrifying and we feel thankful that nothing more happened than our screaming at the top of our lungs for several minutes until the intruder left. The hotel said he was “security.” We don’t believe that.

Be careful — where the state department recommends traveling with a group or with security, follow the recommendations. Otherwise, Guatemala is beautiful and interesting and worth the visit!!

Anybody who says this is a harsh article has not actually read it, in my opinion.
I write over and over again in the article and throughout these comments that Guatemala wasn’t the problem. It was me and the mistakes I made, which is the TITLE OF THIS ARTICLE….THE MISTAKES I MADE.
If I thought Guatemala was a bad place, I would have made that the title.

Instead, I humbly admit the mistakes I made, and am chastised for attacking Guatemala. I can’t win.

You are so right! Seems a harsh article . I am Guatemalan, love my country, and it is very important to research risks in every country. I don’t walk alone at night in many streets in New York, Los Angeles or Mexico. And that doesn’t make the US or Mexico less wonderful!

Visited Guatemala 5x. Travel alone. Single older white woman w red hair. Guatemalans have told me they marvel at my being so brave. Yes, I stay on tourist routes, get in by 9:30 pm. AND quote what you have written regarding the USA! I feel much more afraid at home! USA is far more violent, far more often, far less predictable

Hi Dana,
I’m so happy that you love Guatemala and Panajachel in particular. I find it so interesting that you and others have read my article as a “review” of Guatemala, despite my repeatedly saying that my observations weren’t about the country itself, but rather my personal experience and inner process.
Case in point: You say if I had done my research properly, I would have known not to stay on the other side of the river in Panajachel. And what was the very first, front-and-centre mistake I mentioned in this article? Not researching enough. So, thanks for proving my point, I guess!

Hi JoAnn,
I’ve heard lovely things about San Marcos. Next time, I’ll make it across the lake. 🙂