Guatemala is a popular destination in Central America for backpackers and general visitors alike. With incredible scenery, natural beauty, friendly locals, and amazing volcano hikes, Guatemala is one of my favourite countries I’ve ever travelled to.
Sadly, Guatemala doesn’t have the best reputation and many travellers question if it’s a safe country to visit. In this guide, I’ll answer the question ‘Is Guatemala safe for solo female travel?’ (Spoiler: yes, it is safe for solo travel). I’ve also shared some tips to help you on your solo trip to Guatemala.
Back in 2021, I embarked on a five-week solo trip around Guatemala, including a 7-day volcano hiking challenge. As a newbie solo female traveller, I can’t pretend I felt entirely confident about my trip. However, my time in Guatemala ended up being one of my favourite solo trips I’ve ever done.
Sure, travelling to Guatemala as a solo female traveller doesn’t come without its challenges, but it’s a fantastic country full of beauty and history. I can’t wait to head back there soon.
I hope you enjoy my guide on solo female travel in Guatemala.
Is Guatemala safe for solo female travel?
Guatemala is usually safe for solo travellers, including solo female travellers. The country has an established backpacking and tourist route. It’s very common to visit Guatemala as part of a bigger backpacking route through countries such as Belize and El Salvador, so you’ll no doubt easily meet other backpackers.
While there are areas of the country to avoid, Guatemala is generally an excellent destination for solo female travellers (provided you stick to the tourist destinations). I never once felt unsafe in Guatemala and loved my time exploring the country.
Having said that, Guatemala does have its issues. According to the UK Foreign Office, Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Guatemala is not the country to try to go off the beaten path, especially as a solo traveller.
In this guide, I’ve spoken more about how to stay safe in Guatemala.
10 tips for Solo Female Travel in Guatemala
I spent five weeks travelling solo in Guatemala. It was one of my favourite travel experiences, but it certainly came with a few challenges. Below, I’ve shared ten tips to help you stay safe as a solo female traveller in Guatemala based on my personal experiences.
Stick to the tourist route
Guatemala has an established tourist route that is easy to get around. This route is very well-trodden, and you will no doubt meet other tourists when sticking to it. It includes destinations such as Flores, Semuc Champey, Lake Atitlan, El Paredon, and Antigua City.
While it’s sometimes nice to go off the beaten path, I’d not necessarily recommend it in Guatemala, especially when travelling alone. Some of the smaller cities and towns can be very dangerous for tourists.
The main tourist destinations in Guatemala are well-connected. It’s easy to book shuttles between destinations through your hostel. I found it a very easy country to get around. While taking the shuttles are more expensive than public transportation, saving a few dollars isn’t worth your safety.
Be wary of public transportation
Crime is unfortunately common on public transportation in Guatemala. This includes petty crimes such as pick-pocketing but also more serious crimes. A common occurrence in Guatemala is for criminals with guns to block the road so the buses can’t get through. They will then board the vehicles and demand money and valuables. This is more likely to occur when using public transportation.
I booked a shuttle bus between Flores and Semuc Champey. I questioned why we were going the longer way round. Our driver explained it’s because the main road with the public buses isn’t safe for tourists.
The locals in Guatemala know how to keep tourists safe. I’d suggest booking any transportation through your hostel. They know which companies to use, and the last thing they want is for any of their guests to be victims of a crime. I booked all my transportation through my hostels when travelling solo in Guatemala.
A popular method of transport in Guatemala is to ride the chicken buses—old converted school buses that are Guatemalans’ preferred mode of public transportation. Riding the chicken bus is almost a right of passage for backpackers in Guatemala, but it’s important to be wary. I’d suggest choosing a short journey around a city such as Antigua. It’s not uncommon for petty crime to occur, so keep your belongings safe.
Don’t travel alone at night
This is generally the case when travelling solo anywhere in the world, but try to avoid travelling at night in Guatemala. This includes walking home alone or getting transport to another destination, even in the tourist areas.
The streets of major cities and towns tend to be much quieter in the dark, and gangs and criminals are more likely to be active. If you need to get somewhere in the dark, I’d suggest speaking to your accommodation and asking them to arrange a taxi.
Be careful of dogs
The dogs in Guatemala are known to be a little bit aggressive. I had a scary run-in with some dogs in San Pedro La Laguna in Lake Atitlan. I was surrounded by about 8 dogs who were barking and growling at me. It was only when a local came and shouted at them that they left. I was lucky, but I met a couple of people who had been bitten by stray dogs.
Rogue dogs tend to be the most aggressive at night, so try to avoid being outside in the dark. If you are, make sure you’re with a group of people. The more people there are, the easier it is to scare the dogs away.
This is by no means an issue everywhere in Guatemala, but Lake Atitlan especially is known to have problems with the dogs.
Have a tour guide when hiking
Guatemala has some epic volcano hikes all around the country. I spent seven days travelling around Guatemala and hiking up six different volcanoes. It was an incredible experience but it’s certainly not something to do alone.
Many of the popular hikes are known to have criminals who pounce on solo hikers or small groups. They sometimes have guns and demand any valuables. This is particularly common in the Lake Atitlan area.
Hiring a local guide or joining a guided tour can help to avoid this issue. We even had police officers with us on our hike up San Pedro in Lake Atitlan. If you’re keen to do any of these amazing hikes, it’s worth speaking to your accommodation about hiring a local guide to keep you safe. Try and find some other people to do the hike with you. Hikes such as Indian Nose in Lake Atitlan are very popular, so it should be easy to find people.
Hiking up volcanoes can be dangerous. The ground is unstable, and many of the volcanoes are still active. However, the local guides know these volcanoes and hikes better than anyone, so it is worth the money.
If you are planning to hike alone, check out my solo hiking guide.
Get a local SIM card
If you’re travelling solo in Guatemala, it’s important to have a sim card to stay connected. This means if anything goes wrong, you’re able to contact the local authorities or seek help elsewhere.
Local SIM cards are very cheap in Guatemala, but I’d personally suggest using an E-Sim. Airalo has some great deals for Guatemala. Using an E-SIM means you can keep your regular sim card in your phone and flick between the two as needed.
Learn basic Spanish
Whether you’re a solo traveller or not, learning some basic Spanish words and phrases is a good idea for your visit to Guatemala. I found that a lot of the hostel staff and tour guides only spoke a very basic level of English. I joined a tour in Tikal where I had to pay extra for an English-speaking guide.
Thankfully, Guatemala is a fantastic place to learn Spanish. It’s a popular destination for travellers, expats and nomads who want to improve their language skills. There are many language schools and most hostels I stayed in also offered classes at an affordable price.
Learning some basic Spanish phrases will no doubt help you as a solo traveller in Guatemala. Here are a few Spanish phrases you might find useful as a solo traveller in Guatemala:
Hello – “Hola”
I need help – “Necesito ayuda”
Good morning – “Buenos dias”
Where is…? – “Dónde está?”
Please – “Por favor”
Thank you – “Gracias”
Avoid Guatemala City
It’s recommended to avoid Guatemala City, especially at night. While in Guatemala, I heard several stories about backpackers who had been mugged in the capital city.
Fortunately, there’s not really any reason to visit Guatemala City (other than the airport). There are no must-visit attractions as such. The nearby Antigua is a much better place to base yourself.
If you do find yourself in Guatemala City, the advice is not to go outside at night and make sure your belongings are safe. I stayed in Guatemala City for one night before flying out. I arranged my taxi through the hotel. This helped to assure me that the taxi driver was safe as he was one the hotel regularly used.
Avoid the roads around Lake Atitlan
The roads around Lake Atitlan are known for being dangerous. There are many dirt roads which connect the various towns around the lake and it’s not uncommon for people, including the locals, to be robbed when travelling between the towns.
Thankfully, you shouldn’t need to use taxis to get around the area as all the towns on Lake Atitlan are connected by boat (or lancha). These convenient water taxis take locals and tourists between the popular towns around the lake meaning there’s no need to take a taxi, public bus or Tuk Tuk between towns.
As a solo female traveller, it’s also important to be wary of Tuk Tuk’s in general, especially at night. A girl in my hostel had a bad experience riding a Tuk Tuk solo at night. She was safe in the end, but it’s something I would personally avoid.
Be aware of scams
Scams are a common issue in tourist destinations around the world and Guatemala is no exception. While it would be easy to say, “Use your common sense”, scammers are getting better at catching people out. If you’re in doubt, don’t ever give anyone any money.
A common scam in Guatemala is for someone to distract you while an accomplice robs you. Another scam is a local will ask you to take a photo of them. When you hand the camera back, they will drop it and blame you, demanding money for the broken phone. This happened to a girl who I met in a hostel. It’s an easy one to be caught out by.
If travelling solo in Guatemala, I would try and avoid any suspicious interactions which could be a scam.
Natural disasters in Guatemala
Guatemala is no stranger to natural disasters. Sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is highly volcanic and often experiences earthquakes and violent volcanic eruptions. However, as Guatemala is still a developing country, it isn’t always prepared for natural disasters and can be slow to respond.
It’s hard to predict when this type of disaster might occur, so make sure you are exercising caution when visiting any of Guatemala’s famous volcanoes. This includes the iconic Acatenango. Always go with a reputable guide booked through your accommodation or tour company.
Guatemala can also experience flash flooding during the rainy season (May to October).
The country can experience heavy rainfall, making activities such as hiking very difficult, especially in rural areas. Consider whether the months are the right time of year for you to visit.
The best time of year to visit Guatemala is usually between November and April, when the country experiences the least rainfall.
How to meet other solo travellers in Guatemala
Travelling solo can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially in countries like Guatemala which don’t exactly have the best reputation. Here are a few tips to help you meet other travellers:
Stay in hostels – an obvious one but a good one. Staying in hostels is the best way to meet other solo travellers. I stayed in hostels all around Guatemala and it was by far one of the most social countries I’ve ever travelled around (even more so than Thailand or Vietnam). Many of the hostels have affordable private rooms. If you don’t want to stay in a dorm room, this could be a good option.
Book tours and transport through your hostel – booking excursions and transport through your hostel is a fantastic way to meet people. This way, you’ll be travelling with other people in the same hostel as you. It’s a great way to break the ice.
Join Facebook and WhatsApp groups – in the modern world, backpackers are more connected than ever. There are several Facebook groups and WhatsApp groups for solo travellers. Guatemala also has its own backpacking Whatsapp group. This is used for social events and is perfect for solo travellers. When you arrive in Guatemala, ask around about the Whatsapp group and ask to be invited.
Read next: nervous about solo travel? Here are some tips to overcome your fears.
The best hostels in Guatemala for solo female travellers
Guatemala has a great selection of hostels to choose from which suit all budgets. Many of the hostels I stayed in had both dorm rooms and affordable private rooms, which is great for when you want some privacy.
Here are some of my favourite hostels in Guatemala.
Flores
I stayed in Los Amigos Hostel while in Flores. I had heard it was a bit of a party hostel which is not my vibe, but I didn’t have any major issues. The hostel was very social, and the staff were friendly. I had a private room which was very affordable. Another popular option in Flores is the Peten Express Tikal which has a pool and more of a chill vibe.
Semuc Champey
If heading to Semuc Champey, consider staying at Zephyr Lodge. This is without a doubt one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed in. Granted, the facilities aren’t the best, but you really can’t beat the setting. The hostel is surrounded by stunning views and natural beauty, with a gorgeous infinity pool! It’s certainly one of the most Instagrammable hostels! It’s a very social spot and great for visiting the nearby attractions.
For something a little less flash, consider the Greengo’s Hostel which is nestled in the heart of the lush jungle. Guatemala is a beautiful country, and this is one of the best places to really experience its amazing scenery.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is one of the most popular places to visit in Guatemala. It’s a beautiful lake surrounded by several towns popular with visitors. I stayed in San Pedro, Santa Cruz and Panajachel. There are ample hostels in the area all serving different needs. Here are some of the most popular hostels in Lake Atitlan.
Deciding where to stay in Lake Atitlan? Find out which town is best for you.
Panajachel is a great destination to stay at the start or end of your stay at Lake Atitlan. It’s the main town in the area and where most shuttles will drop off travellers when arriving at Lake Atitlan. One of the best hostels in Panajachel is Dreamboat. They have a great café and a bar there. There is also a Selina Hostel in Panajachel.
San Pedro is a popular backpacking town in Lake Atitlan and a great place to base yourself. If you’re after a lively nightlife, it’s the place to be. It’s also worth staying here if you want to do the San Pedro Volcano Hike. For those looking to party, Mr. Mullet’s is the place to be and has some wild parties. I walked past one evening and couldn’t believe the chaos. Mandala’s is a much quieter option and where I stayed for two nights.
The small town of Santa Cruz is where I spent most of my time in Lake Atitlan. La Iguana Perdida is the main hostel option here. It’s a very social hostel, but didn’t feel too party focused. They also do “family dinners” every evening, which is a fantastic way to meet people. The other famous hostel here is Free Cerveza which literally translates to free beer. It sounds like they’ve reduced the free beer element lately, but at certain times of day they offer free beer to guests. This is the best party spot in Santa Cruz.
Another popular backpacking town in Lake Atitlan is San Marcos La Laguna. This is where those who want to focus on relaxation and yoga go. I have to say, I wasn’t the biggest fan of San Marcos. It was a bit of a weird vibe. I opted not to stay there after visiting for the day.
Antigua City
Antigua City is a popular base for many backpackers and visitors and there are several fantastic options to choose from. I stayed in Somos Hostel and loved it here so much that I extended my stay. It’s a clean and social hostel with incredible rooftop views. The Selina Hostel in Antigua is another popular option. I met a few people who stayed here and they all spoke highly of it.
El Paredon
This coastal town of El Paredon is the place to be if you want to relax or make the most of the Pacific waves. It’s a gorgeous spot with black sand beaches and incredible sunrises and sunsets. It’s also where you can see baby turtles being released into the ocean, one of the best things to do in Guatemala.
The party hostel in El Paredon is Driftwood Surfer. I went there for drinks one evening and it seemed like a nice spot, but not the place to be if you don’t want to party. I opted for Mellow Hostel. It’s a modern “glamping” style hostel a few minutes away from the beach.
Summary: is Guatemala safe for solo female travellers?
Guatemala is generally a safe country for solo female travellers. It’s certainly not the type of country to go off the beaten path by yourself, but if you stick to the main tourist destinations and follow some basic guidelines, you will hopefully have a trouble-free visit. I never once felt unsafe in Guatemala and wouldn’t think twice about going back as a solo traveller. It’s a fantastic destination and one of my favourite countries.
Having said that, it would be ignorant to pretend Guatemala is a completely safe country without problems. There is a high crime rate in the country and many governments including the UK Foreign Office advise their citizens to exercise extra caution when visiting.
I’m not sure Guatemala is the best place for a first solo trip. While I’ve travelled to more challenging destinations such as Ecuador and South Africa, Guatemala can be slightly intimidating at first. I would suggest travelling solo to a couple of other countries before heading on a solo trip to Guatemala. If you’re looking to travel solo in Latin America, Costa Rica and Mexico are great for first-timers.
To summarise, Guatemala is an excellent destination for solo travel, but it’s important to research destinations and to exercise some caution.
Read next: travelling around Latin America? See my guide on solo female travel in Ecuador.
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