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Here’s what to know about safety in Antigua, Guatemala, including what to watch out for, precautions to take, and what to do in an emergency. For more on Antigua, check out how long to spend there, the best sights, ruins, shopping, hotels, and activities, and locals’ favorite places to eat traditional Guatemalan food.

Is Antigua safe? Here’s what to know

While Guatemala has a high violent crime rate, much of it is related to gang activity and drug trafficking and concentrated in specific areas, like border regions and parts of Guatemala City. Tourists are not usually the target. Antigua is considered a relatively safe city. The main threat there is petty crime like pickpockets and bag-snatching, especially in crowded areas like markets and public transportation hubs. While violent crime is not common, muggings, robberies, and carjackings can occur. There have been muggings around Cerro de la Cruz, an isolated hill overlooking the city, early in the morning and later in the evening when fewer people are around. You can minimize these risks by using reputable transportation services, avoiding dimly lit or unpopulated areas, and not displaying wealth or valuables. Specific precautions to take are listed below, and here are tips and guidance on staying safe in general.

Personally, I felt very safe in the colonial center of Antigua, more than I do in many places in the U.S. I felt comfortable taking photos freely with my iPhone, though I was careful in the main market that’s a bit outside of the center, and saw plenty of people carrying fancy cameras. Be more cautious the farther you get from the center (the core being Parque Central). I would recommend beautiful Antigua to everyone!

How to stay safer

  • Avoid public transportation, including chicken buses, and white car taxis.

  • Use trusted taxi services like Taxis Amarillo Express, Taxi Seguro, or Uber.

  • Avoid less populated or poorly lit areas, especially when it’s dark.

  • Do not hike trails or volcanoes around Antigua without a qualified local guide.

  • Try to keep personal belongings, like expensive cameras and phones, out of sight.

  • Do not fight back if someone tries to steal from you or you could get hurt.

In case of emergency

Guatemala has a program to assist and protect foreign tourists called PROATUR. They work with tourist police in Antigua and other popular cities. They have a 24/7 emergency call center staffed with English and Spanish speakers, which you should call if you are the victim of a crime. You can reach them by calling +502-2290-2810 or 1500 from a Guatemalan phone number. You can also contact them by WhatsApp at +502-5188-1819. I also recommend contacting your country’s embassy in Guatemala for additional support. It’s one of the embassy’s most important responsibilities to support citizens abroad.