Last Updated on July 29, 2025
Guatemala is often associated with crime and violence. In talking with people, I’ve found this reputation keeps some from considering traveling there.
It’s true that the crime rate in Guatemala is on the higher end, particularly in Guatemala City. But this shouldn’t dissuade people from visiting this Central American country.
Crime in Guatemala City doesn’t mean that the entire country has high crime rates. In fact, most of the tourist trail throughout Guatemala is very safe. Including Lake Atitlan!
Lake Atitlan was the second stop on my Guatemala itinerary. It was one of my first trips to Central America, and if I’m totally honest, I was a bit nervous! In telling people about the trip, many brought up the unsafe reputation that Guatemala has.
Lake Atitlan, and the rest of Guatemala, showed me otherwise. I felt totally safe throughout my trip.
Is Lake Atitlan Safe to Visit?
In my experience, yes, Lake Atitlan is safe to visit. According to local people I chatted with in Lake Atitlan, the biggest risk you’ll face there is petty crime like pickpocketing and theft.
While petty crime is frustrating, the reality is that there’s a risk of it wherever you are in the world, so this shouldn’t deter you from visiting Lake Atitlan.
As with traveling anywhere, it’s important to check for local updates before and throughout your trip, because safety conditions in Lake Atitlan have the potential to change.
It’s also important to note that in many cases, safety is a perception. During my time in Lake Atitlan I felt safe, but that is from the perspective of a white, hetero woman (that’s me!) who was accompanied by her partner.
My experience doesn’t represent the experience of all people or women in Lake Atitlan. So although I felt safe, I can’t speak for women who look different than me, have different backgrounds than mine, or women who travel solo in Antigua.
The best way to get a sense of safety? Ask people who actually live there. I did this, and was assured that Lake Atitlan is safe aside from petty crime.
It’s also always a good call to ask someone who looks like you, is from where you’re from, and has been to Antigua what their experience was.
Quick Facts About Lake Atitlan for Travelers
Before diving into safety tips for Lake Atitlan, let’s go over some interesting historical facts about this region of Guatemala.
- Lake Atitlan is approximately 19 kilometers (12 miles) long and 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) at its widest point.
- The lake’s basin was formed nearly 85,000 years ago as a result of volcanic activity. Surrounding the lake today are three dormant volcanoes: Volcan San Pedro, Volcan Toliman, and Volcan Atitlan.
- The lake is 5,200 feet above sea level. This, and its proximity to the equator gives Lake Atitlan a spring-like climate all throughout the year.
- Lake Atitlan is surrounded by 12 Indigenous villages that are mainly inhabited by Kakchiquel and Tz’utujil. Some of these communities include San Pedro La Laguna, San Juan La Laguna, and Santiago Atitlán. They are all connected by water taxis.
- Lake Atitlan is protected as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Lake Atitlan Safe Areas for Visitors
In my experience, the communities around Lake Atitlan are safe. My partner and I visited San Pedro La Laguna, San Marcos La Laguna, Santiago, and Panajachel. We were comfortable walking throughout these communities, including in less touristy areas, without ever feeling unsafe.
Areas to Avoid in Lake Atitlan
There are no specific areas of Lake Atitlan that you should purposefully avoid. However, there are some areas that you should be careful in, to avoid petty crime like pickpocketing.
Crowded places like markets, and popular tourist areas are often target areas for pickpockets. In these places, be aware of what is going on around you, and keep an eye on your personal belongings. Make sure your bags are zipped up and secure, and if you can, keep your bags in front of you.
In my experience, this advice is true of anywhere in the world. Pickpocketing exists in basically every city around the world, so it’s best to make it a habit that you’re cautious and aware, whenever you’re anywhere that’s crowded.
How to Get Help in Lake Atitlan
In the event you need help from police, firefighters, or medical, here are the numbers to dial in Guatemala:
- Police: 110 / 120.
- Medical assistance: 122 / 123.
- Firefighters: 122 / 123.
When I traveled to Lake Atitlan, I made sure to have these numbers saved in my phone. This way, I had easy access to them, just in case.
Ensure you have purchased travel insurance prior to arriving in Guatemala, in case of an emergency, particularly medical. If anything goes wrong health-wise, insurance is peace of mind that you’ll be reimbursed for the costs spent in a medical center or hospital.
Should you need medical attention, there are a few medical centers and hospitals around Lake Atitlan.
Lake Atitlan has many small clinics staffed with doctors, and the larger cities have hospitals. Hospitalito Atitlán in Santiago is a non-government non-profit hospital that is well-reviewed.
7 Essential Tips For Safe Travel in Lake Atitlan
Traveling to Lake Atitlan? Here are 7 safety tips to keep in mind.
1. Update Your Travel Vaccinations
Before traveling to Lake Atitlan (and the rest of Guatemala), ensure your routine vaccinations are all up to date.
You’ll also want to check your local country’s travel guidelines, or contact a travel clinic, to see if there are additional recommended vaccines.
For example, people traveling to Guatemala from countries where yellow fever is present, are required to be vaccinated against yellow fever. You may also want to inquire about vaccination against rabies, hepatitis, and medication for malaria prevention.
2. Purchase Travel Insurance For Your Trip
No one wants things to go wrong on their trip, but sometimes accidents happen. Whether it’s a long flight delay, lost luggage, or a health issue, travel insurance will have your back while you’re in Lake Atitlan.
Travel insurance provides support, compensation, and medical care when things go wrong while traveling.
Depending on your policy, it can provide support and compensation if your luggage is lost, if you break a bone, or if you need to return home early due to an emergency in the family. It’s a financial safety net for your valuables and for emergencies.
3. Be Cautious At Night
The communities around Lake Atitlan tend to shut down early in the evening. At night, most businesses are closed.
This means that the streets become quite empty, and you can find yourself totally alone in dim lighting. There are some bars and clubs that are open late, which of course, you might want to check out.
If you do, I recommend going to them with a group so that you have a buddy system walking back to your hotel or hostel. If possible, instead of walking, take a taxi or tuk-tuk back to your accommodation.
4. Practice Cultural Sensitivity in Lake Atitlan
Having awareness about Guatemalan culture, and being sensitive to Guatemalan cultural norms is one important way you can be a responsible tourist.
Guatemalan culture is characterized by a fusion of Spanish and Indigenous influences. Here are some key tips for being culturally sensitive in Lake Atitlan, and the rest of Guatemala.
- Guatemalans take titles like “doctor” seriously. Whenever possible, these formal titles should be used when addressing a person in discussion or in writing.
- You should not take photos of Maya people without their permission. It’s considered offensive, and has the potential to intrude upon their spiritual beliefs.
- Guatemala is in many ways a formal, conservative country. You’ll notice that Guatemalan and Maya women wear traditional dress, and local men tend to wear pants rather than shorts. In general, people cover up. Given this, I recommend avoiding showing too much skin. For example, avoid crop tops and go for breathable linen pants instead of shorts.
While in Lake Atitlan, you can deep travel by taking the time to learn about local Indigenous, Maya culture. For example, head to Santiago to visit the Mayan folk saint Maximón.
5. Keep An Eye on Your Luggage and Belongings
While in Lake Atitlan and the rest of Guatemala, don’t lose sight of your luggage, backpack, or other valuables. Especially in crowded areas, you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings and avoid leaving your things unmonitored.
It’s also always a good idea to limit the amount of baggage you’re carrying with you. Pickpockets often look for people who are carrying a tangle of bags, because when you’ve got lots of things, it’s harder to keep an eye on it all.
6. Carry Cash For the Day
Regardless of where I am in the world, I only ever carry the amount of cash I will need for a day. The remainder of cash that I have is left in my hotel room, hotel safety box, or hostel locker.
I recommend doing this in Lake Atitlan. That way, if you lose your wallet or bag, or get pickpocketed, you won’t have lost all of your cash.
What about credit cards? In my experience, it’s not worth it to use them in Lake Atitlan. Most of my purchases (food, bus tickets, water) were small ticket items. Using a credit card to pay for such a small bill isn’t worth the hassle.
I used my credit card to pay for larger bills, like for accommodation. Aside from that, I left my credit cards in my hotel and hostel rooms throughout my trip, rather than taking them out for the day with me.
7. Keep Up With the Latest News
While in Guatemala, you can keep up with local new alerts by setting up Google Alerts for Lake Atitlan, and Guatemala. You’ll then receive email updates with the latest news.
It’s always a good idea to register your trip with the government in your home country. Being Canadian, I always use Registration of Canadians Abroad.
It’s a free service that allows the Government of Canada to notify you in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest.
It’s also worth following La Policía Nacional Civil (National Police) at @PNCdeGuatemala on X for updates on crime, gang activity and potential natural disasters. Just note that these updates are in Spanish.
Final Thoughts on Traveling Safely in Lake Atitlan
It’s totally normal to have fear or hesitation before traveling somewhere new. Guatemala does have a reputation for being unsafe – which honestly, I think may be unfair.
In my own travels in Guatemala, I never felt unsafe, and I know many people who had the same experience. Guatemala is absolutely worth visiting, so don’t hesitate. Do your research and be prepared and aware, and you’ll be fine in Guatemala!
Remember that there is crime everywhere, and as long as you take the necessary precautions, that shouldn’t deter you from exploring and seeing the world.
Do you want to know more about responsible tourism? Read my post about travel privilege, and tips for traveling sustainably.
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