Embassy of the United States Guatemala

Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. While most of the tourists visiting Guatemala are able to safely complete their tours, it is important that visitors observe basic precautions in order to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

If you are a U.S. citizen and become a victim of crime in Guatemala, you should first call the police at 120, 122 or 123 (the local equivalents of 911), or contact the closest police station.

If the police are not available, please call the Guatemalan office of Assistance to Tourists ("ASISTUR"), which operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to provide emergency aid to tourists. ASISTUR has three phone numbers: 1500, 2421-2810, and 5578-9836. The fax number is 2421-2891.

You should also call the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City at 502-2326-4501 if you need additional assistance (such as passport replacement) and to report the crime. On weekends and outside regular work hours, please call 502-2326-4000 to reach the Duty Officer. Please note that the Embassy Duty Officer will not be able to issue you a replacement passport, for which you will have to wait until the next regular business day.

• American Citizen Services Unit Office Hours
• Hours For Emergencies After Office Hours, Contact the Embassy
• Guatemala: Country Specific Information (November 2012)
  

Recent Emergency Messages to U.S. Citizens

2013

• 01/17/13 - Demonstrations in Chichicastenango (PDF - 75kb)

2012

• Worldwide Caution

• 10/25/12 - Voting Information: Final Opportunities to Return Voted Ballots (PDF - 48kb)
• 10/02/12 - Voting Information (PDF - 64kb)
• 09/13/12 - Increased Activity at Fuego Volcano (PDF - 45kb)
• 09/07/12 - Town Hall Meetings in Retalhuleu and Escuintla (PDF - 43kb)
• 09/04/12 - Seismic Activity at Fuego Volcano (PDF - 72kb)
• 08/07/12 - Hurricane Ernesto (PDF - 51kb)
• 07/31/12 - Guatemala National Police Presence in Zone 13 (PDF - 41kb)
• 07/24/12 - Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (PDF - 42kb)
• 06/06/12 - Hurricane and Typhoon Season 2012 (PDF - 57kb)
• 04/09/12 - Town Hall Meetings (PDF - 41kb)
• 03/19/12 - Influenza A (H1N1) flu. (PDF - 78kb)
• 02/27/12 - Town Hall Meeting Río Dulce and Livingston (PDF - 41kb)
• 02/27/12 - Online Passport Application Procedures (PDF - 43kb)
• 02/22/12 - Absentee Vote 2012: Informative Session in Puerto Barrios, Izabal (PDF - 38kb)
• 02/17/12 - Town Hall Meeting Quetzaltenango (PDF - 38kb)
• 02/17/12 - Town Hall Meeting Panajachel (PDF - 38kb)
• 01/09/12 - Hazardous Materials (PDF - 103kb)

If Lost or Stolen

• Helpful Tips If You’ve Been Robbed  
• Lost / Stolen Passports (PDF - 61kb)
• Lost / Stolen Credit Cards (PDF - 37kb)
• Attorneys (English-speaking) in Guatemala (PDF - 83kb)
  

Sending Money to a U.S. Citizen Overseas

• Western Union
• Instructions for Sending Money to Guatemala
• Instructions for using Mastercard or Visa to send money to Guatemala
• Overseas Citizen Services (OCS) Trust, Through the Dept. of State
• Guatemala does not accept International Money Orders