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Judicial Assistance Country Information

Travel.State.Gov > Legal Resources > Judicial Assistance Country Information  > Guatemala Judicial Assistance Information

Guatemala

Guatemala
Republic of Guatemala
Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to crime. Some areas have higher risks. Please read the full Travel Advisory.

There was no change to the advisory level. The “terrorism” risk indicator was added. Advisory summary was updated.

Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have higher risks. Please read the full Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

  • San Marcos Department due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.
  • Huehuetenango Department due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.
  • Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva due to crime and terrorism by cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.

Advisory summary

Some areas of Guatemala have higher levels of gang-related violence. Crimes include robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking, assaults, and murders. Local law enforcement often struggles to address serious crimes. This leads to low arrest and conviction rates.

Tourists can become victims of opportunistic crimes such as scams and extortion.

There is risk of terrorist attacks and other terrorist activities from cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations in San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City, and the city of Villa Nueva. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.

Tourist Assistance Program

Guatemala offers the Tourist Assistance Program (ASISTUR) to protect tourists.

  • ASISTUR partners with tourist police (DISETUR) in popular areas like Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Quetzaltenango, Puerto Barrios, and Coban.
  • Dial 1500 or +502-2290-2810 anytime from a Guatemalan phone number. You can also message them on WhatsApp at +502-5188-1819. Their emergency call center operates in Spanish and English.
  • You can request a security escort if your group feels unsafe.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

  • U.S. government employees and their families are not permitted to travel to the San Marcos Department, Huehuetenango Department, Zone 18 in Guatemala City, and Villa Nueva due to safety risks.
  • U. S. government employees can travel to other parts of Guatemala and visit popular destinations like Tikal, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and the Pacific coast areas in Santa Rosa and Escuintla. However, U.S. government employees should avoid driving outside Guatemala City at night. This is due to poor lighting and safety risks.
  • Outside of Zone 18 and Villa Nueva, U.S. government employees and their families can travel throughout Guatemala City, including at night.
  • U.S. government employees may not use white taxis or public transportation, like “chicken buses.” This is due to the high chance of crime and injury.
  • Visit the U.S. embassy in Guatemala City’s website. You will find local resources, like legal help and medical services. You will also find information on residence and work permits, and driver’s licenses. It also covers rules about bringing weapons into Guatemala.

Risks in specific areas

San Marcos Department - Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do Not Travel to San Marcos Department due to risk of crime and terrorism.

U.S. government employees and their families cannot go to the San Marcos Department for personal travel.

  • Do not travel to San Marcos Department for any reason.
  • There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.
  • Some towns do not have enough police. Local officers may not have the resources to handle serious crimes.  
  • Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Huehuetenango Department - Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do Not Travel to Huehuetenango Department due to risk of crime and terrorism.

U.S. government employees and their families cannot go to Huehuetenango Department for personal travel.

  • Do not travel to Huehuetenango Department for any reason.
  • There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations.
  • Some towns do not have enough police. Local officers may not have the resources to handle serious crimes.
  • Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva - 

Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do Not Travel to Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva due to risk of crime and terrorism.

U.S. government employees and their families are not allowed to travel to or through Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva. This is due to the risk of violence from terrorist groups, gangs, and criminal organizations.

  • Do not travel to Zone 18 in Guatemala City and the city of Villa Nueva for any reason.
  • Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

If you decide to travel to Guatemala:

  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
  • Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
  • Review our information on Terrorism and Travel to High-Risk Areas.
  • Never leave drinks unattended in bars and restaurants. Decline invitations from strangers to private parties.
  • Consider staying in hotels that have secure parking, doormen, and professional security staff.
  • Use trusted taxi services like Taxis Amarillo Express, Taxi Seguro, or Uber. Only use INGUAT-approved taxis from the “SAFE” stand at the airport, hotel taxis, or vetted private drivers. Avoid public transport and white taxis, as well as “chicken buses.”
  • Do not hike trails or volcanoes without a qualified local guide. Robberies can happen and getting help can be difficult.
  • Avoid using public ATMs. Do not show signs of wealth like expensive watches or jewelry. Try not to use your phone in public.
  • Drivers and motorcycles often do not stop for crosswalks, streetlights, or stop signs. Make sure vehicles come to a complete stop before crossing.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Guatemala.
  • Review the Traveler’s Checklist and make a plan for emergencies.
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Guatemala.
  • Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
  • We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
... [READ MORE]

Hague/Inter-American

Party to Hague Service Convention?
No
Party to Hague Evidence Convention?
No
Party to Hague Apostille Convention?
Yes
Party to Inter-American Convention?
Yes
Service of Process by Mail?
NA

DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A SPECIFIC CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE APPROPRIATE FOREIGN AUTHORITIES OR FOREIGN COUNSEL.

 

ALL / ALL /

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Guatemala City
Boulevard Austriaco 11-51, Zone 16
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Emergency after-hours telephone: 2354 0000 (From inside Guatemala)
+502 2354 0000 or 1-301-985-8164 (From outside Guatemala)
Contact: U.S. Citizens Services Navigator

List of Attorneys

List of Attorneys - U.S. Embassy Guatemala

Guatemala is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters. The United States and Guatemala are parties to the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory and Additional Protocol. The U.S. Central Authority for the treaty is the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Office of Foreign Litigation, Washington, D.C.  Requests for service under the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory and Additional Protocol may be sent to the U.S. Department of Justice's contractor, ABC Legal, for transmittal to the Guatemalan Central Authority. 

Service on a Foreign State: See also our Service Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) feature and FSIA Checklist for questions about service on a foreign state, agency or instrumentality.

Prosecution Requests: U.S. federal or state prosecutors should also contact the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice for guidance.

Defense Requests in Criminal Matters: Criminal defendants or their defense counsel seeking judicial assistance in obtaining evidence or in effecting service of documents abroad in connection with criminal matters may do so via the letters rogatory process.

Guatemala is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters.

Guatemala permits the taking of voluntary depositions of U.S. citizens and permanent residents in Guatemala on notice or pursuant to a commission.  However, American attorneys would be well-advised not to participate in the taking of a deposition in Guatemala without the supervision of a Guatemalan attorney. Some Guatemalan legal experts believe that the taking of a deposition in Guatemala by a foreign attorney without the supervision of a Guatemalan attorney could possibly subject the American attorney to the criminal charge that he is engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in Guatemala. Contact the U.S. Embassy directly to make arrangements to schedule the availability of U.S. consular premises for the taking of a deposition or to schedule a deposition outside of consular premises.

Guatemala is not a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Legalization of Foreign Public Documents.  Documents issued in the United States may be authenticated for use in Guatemala by (a) contacting the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office and (b) then having the seal of the U.S. Department of State authenticated by the Embassy of Guatemala in Washington, D.C. Documents issued in U.S. states must first be authenticated by the designated state authority, generally the state Secretary of State.

Last Updated: November 15, 2013

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Guatemala City
Boulevard Austriaco 11-51, Zone 16
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Telephone
+(502) 2354-0000
Emergency
+(502) 2354-0000
Fax
null
Email
AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov
Website
https://gt.usembassy.gov/

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