<p>I don't want to describe how stupid the story is but I bought the ticket and I have to go (ticket is non-refundable) don't wanna dump it.</p>
<p>Is it recommended to go there ALONE? I will visit couple cities there and the major concern is really the safety. Any advice?</p>
<p>Well, now since you are going, make the best of it. I don’t know much about Guatemala, but read up on it. I would say that, if you are going for only a week, stay in one city and stick to standardized tours during the day. I have heard that, out of the Central American countries, Guatemala in particular has a crime problem. But its also one of the more interesting countries!</p>
<p>Is it really worth risking your life? I wouldn’t go to, of all places Guatemela, alone.</p>
<p>Why Guatemala?</p>
<p>But I think its a good idea to go to exotic places in general. I’d like to visit Sao Paulo but I don’t have the time or the money.</p>
<p>Be careful, but at the same time be adventurous and make the most of your visit.</p>
<p>if you’re female, i probably wouldnt, id try and exchange the ticket/use it at another time</p>
<p>On second thought, I would go with what luckycharmed and Entity said. Though I would not say that you are risking your life.</p>
<p>I am a male…I don’t think I can miss Antigua and Tikal if skipping the volcano part…</p>
<p>I would go alone- and I’m female. Seriously, people have all these stereotypes about Latin America and it’s really not all that bad. I’m probably going to either Bolivia or Venezuela alone this summer. </p>
<p>As long as you speak Spanish and aren’t stupid, you’re fine. Like, don’t go wandering out into the slums in the middle of the night.</p>
<p>There’s crime everywhere. Do you worry about getting mugged every time you step out onto the street near your college? There’s violence and crime everywhere. If you’re always worried about it, then you’re never going to do anything meaningful with your life because you’ll be too afraid to do it. Go for it!</p>
<p>If you’re a female with american clothes, carrying your brightly colored purse strapped around narrow feminine arms (i.e. looking like a vulnerable rich tourist) then I would be extra careful.</p>
<p>SilverClover: I wouldn’t compare violence in US colleges to violence in certain developing latin american countries.</p>
<p>My father’s from that country and beware. I know people get all upset about stereotypes, but seriously, this one is true. Be very careful around there because tourists are easy targets, especially if you don’t look anything like the natives. In other words, if you’re white. Keep your bag safe and close to you at all times. Don’t trust others easily and don’t wear anything that sparkles.</p>
<p>Even if it’s actually cheap, if it looks valuable, it’ll get stolen. Don’t wear any jewelary at all. Make sure your clothes are plain. Don’t wear anything designer or something that looks like it costs a lot. You’re better off stickinig to the cities because the rural parts can get ugly. People will cut off your fingers for rings. Oh, and the violence is worse in Central American than South America.</p>
<p>In El Salvador, The cops don’t do anything either because the criminals run the show. They don’t get sentenced because the judges know if they name them guilty, they’ll be targets for gangs. My aunt works for a judge and she says it’s really upsetting.</p>