[honeycustard]

Just wondering is it safe to walk around Guatemala city, or just basically hang out in the hotel area. Do they have a indoor pool???

[minemake14]

No it is not. Until you are out of PGN and have the paperwork (passport etc) to prove the child is legally yours, you would be foolish to leave the hotel with a child. Police have been known to stop people with children and make life VERY difficult for them. It is simple not worth the risk to your child or you. I visited four times, and never set foot outside the hotel with my child until i had a passport for him. The Marriot and Westin have great pools and plenty of walking space.

[Nagra]

It is very social at the hotel.

[laura-jean]

our agency specifically told us not to leave the hotel with our daughter and we abided. it is not worth the trouble and risk. did your agency advise you on this? mine made it very clear!

since the adoption wouldn't be finalized yet, it could be quite a mess if you are stopped.

there are so many people that are adopting to talk to, and such relaxing surroundings (at the marriott anyway) that you will have plenty of fun getting to know your child, taking pictures of them, chatting, and encouraging other adoptive parents, and eating more than you want too.

i personally would never jeopardize complications with my adoption for a walk around town or other ativities.

before i visited i had a lot of questions too. this is all new and exciting to us! you are wise to ask. i have heard of people getting stopped and it causing lots of trouble.

believe me you will be content to just stare into your little ones eyes...

i am very excited for you going for a visit. we so enjoyed ours. it was hard to leave her but well worth the hint of the life to come with her!

Laura Jean
John 3:16

[oh well]

You will need to stay near the hotels to stay safe...but that said, there are "tours" you can go on, such as to Antigua or to the artisan markets, (free shuttle from the Marriott) or to the Zoo, very near the Marriott...but baby should stay in hotel till adoption is final, you and dh could take turns leaving hotel....Most large modern hotels are in the "more modern" end of town...Zones....read some travel books about Guatemala before you go...most local public librarys have them, you will learn a bunch about your childs birth place. We found some taxi drivers (ones who speak english) will not even take you to the "unsafe" parts of town due to inability to get auto insurance if they go there....Guatemala can be dangerous, so stay near the modern hotels in my opinion...and I would definately not "Walk" around the city, at least not on my first trip there, unless I had an interperter with me! (Unless it was to Mcdonalds near the Marriott)!!! Some on the site are more adventurous and have gone many places in the City....just be careful and use good sense...oh well.

[ivysmom]

It depends on your atty and if you are on your final pick up trip or not. Most of the main hotels have lots of AP thre to hang out with and soem have pools some don't. I agree wiht oh well that you should be ok if you go on a hotel directed tour like to antigua or to the artisan market by the zoo. I went to the zoo a few times and found that to very very safe as well. Your abilty to go palces will depend alot on how much spanish you know.
Nina

[csw]

Hi
Do whatever your agency tells you...I was told we could leave the hotel..just dont look "touristy"..dont wear flashy clothes or shorts etc...My first visit was 10 days and I had planned on staying in Antigua the whole time, but the baby was very sick..so I had to stay in the city most of the days because I wanted to be close to the doc in GC..if you are going for an extended stay or to foster..you can rent a apt or townhouse in Antigua..per your agencies permission..and it is very safe and lots of adoptive families walking around...I went to the zoo in GC, 2 mueseums, the zone 1 GC tour (National Cathedral, National Palace) ..this tour was in a private car with a private tour guide..I went to Antigua 4x, including living there at the end..I lived in Peru for six months with our son's adoption so I felt pretty comfortable in Guatemala..but like I said, just do what your agency says..on your final trip you could come a few days early and go to the Lake, Antigua etc.,without the baby,,then go back to the city/hotel and receive the baby after..I have known of some who do that! Have fun...Cathy

[SMS]

I have been to Guatemala 7 times...5 times by myself!

I agree if this is a short visit I would stay close to the hotel. If you are out of PGN..yes it is safe. I advise people if they want to go out at night make sure you have someone like my friend Myriam who picks you up at the hotel and will take you to a local restaurant..

It is safe but dont let you guard down as you would in any city!

[BEBE]

When we went down for the pick up trip, we were told NOT to leave the Hotel with the baby untill AFTER we had the final paper work from the Embassy. Of course she had to go to the Embassy with us. But we never left the Hotel with the baby. Our agency told us not to. We stayed in the hotel and walked around inside, ate at that rest. etc. We stayed at the Clarion and LOVED it!

[becky]

I know there are people who have gone outside their hotels with the baby on a visit and have not been stoppped...BUT if you are the unlucky one who is stopped you could have a lot of trouble. You are not legally responsible for that child and you do not have legal custody...so there could be major issues.

Just stay at the Marriott...there are plenty of restaurants, plenty of adoptive families to hang out with, and a nice pool...you'll have lots of fun. Do your sightseeing before the baby arrives, or after she leaves...do not risk your safety or that of your baby by going outside of the hotel on a visit!!

[honeycustard]

Thank you everyone for all your posts. You helped so much. Will definetley keep in touch and let you know whats happening.

[Kristin Cheek]

We stayed at the Marriott on our first adoption, and I want to share a little incident that happened to me. My husband went into a local bank to exchange some currency, and because there were tons of steps, and we had the baby with us in the stroller, I decided to wait outside in the shade, inside the fenced-in compound. NOT A SMART IDEA! I was approached by a local vagrant, and he began making very suggestive gestures to me, and then tried to kiss the baby which really upset me. Then he handed me a piece of paper with a phone number on it, and when I loudly said no, and stepped in front of my baby, the armed guard by the bank finally intervened and ran him off. We are awaiting the adoption of our new daughter, and I can tell you this, that we will be sticking very close to the hotel this time. (Yes we plan to stay at the Marriott again, it is a great hotel.) Please be careful and remember you are in a different country when you travel. Our trip otherwise was completely safe, and without incident, but I could kick myself for doing something that would be safe in the U.S., and not using my head. Be Safe!