[carlyincali]

I want to take pics of everything about our pick-up trip. Does anyone know if camera's are alowed into the embassy?

[jennandsteve]

No, you can bring one and leave it in a bag before you go in and take pics outside but you can't take one in. I suppose it is for security...

[MicheleB]

Not only can you not bring one in the embassy - don't make the mistake of taking a photo OF the outside of the embassy. The armed guards will confiscate your camera and film (digital card). Because of high security reasons (ie: 9/11) - photos outside and inside the embassy are prohibited.

I personally know of two people who took photos of the outside and lost thier camera's.

Thanks for bringing this up though - this hasn't been brought up in awhile and might save some people from some grief!

[jennandsteve]

Oh wow, I didn't know you couldn't do it outside either. We didn't try and didn't see anyone else try so didn't realize!

Jenn

[dovelu]

Yep! We took a photo outside and got a very long lecture and lost our camera. It was returned afterwards though with a strict warning...

Of course we never would have taken the photo had we realized this rule!

Good question,
Amy

[Sarahsmom818]

No cameras, video equipment, recording devices, cell phones, toys that require batteries or anything of that nature. If you take any of these items with you, you will have to leave them at the front desk with a picture id to get them back.
Sherry

[mom2noahymariana]

Not sure if this still applies or not, but when we were there in September 2001 (Two weeks after 9/11) we were not allowed to wear perfume or cologne. Kind of weird, I thought. We were told (at that time) (1) bottle, (1) diaper, (1) baby & paperwork! That was all that we could take!

[lovetoadopt]

We learned first hand in 1999 as we were circling the Embassy waiting for our lawyer. At the red light we immediately had about 4 armed guards yelling at us in Spanish. Our driver got out and started yelling at them and the lawyer turned around and told us to lay our baby down in the back seat. They were demanding our passports (which our lawyer told us not to give to them). Finally an American came out and called the Embassy and told them our names. They let us go and we still have the video recording of the Embassy. It was VERY scary!

You can't bring anything other than formula either. I brought a can of Pringles and they were taken. They do give them back to you when you exit though.

Linda

[Mindybeth6]

We went in January of this year and took a fully packed diaper bag. Baby food, toys (no batteries), bottles, formula, bibs, diapers, wipes, all of that stuff IN my BIG diaper bag and many other people had the same thing. THey ran it through the scanner and it was fine. NO CELLS, VIDEO CAMERAS, OR CAMERAS. Just don't take them. Period:-) They will get taken...we saw it happen and by the way...we were just STANDING outside the front doors of the EMbassy to get some fresh air after we were done (we had to wait for someone else from our agency) and they MADLY made up go back inside. We were ticked. It was so hot in there.
Hugs

[myguatbabes]

Depending on the security level at the time of your trip, you may be able to take more baby items in, but don't count on it. I have done this three times and our agency always says to bring ONLY the necessities. Our facilitator on the ground in Guatemala tells us what we can and can't take, but NEVER a camera, cell phone, or anything electronic!!!

Good luck!