[mommyto2guatboys]

I know this question comes up often, but lately there has just been so much in the news about crime in Guatemala and so much anti adoption talk, etc. I really really want to go back to Guatemala with my 2 boys and my husband in August but I am hesitant because of everything that is going on there. I know it has always been crime ridden, but we did go back last year in May and had a great time. It wasn't too unsafe feeling then, but I did get a very different vibe when I was there 7months later in December. I really would only be in the City and Antigua. So my question is for those who have traveled lately, do you think it is safe to travel with two 4 year olds to Guatemala? Anyone heard any news from friends in Guatemala about traveling?

Thanks so much,

Magen
My family!

[AdoptAmiga]

In my personal opinion, I would not travel w/our two Guatemalan born children (ages 6 & 7) to Guatemala at this time. Travel to Guate in 2009 is too much of a risk for this bilingual family (and DH is Latino).

Happy and safe travels if you decide to visit beautiful Guatemala.

[P.E.Z.]

I totally agree with adoptAmiga, My husband and I have traveled to Guatemala 4 times together and once he went on a construction mission trip with a group of men .
When we were there the end of March09 , it was totally different from our other trips .
We stayed at the same hotel and went to the same mall with restraunts in Oct 2006 when we visited Lexis , let me also add people were very friendly ,but the 1st evening we were there this time we went to the mall to eat and it was VERY uncomfortable ,to say the least , the people were looking at us with a look that seemed like the were thinking we had just
" bought their children for body parts "
When we got back to the hotel , my husband said to me , I don't think we better take the girls out of the hotel , then I KNEW I should be concerned , because my husband does not feel that way usually .
So when he was concerned , I was a bit freaked .
We only went shopping one day with our friend who is Guatemalan , We did feel very safe with her .
But MY PERSONAL opinion is also at THIS TIME it would not be my choice to travel to Guatemala .
I do believe the mood will change over time .

[angel_bayou]

Sorry you felt uneasy in December but I on the other hand felt like I was not in any harm. I also never felt out of place or that things were any different. I feel like it's safe to take my children back with me and I'm doing so this December. I also know a friend who just returned from a week there at the begining of the year and she's going back for two weeks at the end of the month. She said she never felt unsafe or uneasy either!
Good luck on your decision Magen!

[mommyto2guatboys]

Vanessa,
I actually wasn't too uneasy when we were out and about in Pana, I did feel mostly safe. It was more the fact that afterwards talking with many Guatemalans about visiting Guatemala, people on the plane, foster families, etc that I started to realize how unsafe we could have been! I do know the feel of everything there to me was different in December then in May, even just the looks, the talk from others and I want to be cautious when traveling with the kids, and you know my very worried husband! I know you and the kids will be safe in Pana in December, I just know I could never convince my husband to do that trip with the kids!

Magen
My family!

[cborsa7]

I agree with the few other posters.
Just as I wouldn't take my son to other high crime places (even in the US) I would not put my children at risk by taking them to Guatemala at this time. JMO

[b_fettes]

Hi, we are traveling for 3 weeks this summer. I am interested in the responses to this question too. Is there actually any evidence that everything is so different. Has anyone actually experienced any problems, witnessed any attacks etc?
Thanks

Mary

[KayV]

Actually, there was a segment on npr this week about the crime in Guatemala City and areas of the city that even the police won't venture into anymore. You can read the latest reports on national public radio's (npr) website. Just type Guatemala in the search bar.

KayV

[b_fettes]

Thanks for the info- we are staying in Antigua and Atitlan. Is there any more info on those areas?
Thanks again for answering.

Mary

[gabriella_heart]

I have posted this before, but I would not take my child to Guatemala at this time. Why take such a serious risk? It is a known violent place right now. Not worth it to me. Good luck in your decision!

[Alexismandyjr]

Again, like the above posters stated THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION.... in addition to that, the attorney that assisted in our adoptions is a personal friend of mine and keeps in contact with me. We still communicate with each other. I recently asked if it would be safe to travel there with the boys. She said she honestly did not recommend us travel right now. That is all she needed to say to me! I'm Latin and speak perfect Spanish and still would not take a chance.

I'll wait a while and I'm sure that this too shall pass. We will travel when there is less media attention being placed on Guatemalan adoptions. I don't want to take my family anywhere where they feel unsafe. We will return to Guatemala but not until I feel it's safe for us to travel without being concerned about it.

[mcfadden5]

I'm actually living in Guatemala right now fostering my 7 year-old daughter. I've been here for 6 weeks by myself (living next door to missionaries), and I feel safe.

People do look at us with inquistive minds, but mostly just smiles and a few will ask if I'm adopting. We try not to go out after dark, but I feel safe at the restaurants and the malls. I will include the fact that I'm blonde-haired, green eyed, and fair skinned, so we really stand out in a crowd. So far, so good, and God is taking care of us. I am praying to get home soon to the rest of my family; but in the meantime; I feel fine here.

[sal1]

We were just there in March for a visit with 2 little ones. We spent time both in Guat. City and at Atitlan. We didn't have any problems or feel unsafe at all, especially outside of Guat. City. I think if you use your common sense and don't venture in places that are typically unsafe you should be fine. Also, we had a great driver that I don't think would have ever taken us to anywhere that is considered unsafe. I think that makes all the difference too.
Sarah

[angel_bayou]

I just wanted to pose a question here hopefully without too much contraversy. Do you think the feel has actually changed in the country or did your feelings change? I hope you understand what I mean about that. Like when you first traveled maybe you were thtilled to be there and since your child was there you may not have looked so deep into the crime. I know for a fact even when I was adopting in 06' my uncle warned me of the high crime rates in GC because he watches the spanish news channel and they were constantly talking about it.
Besides I will tell you living near New Orleans makes you think hard because there's ALWAYS killings on the news almost daily! I think if you choose to travel you should be amart about where you go and what you do.
Good luck Meg, I know Tony is going to make sure you all are safe if you choose to go back!

[GuateRose]

Same as mcfadden5. We have been living here for more than 4 years trying to finish adoptions. Yes, we get a lot of "looks", but we just smile and keep going! We are rarely out after dark, and try to be aware of our surroundings at all times. We do avoid the known danger areas.

I don't know if I would bring my children back right now if I was in the states. Never thought too much about it, because we don't have the option of leaving. But we have had no problems living here.