[odgflower]

We are finally ready to plan our trip to Guatemala to visit our son, Boden. I was just wondering if anyone knows if young children are required to ride in car seats in Guatemala. We have two small children, ages 1 and 2 that will be on this trip with us, and we plan on doing some sight seeing while we are in the country. We know we are taking one car seat wih us, but didn't know if we would have to have one for each of them. Does anyone know?

TIA
--Roxanne

[sak9645]

You won't even find cars with seat belts in most of the countries from which Americans adopt! Forget about car seat laws!

Take a car seat if it makes you feel more comfortable about safety on the plane, but don't expect to need one -- or even to be able to use one all the time -- while on your trip.

[teranga]

We didn't take ours for the cars...but we did take one which we used for restaurants in the evening. We knew high chairs wouldn't be available, so we took a car seat and sat our little guy in there while we ate. About 50% of the time, he fell asleep in it so we had quite a few relaxed dinners!

As for the cars...I'd have to agree w/Sharon...

[CareBears82]

Yeah my friend said that was the biggest problem when they got home. With a 3 year old not used to a carseat. We still have problems with him. He likes to take the straps off. She was going to bring his down, but glad she didn't. She said if there was an accident it would just be something weighted for him to fly with.

[MomofFelix]

I would also check with your agency to be sure that you can be "mobile" on the visit trip. We were restricted to the hotel for 7 days. They didn't want to take any chances because we weren't yet legal guardians and had no papers for him yet. Makes sense given the history in the country.

If you can travel, have a great time!

[mamaskoby]

I absolutely would take a car seat with me for each child. And hopefully most of the cars you travel in will have seatbelts. Remember it is for your child's safety, not for your convenience. I travel every year to South America and always have taken car seats and use them for my son! Yes, sometimes I get strange looks and sometimes I cannot use them, but for the most part they work out fine. After all I went through trying to get my son I am not about to lose him that easy! All you need is one bad driver to rear end you and your child could become a human cannonball! I think you are crazy not to!
Best of luck!
Anna