 | Guatemala Warnings or Dangers | Tips 1 - 10 of 61 |  |
Popular Warnings or Dangers | Other Warnings or Dangers Tips | All Tips (61) Before crossing pastures look for bulls
Always ask if possible about dangerous bulls if you are hiking near cattle.
If you are in cattle country you may happen to cross paths with a brahman type bull. This means in the Peten and the lowlands- especially the plains sloping towards the Pacific. If the bull isn't paying you any heed that is a good thing. First rule is not to run or scream if you cross paths with one. Bulls can easily outrun a person. Stay still and quiet. Look for an escape route (a tree, a fence). Eventually you'll be able to move away or past it. However if it shows signs of challenging you-- remove a garment such as your shirt, slowly. Bulls instinctively charge toward movement. When he charges, throw the garment away from you and he'll charge the shirt. While he's distracted with the shirt, move away (yes, you should run). Once you put some ground between him and you, he will lose interest.
PS: The color of the garment doesn't matter. They don't have color vision. Don't forget that cows have horns also. Look for an udder to verify whether you are facing a bull or just a cow. Leave a Comment
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HUMAN BOTFLY (Beef Worm)
Bot Flies are picked up in rural areas characterized by grassland, pasture, and cattle. The normal host for a bot fly is a cow. Humans are a delicacy.
Botfly eggs are commonly transported and deposited while you are asleep by mosquitoes, spiders etc. The Larvae (or "warbles" in English) painlessly burrow through broken skin- such as a mosquito bite. The Larvae secure themselves with two "tail" hooks as well by the rough ridges encircling the body (see photo)
SYMPTOMS
The first symptom is intense itching. You'll feel something solid under the skin and soon see a bump with a tiny hole on the skin- this is the punctum through which the larva breathes and discharges waste. Its contractions cause the third symptom- episodes of VERY EXTREME PAIN lasting ten minutes several times a day. Hot compresses and massaging will not help. If you do nothing, in two months the bump will grow much bigger, the larva will emerge, drop off and begin its pupa state of development.
WHAT TO DO
Consult a doctor.
The punctum is the botfly's weak point. Without air, it will die. You can kill it by blocking the hole with epoxy or glue. Tape does not work. Some suggest Vaseline. Wait 12 hours. It can then be removed by manipulation of the muscle.
A comment has been left on my Guatemala Page describing how hydrogen peroxide can be squirted from a syringe into the breathing hole. The author says that the larva will quickly eject itself out of the tissue.
VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT TRY TO FORCE THE LARVA OUT WHILE IT IS ALIVE- NEVER DO THIS!
(Search "worm in stomach" on YouTube to see how NOT to remove this parasite)
Heat may force the larva to stick out its head- but trying to grab it with tweezers with the idea of pulling it out will fail.
The Larva must be dead for safe removal.
After removal, store it in a glass vial with some alcohol to show your friends. Leave a Comment
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The US Embassy in Guatemala does not keep their criminal log current and up to date. You are better off using OSAC- Overseas Security Advisory Council (Search "OSAC") or see the TIP above this one.
INFORMATION
ABOUT
TRANSPORTATION
Assaults on buses and motor vehicles is a persistent problem on Guatemala's roads. Assailants range from groups of up to six individuals, often armed. There is solid evidence that some of these gunmen are police. About 100 people (2007) were murdered last year using public transportation (mostly in Guatemala City)
Pullman buses that run across Guatemala including those with cross border destinations are secure. The government through increased patrols has broken up gangs that threatened Pullmans. Overnight buses are reasonably secure and useful if you are on a tight schedule or want to avoid a hotel bill.
Reports of robberies on the "chicken" buses (American style school buses) including murders of the drivers are still being reported but it is difficult to know how often- Many buses have stopped running. Last Easter, the govt ran buses between Guatemala City and Antigua.
The vans that carry the vast majority of tourists around the country remain the safest way to travel- but a van going to Coban (Alta Verapaz) was stopped recently and it's passengers robbed.
PRECAUTIONS
The odds of being victimized in any sort of crime (pickpockets, etc) is about one in a thousand- but it's worth preparing oneself mentally and taking normal precautions-- be alert in terminals, avoid isolated areas, don't flash cash and jewelry, be alert for confidence tricksters, don't hang around crowds drawn to a "scene", never offer resistance, etc. Also, consider carrying a fake wallet with a few bills etc.
DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT NEAR CITIES AND BORDER AREAS
DO NOT MAKE FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE WHO OFFER YOU DRUGS ETC, OR ASK WHERE YOU ARE STAYING.
BE ALERT FOR MALES WHO DO NOT SEEM TO FIT IN THE SURROUNDINGS BY THEIR MOVEMENTS, CLOTHING
I also ask questions of those who live in the area about criminal activity. If women, the elderly and children are around, it's a good sign.
For those who still wish to see the US EMBASSY LOG click below Leave a Comment
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GOOD FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.
US State Department Consular Information GUATEMALA
(If this address has changed, select Guatemala from this link:
Consular Information Nation Index
Those who would like a second opinion can check out
World Travel Watch Leave a Comment
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Widespread and Repeated Warnings about going to the overlook to enjoy the panorama of Antigua Guatemala and the majestic spectacle of Volcan Agua should not be ignored.
BUT DO GO.
But go during the day and better if you have company. You can also use the Tourist Office facing the Central Jardin Plaza to be escorted (their schedule not yours)
The old way to get to the top was along a dirt road that leaves houses behind, has short lines of sight, and is out of view. In other words, a good set up for anyone with intentions of waylaying an isolated tourist. Use discretion. Make sure you are not being followed. Now there is a shorter steeper path at the foot of the hill.
If you are still uncertain about going.... plan your vist in the morning--- Sunday morning is extra safe. Leave a Comment
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Spontaneous demonstrations over rapidly rising food and fuel prices or corrupt officials are increasing. Get off the street and indoors if you cannot leave the area quickly.
Altogether different are the organized demonstrations with shouted slogans, banners and loud speakers. (See photos added to this tip) Many are held at the Congress Building (9th Avenida) near the National Palace or downtown near the Bank of Guatemala/Municipal Complex. The mood is generally light. Defiance is generally expressed by masked spray painters who are ignored by the police. (It's easier just to repaint the walls a day later).
This photo (see web address below for write up) shows a demonstration (Feb 10 2005) opposed to CAFTA and GM crops because Guatemalan farmers cannot compete against US subsidized corn and beans- genetically modified or not.
The man on the left is labor leader and human rights activist Nery Barrios- director of UASP and the speaker to his right is a member of Congress- well known in Guatemala but I don't remember her name. Leave a Comment
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Guatemala accounts for 40% of all reported cases of malaria in Central America. Guatemala last reported 18,102 cases of malaria (July 2005). The most effected provinces are the highland provinces of Quiche and Alta Verapaz and further north in the flat Peten where the Mayan ruins of Tikal are located.
Fortunately, malaria in Guatemala is not a virulent form of the disease.
Symptoms include fever, severe headaches, and possibly vomiting.
Tourists going to Tikal in El Peten should use mosquito spray and wear light colored clothing to protect skin from bites. Mosquito nets are not widely available- but if you have one or can find one use it - why let the buzzing keep you awake.
Local sources will tell you if cases of malaria have been reported. Local drug stores (farmacias) will carry anti-malarials used in your area. You do not need a prescription. Leave a Comment
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(This INFO is on the MAIN PAGE also) Guatemala 's murder rate is 44:100,000 or 16 murders daily- a 65% increase in five years. That is ten times the US murder rate. One out of every 1600 Guatemalans will fall victim to murder each year. Crimes are associated with drugs, gangs, violence against women (1/10 of murder victims are women), land disputes, etc. and involve Guatemalans- not tourists. Foreigners who live in Guatemala are more vulnerable to serious crime than tourists. A recent crime surge is related to gangs, drugs, extortion, and kidnapping. Forty percent of all major crimes occur in the capital city area.
The most common crimes against tourists involve theft. Some people carry a second "fake wallet" in case they are confronted.
Offering resistance can easily trigger violence and injury.
In the capital, tourists visiting museums and commercial districts need take only the normal precautions of tourists anywhere- awareness of surroundings and common sense. The guidebooks say to be alert on Calle 18 in Zona 1 near the private bus stations. Personally, in daytime, I think the warning is overdone. Best advice is know where you are going (If you are lost, ask in a farmacia or a store to get directions). Hiring a taxi is another option.
In rural areas you should be careful not to disturb shrines or statues of saints. You will find store owners, vendors, and bus drivers the most approachable and helpful for information since they are accustomed to Westerners. If the area is really remote, you should approach men rather than women (who will probably have disappeared indoors anyway). Leave a Comment
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OSAC is reasonably up to date. It reports crime activity internationally by region and country. Select GUATEMALA from the drop down menu. Use OSAC in conjunction with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Tip and the Consular Warnings Tip. Leave a Comment
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Do not waste your town heading down the road to 'santa elena' it's about a five minute walk from Flores, it a very dirty town. The typical spanish town you'd see on movies (very stereotyped i know)
We were told there was a great market there, what we saw was a very bumpy market, definitely a culture shock =) Leave a Comment
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on February 18, 2005
on September 8, 2002
