Antigua Guatemala Warnings Or Dangers Tips by easterntrekker

Leave your jewellery home

Although we had no problem at all , we were warned by our hotel to leave expensive jewellery and watches locked away. It is a poor country and it makes sense to take steps to prevent theft!

If the building shakes

We awoke in the middle of the night to the rattle of the windows and door. Actually the whole building shook....and that's saying something as its made of thick stone walls. It was an earthquake...no big deal to the locals. It gave us reason to pause however....since we had just spent the whole day veiwing ruins!!

Watch your step

The roads and lanes are all cobblestone . There the real thing too, very rough...not set up for tourists. Often there are stones missing or raised . You have look down or you could end up in a heap!

Money wows

Be prepared for long lines at empty ATM's and long lones at banks. We waited an hour and a half at an ATM , only to find it was out of cash! We later learned all the ATM's were out of cash for the whole weekend. Also they wouldn't accept our visa or bank card at some banks . We found the Bank Industrial that would give us a cash advance on Visa . We should have had some extra US dollars or travellers checks!