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Guatemala travel alert: road to Lake Atitlan closed until year's end due to mudslides
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City is asking that travelers defer visiting Lake Atitlan until January for safety reasons, due to an increase of crime during the holiday season, and closure of the main road due to mudslides. The stunning volcanic lake in Guatemala's Highlands is a popular destination for travelers in search of a low-key, off-the-beaten-path holiday.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the road from the Department of Solola to the lakeside town of Panajachel will be closed until the end of the year, and that "alternate routes to Panajachel by road or boat involve risk."
For updates, go the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
[Photo credit: Flickr user alq666]
Filed under: Guatemala, Transportation, Budget Travel, Central America, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jen Nov 15th 2010 7:31PM
Thanks for the warning! I was planning on travelling with my 7-month-old baby to Antigua and Lake Atitlan in December!! This info is really valuable to me - and our safety!
Tra Nov 16th 2010 3:59PM
Mosquito repellant for all. I was eaten alive and upon return to New York found I had Dengue Fever. Not a pleasent or easy illness.
Panaharoldo Nov 15th 2010 8:04PM
This report is absolutely incorrect about a main road being closed due to crime.
The road between Panajachel and Solola is closed due to major road repairs caused by this past wet season. This has absolutely nothing to do with crime.
To get to Lake Atitlan and Panajachel from Guatemala City or Antigua, take the back road through Patzun, or take the Panamerican Highway exit for Las Trampas.
Security has been very heightened on both of these roads because they are back roads and to make sure everyone feels safe on these roads until the road to Solola re-opens around Christmas.
There are very large tour buses coming to Lake Atitlan over these 2 back routes every single day!
Laurel Nov 15th 2010 9:07PM
Thank you, Panaharoldo, for clarifying the reason for the closure. The original news piece failed to clarify that the main road closure is due to mudslides.
The travel advisory is still in effect, however, for the alternate routes and at the lake over the holidays. For more information, readers can go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1129.html.
Grego Nov 15th 2010 10:57PM
Let me preface this with saying I have spent more than 15 trips toGuatemala and spent a number of summers in Antigua and around Atitlan. Make no mistake about it as referenced inthe travel advisory Guatemala has a high crime rate which has only gotten worse the last few years. I haven't been back in a little over a year since friends down ther recommended staying away as murders and kidnappings are on the rise. Also FYI taking a tour bus on those remote roads just makes you a greater target as twice when I returned people on my flight commented about being robbed on the main road to Ati. Once again Guatemala is a beautiful country currently racked with higher crime and gangs largely backed by the drug trade. VERYunfortunate por Los Chapines.
Panaharoldo Nov 16th 2010 8:08AM
Grego, perhaps you've had many incidents of bad luck. But in terms of crime on the back roads to Lake Atitlan I must take exception to your comment.
For the past 3 years the national police have had a permanent bivouac spot between Patzun and Godinez, which was the main area of past concerns for robberies. In addition, there is now always at least one patrol vehicle traveling that road. Reports of robberies since that time have been practically non-existent.
And now since the closing of the road from Solola for repairs, security is significantly higher on both the Patzun and Las Trampas roads. I personally drive both of these roads weekly to Guatemala City and have been very impressed by the number of police I now see on all my trips.
So much of the economy around Lake Atitlan depends completely on tourism. The closing of the main road has been troublesome enough. But one thing these poor people do not need is embellished warnings of crime to tourists when so much is being done to ensure the safety of travelers.
Thank God the tour buses are running.
Tra Nov 16th 2010 4:05PM
I am referring to Antigua.
Dorothy Kethler Nov 16th 2010 10:08PM
I agree with Panaharold. I am very angry about the warnings about travel to Lake Atitlan. I have lived in Pana for the past 3 years. This is NOT a high crime area. In fact, I feel safer here than I felt living in a small town in NM. One must be sensible, of course. Don't wander around drunk at night. Don't flaunt jewelry or money. Hang on to your stuff. The people here are friendly and helpful. They rely on tourists for their subsistence. This smear campaign is totally unfair. As far as travel goes, the road from Guatemala City to Panajachel is open - just not the one through Solola. As pointed out above, one can travel via Las Trampas, which I did 2 weeks ago. There were patrols in evidence. I can't vouch for the road through Paztun, but have heard there are some river crossings which require high clearance vehicles. Taxis from Guatemala City (not a place to linger in due to the really horrendous crime rate) are available for about $50. There are also shuttles via Antigua available for less. I do not recommend Chicken Buses. Please feel free to visit beautiful Lake Atitlan and enjoy our paradise. You won't regret it.
Kirk Jones Nov 17th 2010 12:59AM
I've also lived in Pana the last two years, though I am in the US now attending graduate school. Roads close, traffic shifts, its the nature of the place. Atitlan is a geological feature, like yellowstone, with similar yearround gads of tourists. One entrance is closed, you have to go around. Or if you have cash, take a helicopter.
TRA, I do not believe you got Dengue in Antigua, that would be impossible, they are at 6000 ft elevation - there are little if any mosquitos - no where near the mosquitos in manhattan. Where else did you go?
Other travelers, go to lake atitlan. If you have dared to enter canada or india, for example, you can handle Guatemala. I implore you to bask in the breathtaking scenery along the lakeshore and get lost in the eyes of the Mayan women's centuries old wisdom. Give one a kiss on the cheek for me.
Casey Knox Nov 18th 2010 8:50PM
Guatemala's Lake Atitlan Remains Open and Secure http://www.prweb.com/releases/LakeAtitlan/Guatemala/prweb4809954.htm
Casey Knox Nov 18th 2010 8:46PM
Guatemala's Lake Atitlan Remains Open and Secure http://www.prweb.com/releases/LakeAtitlan/Guatemala/prweb4809954.htm
Dennis Nov 20th 2010 9:12AM
The roads to Lake Atitlan are open. The shuttle drivers know the way and if you go in the day it is safe. I don't know why the American government needs to scare people so much. Guatemala is an adventure, not a hazard :) Here's a blog post describing what is happening there now.
http://mayantrip.com/
Kelly Nov 20th 2010 9:16AM
Lake Atitlan is open http://lakeatitlanhealth.com
Laurel Nov 20th 2010 12:02PM
Hi Readers,
Thanks for all of your comments. I just wanted to provide an update, because I'm getting some posts that the road is open. I just checked, and the MAIN road from Solola to Panajachel is closed until January as reported, for repairs.
There are alternate routes to the lake, which are the ones used by the tour buses. These are the same roads that have the travel advisories (whether or not these are exaggerated, I can't say). We've got some great comments from readers who know the area well, so have a look. Whatever you decide to do, safe travels, and have a great holiday.
Best,
Laurel