Ignorance is not bliss in Antigua; it is dangerous.
Antigua, Guatemala has a reputation for being “pretty safe.” But expats who live here and in reality know that “stuff goes down” in Antigua. Things can get real—real fast. People are mugged, more frequently pickpocketed, and in much rarer instances, worse.
During three years working as an assistant warden for the US embassy, and also four years responsible for roughly 5,000 international volunteers, I’ve been privy to some of Antigua’s dark side. In the majority of these cases, the victims of the crime were in breach of the best practices that would have kept them safe. Ignorance is not bliss in Antigua; it is dangerous.
Understanding the sorts of crime that happens in Antigua, where and how they happen, and taking measures against them, should keep you safe enough to keep your mother from losing sleep.
This advice comes from my personal experience, various meetings with the security personnel from the US embassy between 2008-2012 and a recent conversation with officer Chali Raxjal from Antigua’s tourist police force (whose name is published with his permission).
Stay Safe in Antigua by Being Aware
The most common type of petty crime in Antigua is opportunistic pickpocketing. Most reports of this are coming from the market and the Central Park. A pickpocket loves nothing more than a tourist with a raised camera. While the tourist takes the pic, the thief focuses on emptying his pockets or slashing his backpack.
Many pickpockets use a razor to slice open backpacks to make it rain your valuables. In the picture below officer Chali demonstrates how thieves were able to pierce five layers of leather to get at a Dutch tourist’s stash of cash—all without the backpack’s owner noticing.
Officer Chali recommends keeping money in front shirt pockets. When in crowded places like the market, he recommends rolling with your backpack in the front. He also says to be careful with kids, some of which, while albeit adorable, have been dispatched by their parents to clean your pockets.
That 1-800 number on the back of your credit card that you are supposed to call if it is lost or stolen? Write it down somewhere other than your credit card. Email it to yourself. Email yourself a copy of your passport so that you have a copy in the cloud should yours go missing. Carry a printed copy of your passport with you when you go out.
Keep Your Vehicle Safe in Antigua by Parking it in a Parqueo
Though they did not have statistics on hand while I was at the office, the tourist police say that vehicle theft in Antigua is fairly common. If you do not have insurance against theft, best to park in a public or private parking garage. Even then, insurance is totally worth it, as I learned in 2011 when my motorcycle disappeared from inside my gated community.
According to the tourist police, the best place for your car to go missing are those parked near Central Park.
Personal Tragedy Aside: In 2008 my roommate’s GeoTracker Barbie Jeep was stolen. My favorite pair of pants was inside. The pants used to be called Luke’s Awesome Pants, now, I think of them as the Pair that Got Away.
Stay Safe In Antigua In Antigua By Not Walking At Night
“Too many tourists,” officer Raxjal says, “have made the grave error of walking around at night in a country they don’t know.”
According to the tourist police’s statistics of reported crime, most of the muggings in Antigua, Guatemala happen between the hours of 10pm-3am to people walking on the streets. If, as we all eventually do, you find yourself on the streets, walk quickly and be aware of who is coming around you. According to Martial Arts Expert and Antigua Expatriate Ron Fortin, follow your ABCDE’s.
A: Awareness: Who is around you and how are they acting?
B: Buddy System (see wolves below)
C: Communication: Let friends or roommates know of your whereabouts and plans so that you have someone who knows to be concerned if you have not turned up when you should have.
D: Distance. At night, if you are on lonely streets and someone crosses over to your side, cross to the other side. If they follow you, stay calm, but hightail it out of there.
E: Exit. Where and how will you get yourself out of a situation should one arise?
Stay Safe in Antigua by Living in a Castle
When deciding on a place to rent, your first concern should be safety. What is the neighborhood like? Are their any weak spots in the house where someone with a will could find a way to enter? Most houses, with the barred windows and concrete walls, are designed to keep out everyone who doesn’t have a key. Live in such a place.
The neighborhood that has one of the highest incidences of break-ins is La Colonia Manchen. This makes sense, right over the hill is one of San Felipe’s poorest neighborhoods (most apprehended thieves in Antigua are not from Antigua but one of the surrounding villages).
Stay safe in Antigua with the Buddy System.
Because what’s better than having a buddy? Antigua is a great place for lone wolves to find a pack. Roll with your wolfpack. Who’s going to mug a wolf pack?
Stay Safe in Antigua by Not Going To After Parties
I know, I know, I know—you’ve struck out with every lady you’ve spoken too at the bars in Antigua, and your last hope for some of that tender-lovin-care is to go to an after party.
…I say you don’t.
In the first place, these tend to be filled with a bunch of dateless guys like yourself ogling over the one girl in the room who seems like she might be single (you suspect she’s single because she is the only one not aggressively sucking someone’s face).
Second in most importantly, the after parties attract criminal elements like Justin Bieber attracts controversy.
Tip: When the bartender chases you to the exit, go home to a romantic night alone, or find a house party.
Stay safe in Antigua by Taking Cabs at Night
That means you especially ladies (as shitty as it is) you have a risk that most men usually don’t run. For the price of two gin and tonics, you can live to drink another day. Take a cab at night.
Alfredo has been a reliable cab driver of mine for years. He’s worked with NGOs and is as solid as he is dependable. With his permission, I am publishing his number: 5545-7180
Stay safe in Antigua by Knowing What To Do In The Event of An Earthquake
If you are mugged, keep things moving
Just as leaving your house at night with valuables is inadvisable, so is leaving your house with nothing of value. If a mugging happens, plan on how you will react ahead of time.
The mugger wants to keep things moving and be on his way with some prize for his efforts. Have a few 100Q that you can quickly hand over while you make your exit. I carry a broken blackberry decoy phone (hopefully not many muggers read this blog) so that if a weapon is pulled on me I can give that up and get out.
A security person from the US Embassy told me a few years back that most muggings that end poorly (and by poorly he meant injury or death) happen because people do not comply or they give the impression of non-compliance. Panic, could be the impression of non-compliance.
As unpleasant a thought as it is, visualize how you will react in the event you are a victim. If you visualize it ahead of time, you are much more likely to act that way should such a thing occur.
Stay Safe In Antigua by Knowing The Right Emergency Numbers
If you need an ambulance in Antigua, call (502) 7832-0234
If your house has been broken into, or someone has robbed or harmed you, call the tourist police, 1500.
If you need to contact your embassy in Guatemala, look up the contact information here.
If you have a matter of local concern, you can contact the Sacatepéquez jurisdiction by calling 4018-3591.
If you are involved in a car accident, contact the transit police by calling 7720-7799.
