Solo Girl Travels in Guatemala?

I was there this summer and met a young woman from Holland. She was on her own, young, blond, pale and fairly attractive and was studying in San Pedro La Laguna for four weeks and then going to work with disabled children in a town outside of Antigua. She was probably 18-20 years old and doing just fine.

I would recommend doing a homestay and relying on your family to tell you when it is safe for you to be walking around on your own.

Latin American man are known for being macho and somewhat aggressive, our group experienced some of this at a concert we went to in Antigua. But if you are smart and careful, you shouldn't have a problem. For the most part all the locals I met were very respectful and helpful.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I think it's a GREAT idea! I've studied in immersion programs in Honduras or Guatemala each of the last 5 summers; below is a link to my photos with travelogue/blog links on the main page of each collection. There are school recommendations there; let me know if you have questions I can help with or if you're interested in getting university credit for your immersion school work.

http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

www.travel.state.gov Guatemala

overall safe in tourist areas if careful

on another board recent robbery of tourist shuttle

going to Tikal so stick with big deluxe bus if possible

travel in AM money belt buddy system no bling top hostels etc.

www.blackcathostels.net

www.lacasadelmundo.com my fav Atitlan good schools

in that area...

Be careful have fun,

Thank you so much for all of your input! Hearing from people who've actually been there alone or met people is heartening. I think my family harbors many old assumptions about Central America. Guidebooks are also telling me it's one of the best places for women to go alone. Hopefulist, I loved your photos!