How safe is Guatemala's San Andres Peten area?

Question

This summer I am going to volunteer in San Andres and I was just wondering how unsafe the area is. I've heard that there are some very dangerous parts of Guatemala and I was just curious as to how this part is.

Answer 1

My impression is that prettymuch everywhere in Guatemala has highish crime by US standards.  It's worst in the big cities and less in the rural Maya Indian areas.  It may be a bit higher in the Peten, as it is a frontierish area.  One hotel I stayed at there, the previous gringo owner had been murdered by corrupt officials.  And in Flores, I personally saw someone try to kill a guy with a machete (fortunately the latter had quick reflexes and was a good runner).  

Nonetheless, I was in Guatemala for a month and wasn't so much as pickpocketed.  

I'm afraid I can't give any statistics myself, but this is definitely worth finding out about.  I wouldn't let it scare you from doing it, but definitely exercise some caution.