Question 1

What is the "Public bus and TransMetro robbery" scam in Guatemala City?

Accepted Answer

Repainted US school buses ('chicken buses' / camionetas) and crowded red city buses are routinely boarded by armed robbers who rob whole busloads, a problem so severe that hundreds of drivers have been killed in extortion disputes. Pickpocketing is also rife on packed TransMetro carriages. Both US and UK governments advise tourists to avoid public buses entirely. Do not use chicken buses or local red buses in or around the capital; take Uber or a hotel taxi for in-city trips and a reputable Pullman/shuttle company for intercity travel. If you must ride TransMetro, go only in daylight and keep valuables zipped and out of sight.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Zoo Parking Attendants at La Aurora" scam in Guatemala City?

Accepted Answer

Informal car watchers around the Zoológico La Aurora in zone 13 pose as zoo staff and demand a parking fee before letting visitors leave their vehicle. In an operation on 27 April 2026, the Fiscalía de Delitos contra Turistas Extranjeros, INGUAT, the PNC and DISETUR responded to visitor complaints and identified 33 people running the scheme, with demands ranging from Q35 to as much as USD 50 per car. Several complainants also reported belongings stolen from their vehicles while they were inside the zoo, which draws roughly 7,000 visitors on a typical weekend. Authorities installed a permanent police post at the site, but the informal attendants still work the surrounding streets. Park only in the zoo's own signed lot and pay at the official booth or ticket window, never to someone who approaches your car in the street. Ask for the fee in quetzales and refuse any demand quoted in US dollars or given without a receipt - real zoo parking is a modest quetzal charge, not USD 50. Leave nothing visible inside the car, and report anyone demanding money to the police post now stationed at the zoo or to DISETUR.

Question 3

What is the "Fake police document shakedown" scam in Guatemala City?

Accepted Answer

Men in plain clothes or partial uniform approach claiming to be police running an 'anti-drug' or 'anti-counterfeit' check and demand your passport and wallet to inspect. They then extract cash, palm notes, or hold your documents until you pay a 'fine'. Both US and UK advisories explicitly warn that criminals impersonating police have robbed and extorted visitors here. Real Guatemalan police do not conduct random cash inspections of tourists on the street. Carry only a passport photocopy, never hand over your wallet, ask for official ID, and offer to resolve it at the nearest station or by calling your hotel — genuine officers will allow this; scammers will back off.

Other Tourist Scams in Guatemala City

Public bus and TransMetro robbery

Fake Zoo Parking Attendants at La Aurora

Fake police document shakedown

Experienced a scam here?