Central America

Guatemala: Tensions Near Lake Izabal

Date: March 20th, 2008 |

Four Belgian tourists and two locals were abducted and held hostage for two days by Mayan farmers on Lake Izabal in a dispute over land use. The Mayans have been pressing the government to recognize their traditional farming rights to land in the area but Guatemalan law prohibits land use permits in nature reserves. The [read more]

Nicaragua: Crime Up in Managua

Date: December 19th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Managua reported receiving numerous reports that robberies and assaults are increasing, and that incidents of luggage pilfering at Managua’s international airport have occurred. Embassy officials advised personnel to be more aware of their surroundings during the holiday season, when crime tends to increase, and to be especially cautious when driving because [read more]

Caribbean: Hurricane Dean Misses Major Tourist Sites

Date: August 22nd, 2007 |

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Category 5 Hurricane Dean churned through the Caribbean and Mexico Aug. 19-22 causing extensive property damage but generally sparing tourism facilities. Jamaica took a glancing blow, with the north coast resorts suffering little damage and airports fully functioning again. The Cayman Islands largely escaped with just wind damage. In Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Dean hit land [read more]

Panama: Dengue Fever Epidemic

Date: May 2nd, 2007 |

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Dengue fever continues to be a problem in Panama, with almost 1,000 cases reported this year, about the same rate as 2006. The rainy season is about to begin, however, and mosquito breeding increases at that time. The regions most affected are Panama City and San Miguelito. The best way to prevent dengue fever, which [read more]

Costa Rica: New Tourist Police Force

Date: February 21st, 2007 |

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A new tourist police force completed training Dec. 20 and is now deployed to assist with directions and information and to increase security in cities and towns frequented by tourists. By mid year another 120 officers will complete their training, doubling the number of officers now at work. By then all will have participated in [read more]

Costa Rica: Crime Down Thoughout Country

Date: January 2nd, 2008 |

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A year after a new tourist police force took to the streets, crime has come down in areas of the country frequented by foreigners. Reported crimes against tourists in 2007 compared to 2006 were down 36 percent in San Jose province, almost 34 percent in Guanacaste, and 33 percent in Limon. Other areas that saw [read more]

Mexico and Central America: Hurricane Felix and Henriette Hit on Same Day

Date: September 5th, 2007 |

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Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes made landfall on the same day for the first time since such data has been recorded. Current statistics date to 1949 and also show that this hurricane season has seen another first, two category 5 hurricanes (the strongest) occurring in the same season, with this week’s Hurricane Felix coming two weeks [read more]

Guatemala: Child-Stealing Rumors Cause Violence

Date: July 25th, 2007 |

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Rumors of child stealing in rural areas periodically come to a boil, and when tensions are high even the most innocent interaction with local children can place a visitor in danger. On July 1 two foreigners (including one American) and a Guatemalan kayaking on a river near Chicaman, Quiche were seized by a mob because [read more]

Costa Rica: New Safety Card to Aid Tourists

Date: April 4th, 2007 |

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The Costa Rican Tourism Institute has produced a safety card for tourists that lists a 24-hour hotline to report problems or get tips about travel around the country. The hotline number is 800-TOURISM or 800-TURISMO. The back of the card has a list of emergency phone numbers, including those of many foreign embassies. The card [read more]

Caribbean: Cricket World Cup

Date: February 14th, 2007 |

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The Cricket World Cup will be played March 5-April 28 on various Caribbean islands. Large numbers of fans from participating countries are likely to attend, putting a strain on basic services from hotel accommodations to transportation to medical assistance. Matches are scheduled in Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, [read more]