Guatemala vs Nicaragua: safety comparison
Guatemala vs Nicaragua: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.
| 🇬🇹Guatemala | 🇳🇮Nicaragua | |
|---|---|---|
| Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) | 57 / 100 | 57 / 100 |
| Risk tier | High Risk | High Risk |
| UK FCDO advisory | avoid all but essential travel to parts of country | No active advisory |
| US State Department advisory | Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) | Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) |
| Global Peace Index rank | #108 | #111 |
| Drug law | Severe (long sentences) | Severe (long sentences) |
| Women's safety rating | Exercise Caution | Exercise Caution |
| LGBTQ+ legal status | legal | legal |
| Tap water | n/a | n/a |
| Currency | GTQ | NIO |
Guatemala vs Nicaragua: common questions
Is Guatemala or Nicaragua safer to visit?
Guatemala has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 57/100 vs 57/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.
Is Guatemala or Nicaragua safer for solo female travellers?
Guatemala is rated Exercise Caution for women's safety; Nicaragua is rated Exercise Caution. Read the full guides for city-level detail.
What do FCDO and US State Department say about Guatemala and Nicaragua?
Guatemala: avoid all but essential travel to parts of country (FCDO), Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) (US State). Nicaragua: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) (US State).
More comparisons
Guatemala vs Mexico · Costa Rica vs Nicaragua · Nicaragua vs Panama · Guatemala vs El Salvador · Belize vs Guatemala · Guatemala vs Honduras · Honduras vs Nicaragua · Nicaragua vs El Salvador
Planning the trip? Check Guatemala visa requirements and Nicaragua visa requirements.