Visiting Antigua, Guatemala, is a dream for any traveller – colourful streets, colonial charm, and vibrant culture everywhere you look. But sometimes, travel mishaps happen, and yes… I got pickpocketed in Antigua, Guatemala. As a first-time pickpocket victim, I learned the hard way about travel safety in Guatemala, especially during crowded celebrations. Whether you’re exploring Antigua Guatemala experiences with kids like Mia and Caius or wandering solo, knowing how to stay safe can make all the difference.
Where to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala – Family-Friendly Options
If you’re planning a visit to Antigua, Guatemala, there are plenty of charming options for families. Boutique hotels, guesthouses, and Airbnbs line the cobbled streets, often with colonial charm and courtyards to enjoy.
Family rooms typically range from $80 – 150 USD per night, depending on location and season, with some offering pools or breakfast included. We stayed just outside the heart of town, which made it easy to walk or scoot to restaurants, markets, and the beautiful central plazas – perfect when you have little ones like Mia and Caius.
Things to Do in Antigua
Antigua is bursting with things to see and do. Walk the cobblestone streets and admire the colourful colonial buildings, explore the vibrant markets, and don’t miss the stunning churches and ruins scattered around town.
For a more hands-on experience, you can take a chocolate-making workshop, climb nearby volcanoes, or even take a coffee plantation tour.
Antigua is lively during Holy Week, with processions and local celebrations – just be prepared for huge crowds if you’re visiting during this time. My Favourite Easter Abroad: Semana Santa Antigua Guatemala
Local Food Experiences and Markets in Antigua
Antigua is a feast for the senses, and exploring local food is a must for families. The markets are bursting with colourful fruits, handmade tortillas, fresh juices, and traditional Guatemalan snacks that Mia and Caius couldn’t get enough of.
Don’t miss the street stalls selling pepian, tamales, and churros – perfect for a quick bite between sightseeing.
For a sit-down meal, family-friendly restaurants often have playful menus and relaxed courtyards where kids can move around while you enjoy some Guatemalan coffee or a freshly made dessert. Sampling the local cuisine is not just tasty, it’s a way to experience Antigua Guatemala firsthand and make fun memories with the little ones.
Pickpocketed in Antigua, Guatemala – My First Experience
It was bound to happen. After 11 months of smooth sailing with no theft, no scams, no lost wallets, we thought we were invincible. Travel insurance? Untouched. But then it happened. That feeling of violation, the frustration, the sheer inconvenience – yep, we got pickpocketed in Antigua, Guatemala, the exact place everyone warned us about. Let this be your cautionary tale.
Crowds Are a Pickpocket’s Playground
It was Maundy Thursday, and Antigua was bursting at the seams. Holy Week celebrations were in full swing, and Friday was meant to be the biggest day. After a day holed up at our accommodation, we were itching to get out.
We headed into town for a bite and quickly realised that wandering into a human sea was a mistake. Around Central Park are three arched walkways. We chose one and soon found ourselves trapped in a dense throng of people. A procession had stopped everyone in their tracks. I didn’t want to watch – my gut was yelling at me. Two kids in tow, my inner mum radar was screaming “danger!”
I checked with my kids’ dad that he had his wallet and got a nod of confirmation. So we plunged in. Mia rode on his shoulders, and Caius piggybacked on me. The crowd was so thick that Caius slipped a little, and I was awkwardly holding him half to the side, half behind me. My kids’ dad had one hand holding Mia steady and the other shielding his front pocket with his wallet.
As we finally emerged from the human sweat sauna, disaster struck. One of the two iPhones in his unprotected pocket had vanished.
Where’s the Phone?
“Do you have your phone?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you have my phone?”
“No, I gave it to you.”
“I don’t have it.”
He scanned the crowd, hopeless. Who steals from a 6’9 giant with a kid on his shoulders? A coward. One who melts into the crowd without facing us.
Five Stages of Losing an iPhone
- Denial: “It must be at home, we’ll find it,” the kids dad said.
- Anger: “How dare they steal from us, with kids in tow!” I shouted.
- Bargaining: “Maybe we could go back and find it?” he suggested.
- Depression: “All my photos, my diary, my music, gone…” I moped.
- Acceptance: “It’s gone,” he said. “It’s gone… now what?” I asked.
Three Things I Realised
- Someone had been in his pocket. His front pocket. Seriously?
- My iPhone, recently fixed for $100 in Guatemala City, was gone. A few photos were lost, but my watch, diary, and music player all vanished.
- The wallet was safe, and my kids’ dad still had his phone. Small mercies. May whoever took it be feeding their family tonight.
Finding the Tourist Police
Travel insurance required a police report, so we needed the Tourist Police. After calling a 24-hour bilingual line with no answer, my kids’ dad hopped on a scooter and hunted them down. An hour later, he found two cops in a parking lot. After a few calls and some English-speaking assistance, he secured the report and returned close to midnight.
Pro tip: The Tourist Police office is on the far west side of Antigua, near the bus station and markets – look for a “Z” on maps.
Travel Insurance Claims
While he was out, I called our travel insurance to verify coverage. Proof of purchase and the police report were needed. I contacted my Australian phone provider for proof and completed the claim. If you’ve switched plans in the past few years, digging up old receipts is a mission.
For the best travel insurance for families, I would check out SafetyWing.
Locating Services
I tried “Find My iPhone” and Prey. Prey is excellent – GPS tracking, front-camera snapshots, Wi-Fi ping. Unfortunately, no SIM and no Wi-Fi meant no luck. I suspect a hard reset was done immediately.
Lessons Learned from Being Pickpocketed in Antigua
I’ve come to accept my iPhone is gone. I’m working on forgiveness – hopefully the last dark moment of travel misfortune. And yes, I’m already plotting the next trip to the States to replace it.
Other Tips for Staying Safe in Antigua
- Keep wallets in front pockets or secure bags.
- Be extra cautious in large crowds, especially during Holy Week or festivals.
- Use GPS tracking apps on your electronics and activate remote locking.
- Always note the location of the local Tourist Police.
Explore With Erin: Lesson Learned
Getting pickpocketed in Antigua, Guatemala, was a shock, but it taught me valuable lessons about travel safety in Guatemala. Even with travel mishaps in Guatemala, the city’s charm, markets, and family-friendly experiences make it worth the visit. By staying alert, securing your belongings, and knowing the local resources, you can enjoy all the amazing Antigua Guatemala experiences without letting a first-time pickpocketing moment ruin your adventure. Mia, Caius, and I are already planning our next trip – phones in hand and lessons learned.
