I have family that live in Guatemala. It is safe. Is there crime? Probably a lot less than in downtown Chicago!
I've said it on FR before..I have an 82 year old neighbor who travels solo to Guatemala twice a yar, and stays for 2-3 months. She loves the open air markets, fresh, cheap veggies, and fruit. She's never been mugged or mentioned crime ridden hell hole. If it was so awful, I doubt she'd keep going back.