Crime seems to be the initial negative comment about the general area. Crime in MOST areas of these countries is crime of opportunity. If you leave your smartphone on the seat of your car while you go inside a restaurant, the opportunity presents itself. Wearing flashy gold jewelry in an area where the majority of people are poor is also not a good way to start. Those who give crime a chance to happen will find it.
Exceptions abound. Not having been there, I will go out on a limb and comment that Guatemala has more than their share of ongoing crime. The government has made efforts to curtail criminal activities here, but it has been an uphill battle. The ratio of poor to "rich" people here after the long civil war that ended just prior to the beginning of the current millennium has begotten a societal group that will do almost anything to raise their life status. This is not necessarily true everywhere in the country, but if you consider visiting, use caution. If you happened to read the Internet article today ( http://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-antigua-irresistible-retirement-spot-191814352.html ) Also read this (http://wikitravel.org/en/Antigua_Guatemala#Stay_safe and make your own decision.
Other countries in the geographic area, like most areas in the USA, have their share of crime. There are drugs, and drug related violence in not only Central America, but throughout the world. If this is your thing, you may very well find out that violence is, in fact, prevalent. I cannot emphasize enough that being street smart and cautious is key to safety wherever you are. I remember my son being in Paris quite some time ago, and telling me a story about how a small group of students he was traveling with narrowly evaded an evening mugging. It's everywhere, use your head.
Poverty is also a common complaint/comment about Central America. Yes, there is poverty, yes there are needy people, and yes many people live in what we might consider terrible conditions. Some of these folks choose to live in the manner of their forefathers, some are eking out an existence and trying to move up the social-economic ladder, and others are lazy or uneducated or challenged. Isn't this just like the USA in many ways? You may not like to see the poverty, or the associated people, but it is a good reminder of the fact that these people do exist, and that there is an opportunity for others to help them.
I have watched women sweeping their houses out, and wondered why they would sweep a dirt floor. I have seen people with two large electrical cables in hand climbing a pole to reattach disconnected lines. I have seen the blind propped up in a doorway with a tin cup, hoping for a few coins. Yes, it bothered me, but I am a better man for remembering that not everyone lives in a cookie cutter neighborhood with a white picket fence, and I might be able to make a small difference somehow.
Another waning concern about this part of the world is health care. Many people are concerned that, if stricken with an illness while in Central America, they will surely either perish or find it necessary to immediately return to the States for treatment. In general health care, especially around urban areas in Central America, is closely comparable to that you would receive "back home". The doctors are usually educated and trained in the United States, and have quite modern equipment. The biggest difference, as a visitor, is the cost is typically 1/2 of the retail "from home". When traveling cheap insurance is available which will cover not only your care in these countries for the length of your stay, but usually also include air ambulance should you require return to the USA for treatment. This is well worth the investment and peace of mind.
Drinking water can be an issue no matter where you travel. Not all drinking water is filtered, treated, or safe in C.A. I find it necessary to outfit myself with bottled water whenever I leave home. Best case scenario, if you jump right in and drink unfiltered water you will meet the revenge of Montezuma fairly quickly. Speaking of such, vegetables such as lettuce, carrots, and others should be eaten either cooked or very sparingly. They are not necessarily contaminated except by bacteria that your system is not used to. Raw anything is always a concern anywhere, especially in a third world country.
A good general rule when traveling to a warm country, or anywhere for that matter, is not to overly indulge in anything at first. Whether it be the sun, adult beverages, local food, or late night hours, transition into any of these with care and caution.
Travel Safe, Travel Often.
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