Trips into the rural areas should be planned carefully and you should not go without people familiar with the region. You may rent and drive, but police are big on booting illegally parked cars, so park lawfully only. The police do not go around bothering people minding their own business. They are not unreasonable.

Guatemala has not criminalized business like many countries and one can plan on being left alone by the government. The government is concerned with people laying hands on others violently, pointing guns at people and robbing them, and kidnapping children for the black market mostly from the locals. Guatemalan children are often adopted by foreigners. Guatemala has recently loosened its money laundering laws, instead of tightening them.

If you are looking for a relatively safe place to be left alone as long as you don’t bother others, Guatemala is a good place to check out.