Digital Nomad Life in Guatemala

"There are group of people biking, playing pokers, theatre. Saturday mid day at the center of town big bbq where lots of expats goes. Lots of NGO offering volunteering plans," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Panajachel.

"The best thing a new-comer should do is take a 10-15 ride to Antigua there you can meet all the expats you want," explained one person living in Cuidad Vieja, Guatemala.

"Expats in Guatemala often join clubs and activities such as language exchange groups, book clubs, and outdoor activities like hiking and biking. Expats can also meet people by attending local events such as festivals, concerts, and art exhibitions. Additionally, many expats find it helpful to join online forums and social media groups related to their interests, as well as attending networking events and meetups," said one expat in Guatemala.

"Esquipulas is a small,friendly,laid back city. Most people will say "Hi" to you on the street. There are only 5 expats here, and we don`t have a club. But, we do help each other when asked. It's a fairly safe place, unlike the Capitol. You can walk down the street at 2AM in the morning without fearing for your life," remarked one member in Esquipulas.

"Antigua is wonderful. social opportunities as little or as much as you like. My neighborhood and areas in the area, seem to attract a lot of full-time expats as opposed to just short term visitors. We live in Panorama on the outskirts 10-15 minute walk to town. We love the connectivity with the expats from US, Canada, Europe, and other areas. Tourists in town, or just meet people at events, coffee shops or while shopping," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Guatemala.

"One of the best ways to find a place to live in Guatemala is to use online resources such as websites and classifieds. Websites such as Encuentra24.com and Craigslist Guatemala are great resources for finding rental properties. Additionally, you can also search for rental properties on Facebook groups such as Guatemala Rentals and Guatemala Real Estate. Additionally, you can also contact local real estate agents who can help you find a place to live in Guatemala," explained one person living in Guatemala.

"By accident.. renting a place and discovering the area. Arrived without knowing the area, first struck by the climate and then by the locals. I found my house by world of mouth," said one expat in Panajachel.

"Come visit, first! Then decide. Only you know what you are looking for, check out what is offered here," explained one person living in Esquipulas, Guatemala.

"If you are thinking about living in Antigua remember the prices there are ridiculously expensive in everything. Cuidad Vieja is very close to Antigua (10-15 min.) and everything here is very inexpensive. Example I have big 5 Br. house 3Br. Garage and a killer view of the volcanoes all for $187.00 per month, not even possible in Antigua. Cuidad Vieja is a very quite city and very low crime. A Great Place to retire to," said one expat in Cuidad Vieja.

"The people's willingness to SMILE. Old people who are still active and friendly. The busy cultural norm of walking. The noise of vehicles can be annoying to me as its constant... from morning until night....," explained one expat living in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

"Weather is nice. There are some nice places to visit (lakes, vulcanoes, coastal area)," said one person in Guatemala City.

"If anything the rebelliousness towards their corrupt government and their acceptance of a day to day optimism of life. I found that the poorest of people generally seemed to be the happiest," said one expat who made the move to San Pedro La Laguna.

"Expats in Guatemala often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. Many find the language barrier to be a challenge, as Spanish is the primary language spoken in Guatemala. Additionally, the local customs and traditions can be difficult to understand and navigate. Expats may also find the pace of life to be slower than what they are accustomed to, as well as the lack of modern amenities and infrastructure. Finally, the safety and security situation in Guatemala can be a concern for expats, as crime and violence are prevalent in some areas," explained one person living in Guatemala.

"The chronic noise of vehicles... grinding gears, horns and just general loudness not of the people but the blaring speakers and vehicles....non stop chaos.....! Arrgh! The other challenge in Guatemala is finding a decent WIFI signal. Not common like up in USA or Canada...at all," said one expat in Quetzaltenango.

"Security (18 murders per day, many robberies), understanding people (learning a new language), not working," remarked one member in Guatemala City.

"If you plan to stay in Guatemala for an extended period of time, you will need to obtain a residency visa. Depending on the length of your stay, you may need to apply for a temporary or permanent residency visa. You will need to provide documentation such as a valid passport, proof of financial stability, and a criminal background check. Additionally, you may need to provide proof of health insurance and a medical certificate," said one expat in Guatemala.

"I offered to help do the laundry when the woman I hired came to mi casa...not a good idea...the look on her face was...well lets just say I got the impression I was borderline close to offending her... Walking a trail without a lamp... duh... in the rain ...after dark... First and last time I get into a boat without asking if it is public or private! Spent 45 minutes trying to start a fire and giving up...later to meet someone on the trail who casually mentioned it is hard to start a fire here due to the lack of O2 in the air...and so some cooking oil and a few major breathes of my hot air and I had instant fire from that day on...lol," said one person in Lake Atitlan.

"Blunders all humans commit wherever they are. No one else notices so get over it. I think the one blunder I personally notice a lot is how LOUD many Americans talk. Be aware of this and attempt to chat quietly. Whenever I saw 2 or more Americans I heard them first! Whatever you think you have to say.... remember to say it quietly," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Quetzaltenango.

"Make sure to look for the best doctors, get a private Guatemalan insurance to take you the best hospitals.. forget about public hospital unless it is for emergency," explained one digital nomad living in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the affordability of living in Guatemala. The cost of living is much lower than in many other countries, making it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget. Additionally, the country is home to a diverse range of cultures and landscapes, from the colonial cities of Antigua and Quetzaltenango to the lush jungles of the Petén. Expats and digital nomads also enjoy the friendly and welcoming nature of the local people, who are often eager to share their culture and customs with visitors. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the infrastructure in Guatemala to be lacking, with unreliable public transportation and limited access to high-speed internet. Additionally, the country has a high crime rate, which can be a deterrent for some," explained one digital nomad living in Guatemala.

"It's a beautiful country with great people and food. There is not good affordable education for children," said one member in Guatemala.