Is Antigua Guatemala cheap or expensive?
What would be the initial inquiry of a digital nomad when considering a new place to visit?
“What’s it going to cost me for the month?”
It is a reasonable query that many must take into account prior to deciding to become globetrotting digital workers in a particular spot, wherever it might be.
Are you here to find out exactly how much it costs to live in Antigua Guatemala?
This guide to the cost of living in Antigua Guatemala provides a full picture of monthly expenditures, including housing costs, dining options, leisure activities, and more. If you’ve ever contemplated a getaway to Antigua Guatemala, look on for an estimate of what it could cost you for a month-long stay.
Why Should Digital Nomads Go To Antigua, Guatemala?
Before we look into the expenses, it is important to explore why digital nomads are drawn to Antigua Guatemala. In recent years, it has become widely favored by digital nomads who want an excellent balance between work and personal life and enjoy an inexpensive cost of living.
What makes people become Antigua digital nomads? It could be because of the…
- Beautiful nature & landscape: Antigua is surrounded by volcanoes and it is one of the most unique views you’ll ever see.
- Cobblestone streets & colonial architecture: The entire city of Antigua is a UNESCO Heritage Site that transports you back in time. The colonial architecture will have you taking photos around every corner!
- Growing digital nomadcommunity: It was so easy because people are very welcome there and there’s places just for digital nomads to connect like coworking spaces popping up everywhere.
- Affordable cost of living: It’s not the cheapest place to be a digital nomad. You also won’t get the value for money as you do in Bali or Thailand. That just seems to be the reality of being a Latin America digital nomad.
There are many factors which attract people to the city, such as a plethora of activities, pleasant climate and so on. As the city further expands in coworking and coliving spaces as well as increasing its wifi access, we anticipate that its popularity will continue to rise. It is definitely worth taking a trip to Guatemala as it is a truly gorgeous place.
Advice for Organizing a Trip to Guatemala and Helpful Advice While You’re There
Climate
Much of the nation experiences a generally warm climate all year long, which is largely determined by the altitude of different locations. However, there are areas which have unique weather due to volcano activity (look into Volcanoes for more information). The wet season spans from approximately May to October, with a peak amount of rain occurring in September and October.
Crime and personal safety
Personal safety is a serious issue in Guatemala. Out of the 1.8 million travelers coming annually, most do not encounter any difficulties; however, crime is rampant and it has been known for criminals to single out holidaymakers, including shuttle buses for tourists. The degree of danger present in these assaults seems to be scattered, yet some locales can be deemed much more secure compared to the rest. Notices have been distributed in the Guide where accidents have occurred. It is prudent to notify the embassy of your presence when you get there, stay up to date about what is going on, and avoid journeying during the night. You should always have your passport (or a copy) on your person officially.
Decreasing the likelihood of becoming a victim is critical. The most probable concern you will have is small-scale burglary and pilfering.
Electricity
The voltage and plug type used in North America are the same as those used in other areas, with 110-120 volts and two flat prongs. Any item from the United Kingdom or the European continent will require a converter and a plug adaptor. Reductions in supply and variations in the power flow are quite common.
Entry requirements
Travelers from a majority of Western countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and most European Union states) are only required to have a valid passport when entering Guatemala, with an allowed stay of up to three months. Individuals with passports from nations outside of Guatemala, including certain Eastern European countries, are allowed to acquire a visa from Guatemala, yet they must acquire them from a Guatemalan embassy or consulate. People living in many developing countries in Asia and Africa, like other areas, should submit a visa application ahead of time. If you are pondering whether a visa is necessary, contact an embassy to get the updated entrance regulations; Guatemala has representatives in all of the capitals of the area.
No cost is required for people to come into or leave the nation, but at overland entry points, border personnel usually demand a minor payment (usually US$2.50), with the money going right into their own pockets. You might be able to dodge paying the fee by requesting a receipt, but you should be aware that it could cause a delay when crossing the border.
You could stay an additional three months, with the total length of your visit not exceeding six months. Visit the Guatemala City immigration office (migración) at 6 Av 3–11, Zona 4 (t 2411 2411). It’s open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm. In order to recognize the extension, it is necessary to show your passport, a duplicate of all the pages in the passport (the workplace has a photocopying machine), a replicating of a legitimate credit card (I.e,. both sides), and give the extension charge (calculated at $15); the extension is usually granted the following day. At the conclusion of six months, you must exit Guatemala for a period of three days.
In 2006, a Central American visa system, known as the CA-4, was created to allow visa-less travelling between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. When you arrived in the area, you were given a three-month visa. At the time of the study, it seemed that CA-4 was no longer functioning. If your Guatemala visa is soon expiring, you can prolong its validity by making a trip to either Mexico or Belize, both located outside of the CA-4, or by getting the visa extended through authorities in Guatemala City.
Insurance
It is imperative for those traveling to Guatemala to have a comprehensive insurance coverage plan. You should have a medical insurance policy that will provide you with coverage of at least US$2,000,000. The policy should include arrangements for transportation and medical care in the event of an emergency and it should also include protection against financial losses due to illness or injury as well as theft.
Reach out to an expert travel insurance agency, or reflect on the travel insurance option we have available. A regular travel insurance plan normally offers coverage for any items that are lost, such as bags, tickets, and a certain amount of cash or checks, and it also covers the cancellation or shortening of the journey.
Internet
Web services are very well established in Guatemala. Most of the areas that are popular with tourists offer Wi-Fi, with the vast majority of hotels, hostels and coffee shops equipped with networks. Cybercafés are known to exist everywhere, even in rural areas. In the major cities, connection speeds are usually quite fast, but in more isolated locations, data transfer can be painfully slow. Rates vary, starting at US$0.80 per hour.
To stay connected in Guatemala, purchase a Skyroam Solis for unlimited WiFi access during your travels. This device functions in more than 130 countries, and you can make payments on a day-by-day basis, with the same price for each day. You can connect up to five devices at once. Prices start from as little as €5 a day.
Laundry
In almost every town, there is usually a laundry that offers washing and drying for about three to four American dollars per load. Self-service laundries are rare. Many hotels and pensiones provide guests with a washer and dryer, while the cheaper options generally have a sink where travelers can clean their own clothes.
Mail delivery is generally trustworthy, yet lots of residents choose to utilize couriers to post crucial containers and papers abroad. Using the main post office located in a capital city is the most efficient way to guarantee speedy delivery. It can generally take about seven days for a letter sent by airmail to the US to arrive, and from ten days up to two weeks for a letter sent to Europe. In most cases, there is no need to fret about getting post as long as you have a dependable house address – numerous language lessons and travel companies will keep your letters for you. The Poste Restante (Lista de Correos) service has ceased operations.
Money
The quetzal (Q), which is the official currency of Guatemala, has been fairly constant for over a decade. Since variations can occur, we have given all prices in American dollars. At this time, one US dollar was equal to 7.80 Guatemalan Quetzals, 12.3 British pounds and 10.41 euros. Even though the US dollar is widely acknowledged in Guatemala, it isn’t officially accepted, so travelers cannot solely rely on greenbacks and not carry any quetzals. Exchanging Euros and other international currencies can be quite complicated; try searching for foreign-owned hotels and stores to help you out with this.
Although debit and credit cards are convenient for withdrawing money from ATMs, they are not usually accepted in other places apart from posh hotels and restaurants. It is still advisable to let your bank know before going overseas that you will be using the card for payments. Watch out for hefty fees (sometimes a 10% charge is tacked on) if you opt to use a credit card at many shops.
Cost of Living in Antigua Guatemala – Detailed Breakdown
- How much does an apartment cost in Antigua?
- Can I afford to eat out every day for every meal?
- Is it cheap or expensive to live in Antigua for a month?
No matter what, budget can have a major impact on your destination as a digital nomad. The ultimate outcome hinges on the type of lifestyle desired.
Accommodation Costs – $533 USD
It may cost you from $800 USD up to $1200 USDfor accommodation in the downtown area of Antigua. A large portion of your resources will be devoted to paying rent. It is difficult to locate a contemporary flat with the most recent features in Antigua. Roughly $1,000 USD will be disbursed and it’s possible the outcome may be below expectations. You can abandon any hopes of having a villa with a swimming pool like that in Bali!
Grocery Costs – $272
The top spot for doing grocery shopping is either La Bodegona or Supermercado La Torre Jocotenango. It is in a village roughly 10 minutes away in an Uber ride from the city.
Dining Out Costs – $583
Ahhh…the most embarrassing number on here!
The price of a meal at a middle-of-the-road eatery in Antigua is usually between 70Q and 100Q, which is a bit more than what we would usually pay. You can find inexpensive meals for as little as 35Q ($4.50 USD) which is quite a deal; however, it’s not the same as finding $1 pad thai or tacos al pastor. It took us a while to adapt and correctly figure out the exchange rate in our heads.
Transport Costs – $67
To begin, I must emphasize that Antigua Guatemala is highly conducive to walking around.
Living within 10-15 minutes of the city center, and not having any objections to traveling the old-fashioned way, then you won’t need to use any type of transportation. It is advisable to think about this before making reservations and consider if you like to go for a stroll.
If you want to go to a more distant location, Uber is the simplest and most comfortable way to get there.
SIM Card & Pre-Paid Data Plan Costs – $26
It’s not too challenging or costly to acquire a SIM card in Guatemala.
There are 2 companies: Claro and Tigo.
If you stay for a period of four weeks like we did, the packages are very reasonable. You can get 8GB of data and unlimited utilization of social media for just 99Q (equivalent to 13 US Dollars). When you obtain the SIM card, the initial fee you have to pay for it is about 50Q (equivalent to $6.50 USD). Altogether, the expense of your outing to acquire a SIM card will be only slightly below $20 USD and you’ll be equipped for the whole month.
Activities & Entertainment Costs – $65
There are countless things to do in Antigua, Guatemala!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Hike Acatenango Volcano
- Roast marshmallows on Pacaya Volcano
- Go on a coffee farm tour
- Visit all of the church ruins
- Buy second-hand clothes at paca (flea market)
- See the views of the city at Cerro de la Cruz
- Take a weekend getaway to Lake Atitlan
Many of the activities, such as Cerro de la Cruz, are at no cost! If you want to take a tour of one of the volcanic regions or visit a coffee plantation, you will need to book with a tour company and pay the necessary fees.
Coworking Costs – $220
Coworking spaces allow us to be productive and make connections with people who share similar interests. Whenever we can, we are keen to join coworking spaces! The coworking areas in Antigua Guatemala turned out to be better than expected.
Was The Cost Of Living In Antigua Guatemala Cheap Or Expensive?
The expenses we encountered while living in Antigua Guatemala were higher than anticipated.
Living the digital nomad lifestyle in Antigua Guatemala is more expensive than in other places. We think that spending a few months taking in the culture of this country and exploring it would be a delightful experience. It is likely that digital nomads will become more and more popular in the future.
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