Guatemala City - Post Report Question and Answers
What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Close to the US, close to lots of travel opportunities, ability to quickly reach other Central American countries and Mexico. - Mar 2023
People who enjoy moderate weather year-round love that aspect. - Oct 2022
It's convenient to get back to DC and there aren't time zone issues for remote work and communicating with family. There are beautiful outdoor opportunities (if you leave the city on weekends) and access to incredible Mayan ruins. Life in general is easy, if you don't mind traffic. - Oct 2022
How inexpensive it is compared to the U.S. - Jul 2021
The low cost of living, affordable household help, beautiful weather, great housing, and easy travel opportunities. - Jan 2020
As the largest city in Central America, it's got something for everyone. Whatever you're into, you're likely to find it here, and it'll probably be inexpensive. It's nice to so close to the US, and sharing the same time zone (or close to it, anyways) makes communication with family and friends there easy. - Mar 2019
Less expensive "service industries" - domestics (maid, gardener, driver), some cosmetic medical, vision appointments, salon/barber, massage, shoe repair. Fresh flowers stands abound Not less expensive - actual eyeglasses (go online), picture framing (ouch, but haven't done it in the US), seamstress/tailor of quality (only found regular, non high-skilled, i.e. hemming, etc). - Feb 2019
The travel opportunities are fantastic! Mayan ruins, Lake Atitlan, dozens of volcano hikes, decent beaches (especially in El Salvador), eco lodges - all are accessible in a weekend. The weather is also a highlight; in the land of perpetual springtime it's always between 60 and 80F. Guatemala City isn't much of a travel destination but it offers good dining and access to most products from home. The Guatemalan people are very warm and welcoming and many fellow expats have commented that it's easier to get close to locals here than in many other parts of the world. - Jun 2015
Lots of great traveling within the country! You can drive to Lake Atitlan (3 hours), Antigua (45 minutes), Retalhuleu (4 hours), Monterrico (3.5 hours), Rio Dulce, Semuc Champey, Copan, Tikal, etc. There are lots of Mayan ruins to see and great handicraft shopping, if you are into textiles, wood carvings, jade, or pottery. The weather is always between 60-80F degrees. - Apr 2014
Despite being a small country, Guatemala packs an amazing array of beautiful places and tourist atractions, and has a fascinating cultural heritage. The people are welcoming and warm. The weather is very mild and constant throughout the year - the epithet "land of eternal spring" is not just a PR stunt. Prices are quite low comparing to my home country, so the cost of living is not a major concern. - Jan 2014
There are a lot of amazing things about Guatemala. Definitely lots of beautiful places to see, such as the ruins at Tikal, Lake Atilan, and Antigua. The temperate climate is hard to beat as well. Guatemala City is a large, modern city with many things to do, plenty of amenities and a nice art scene as well too. - Nov 2011
Beautiful scenery outside of the city, incredibly friendly people, nice sites within 0-3 hours by car, neat opportunities to experience Mayan culture, archaeological ruins, unbeatable weather (average daily temperature year-round 72 degrees). - May 2010
