Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Santa Catalina Arch and Cerro de la Cruz (Viewpoint)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Casa Santo Domingo (Hotel/Museum complex with colonial art)
- Historical Sites
- Convent of Capuchinas and San Francisco El Grande
- Religious Sites
- Antigua Guatemala Cathedral (Catedral de San José)
- Annual Events
- Semana Santa (Holy Week) - world-famous sawdust carpets and processions
- Cultural Districts
- The central 8x8 grid of cobblestone streets (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Theater Venues
- Cultura Antigua and various pop-up stages at Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española
- Local Markets
- Nim Po’t (Textile market on 5th Ave) and Mercado de Artesanías
- Music Scene
- Live jazz at Kafka or Marimba music in Central Park
- Street Art
- Found primarily in the outskirts and nearby towns like Pastores
- Cooking Classes
- La Tortilla Cooking School (approx. $40 for a 3-course class)
- Art Galleries
- La Antigua Galería de Arte (4ta Calle Oriente #15)
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio de los Capitanes Generales
- Local Heritage
- Traditional backstrap weaving demonstrations in Mayan villages like San Antonio Aguas Calientes
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Finca El Pilar (Hiking and hummingbirds) - 15 mins away
- National Parks Nearby
- Acatenango Volcano (Overnight hike for Fuego volcano views) - approx. $80-100 tour
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The path to San Juan del Obispo for a suburban uphill walk/ride
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Hobbitenango (Eco-park with 'Hobbit' style houses) at 2,400 meters altitude
- Birdwatching Locations
- Finca Filadelfia Coffee Resort & Tours
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Base camps on Volcano Acatenango tours
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (4ta Calle) or Cargo Expreso for national shipping
- Tech Repair Services
- iFix Antigua (Apple specialist) or various electronics shops near the Market
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ojala Hostel (Common area)
- Language Classes
- Spanish Academy Sevilla or Antigüeña Spanish Academy (approx. $150/week for 20 hours)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- La Cooperación Española library (free access, quiet courtyard)
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Cooperación Española
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly private setups or internet cafes like El Tecolote
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Mostly found in Guatemala City (Zone 10); Antigua restricts large casinos
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000 in colonial ruins/renovations)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 in Jocotenango or Ciudad Vieja)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $174,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $216,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% on net income or 7% on gross income
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Territorial (Only income earned within Guatemala is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 7% (simplified regime) or 25% (standard regime)
- VAT
- 12% (Impuesto al Valor Agregado)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- IUSI (Impuesto Único Sobre Inmuebles) ranges from 0.2% to 0.9% annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% for second and subsequent sales; 12% (VAT) for first sale
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes; 0% tax on foreign-sourced income under the territorial tax system
Essentials
- City
- Antigua, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala
- Population
- 46,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps (Fiber available up to 200 Mbps in specialized rentals)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 7.80 GTQ (Guatemalan Quetzal)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use EcoFiltro or bottled 'Agua Pura' (approx. 20 GTQ per 5-gallon jug)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Claro; 10GB data package for 30 days costs approx. 150 GTQ ($19)
- Banking for Expats
- BAC Credomatic and Banco Industrial (BI) are most reliable for international cards; Revolut works at 5B ATMs
- Accommodation
- Colonial-style houses, boutique hotels, and garden lofts via Airbnb and Antigua Rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; cards accepted in upscale restaurants, but cash is essential for markets and small shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Selina Antigua, and local Facebook groups like 'Antigua Guatemala Rentals'
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Antigueno (approx. $15/night) or Maya Papaya (approx. $22/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Central Park (Parque Central) area and North toward the Arch of Santa Catalina
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Barrio de las Capuchinas (quieter) or San Bartolomé Becerra for lower long-term rates
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Impact Hub Antigua (Calle del Desengaño #2) - Day pass approx. $15, Monthly $160
- Best Cafe for Work
- Artista de Café (5ta Calle Poniente #22) - Excellent Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere
- Networking Events
- Tuesday Night Meetups at Impact Hub or 'Expats in Antigua' mixers at Antigua Brewing Co.
- Social Events for Expats
- Pub Quizzes at Snug Pub or Salsa dancing nights at Las Palmas
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (very active and safe) or Indriver
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Simoon (6ta Calle Poniente) - $15-$25 per day for scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Monterrico (Black sand volcanic beach, 2.5 hours away via shuttle)
- Top Regional Airline
- TAG Airlines (Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos)
- Top International Airline
- Avianca, United, and Delta (Flying into GUA - La Aurora International)
- Highway Access
- CA-1 (Pan-American Highway) connecting to Guatemala City (approx. 1-2 hours depending on traffic)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Buses Municipal (The 'Chicken Bus' terminal near the market)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; urban 'Chicken Buses' cost 5-10 GTQ cash per trip
- Regional Travel
- Shuttles to Lake Atitlán (approx. $25) or Lanquin/Semuc Champey (approx. $45)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Privado Hermano Pedro (Calle de los Pasos #17)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Shakti Shala (2da Avenida Sur #4) - $12 per drop-in class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Antigua Fitness Club (Calle del Espíritu Santo #46) - Approx. $45/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería El Centro (6ta Calle Poniente) - Approx. 6 GTQ per pound for wash/dry/fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pepián (spicy meat stew) at La Cuevita de los Urquizú
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Samsara (7ma Avenida Sur) - Creative plant-based dishes
- Best Dessert Spots
- Luna de Miel (Crepes) and Doña María Gordillo (traditional candy)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal (The local market) for fresh produce and staples
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Kemik.gt or GuatemalaDigital.com
- Grocery Delivery
- La Torre App or Supermercado La Bodegona website
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- 5ta Avenida Norte (The Arch street) and surrounding blocks
- Local Brewery
- Antigua Brewing Company (4ta Calle Poniente #30)
- Wine Bars
- Tabacos y Vinos (under the Arch) - self-serve wine by the glass
- Street Food Stalls
- Plaza de San Sebastián on weekend evenings
- Popular International Cuisine
- Frida's (Mexican) or Kombu Ramen Shop