Antigua, Guatemala 🇬🇹
#785
,
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Antigua is a historic city known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 40,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 25 Mbps, sometimes higher in coworking spaces. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 7.80 GTQ; ATMs widely available, major cards accepted. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz; Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Tigo and Claro, with data plans starting around GTQ 50. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include Banrural and Banco Industrial; mobile apps available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from boutique hotels to hostels and rentals via Airbnb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Partially; cash is still commonly preferred for smaller transactions. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available on Airbnb, prices from GTQ 250 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Casa Rinconada starting from GTQ 80 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Centro Historico, near main attractions like La Merced Church. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Around Parque Central; various coworking spaces nearby. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Selina Antigua, offering flexible memberships and community events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Sky, known for good coffee and wifi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized through local expat groups on Facebook. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Antigua Expat Meetup group, active monthly events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in the area; local taxis are also available. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Antigua Bicycles offers rentals; prices around GTQ 100 per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Monterrico Beach, approximately 2.5 hours drive from Antigua. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | TAG Airlines for domestic travel. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Avianca and American Airlines serve the nearby airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Accessible via CA-9 highway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Local bus stations provide connections to nearby cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Buses are inexpensive, but passes are not commonly used. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses to Guatemala City express services run frequently. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Hermano Pedro, offering emergency and basic services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Casa de la Alhambra, hosts regular yoga classes most days. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Balance Gym offers monthly memberships for GTQ 300. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Antigua provides drop-off and pick-up services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Rappi operates in Antigua for food and grocery delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Pepian, a traditional spicy meat stew. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Café Condesa offers a good variety of options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Choco Museo serves delicious chocolate treats. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado de Antigua, for local produce and meals. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon delivers to Guatemala with fees. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercado Paiz offers delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Calle del Arco hosts a variety of bars for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cerveza Quezal, offering brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | El Mesón de las Flores specializing in local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Calle del Arco has many vendors selling local snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurante Los Tres Tiempos for pizza and pasta. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Santa Catalina Arch, La Merced Church, and Cerro de la Cruz. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Casa Santo Domingo offers cultural exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Antigua Guatemala's colonial architecture throughout the city. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Cathedral of San Jose, a key historical site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations attract many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Convento de las Capuchinas area known for history. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro de la República features local productions. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | El Mercado Central for authentic artisan goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music events frequently held in local bars. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Visit the streets for vibrant murals around Antigua. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Casa de la Cultura offers classes in Guatemalan cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Arte Centro Graciela offers local and international art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | La Merced Church and the ruins of the old cathedral. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Antigua Guatemala is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Pacaya Volcano, popular for hiking and stunning views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Tikal National Park is a major natural attraction, though further away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Trails around the outskirts of Antigua for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cerro de la Cruz offers panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Birdwatching tours available around local coffee farms. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas near local campsites for gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and local courier services available. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops offer phone and laptop repairs at reasonable rates. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis available at some community centers. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Many Spanish schools, such as La Casa de los Tres Mundos. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Casa de la Cultura and local cafes provide good study environments. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural La Azotea for cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Limited; local cafes may have some gaming setups. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | No major casinos; small venues for entertainment only. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. GTQ 8,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = GTQ 320,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. GTQ 6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = GTQ 240,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. GTQ 7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = GTQ 450,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. GTQ 5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = GTQ 330,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. GTQ 7,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = GTQ 560,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. GTQ 5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = GTQ 400,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% for businesses in Guatemala. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% for dividends paid to foreign entities. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Guatemalan residents taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 30% on high-income earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | 12% standard VAT applicable. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strictly enforce rules for foreign income. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | 2% annually on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% tax applies during property purchase. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific tax incentives for nomads; standard rates apply. |