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Guatemala City, Guatemala πŸ‡¬πŸ‡Ή

#787 ,
Nomad Score: 60%

Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala, is a vibrant urban center rich in culture and history.
πŸ‘₯ Population Approx. 1 million
πŸ’» Internet Speed Average speed of 25 Mbps, with some cafes and coworking spaces offering faster connections.
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking 1 USD β‰ˆ 7.80 GTQ; ATMs widely available, major credit cards accepted.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; bottled water recommended.
πŸ”Œ Power 120V, 60Hz, πŸ”Œ Type A/B sockets.
πŸ“Ά SIM Card Major providers include Tigo and Claro, offering affordable prepaid options.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats Local banks like Banco Industrial accept payments through international cards, Revolut works well.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Options include Airbnb, serviced apartments, and local rental agencies.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Limited; cash is preferred, but major cards accepted in some places.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Platforms like Airbnb and local agencies provide various options.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Hostel options like Monjas del Agua offer shared dorms starting at GTQ 100/night.
πŸ™οΈ Best Area to Stay for Tourists Zona 10 is a popular district with hotels, restaurants, and safety.
πŸ™οΈ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Zona 4 (also known as Paseo La Reforma) is recommended for its coworking spaces and vibrant community.

Working and Networking

🏒 Best Coworking Space Impact Hub offers flexible workspaces and networking opportunities.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work CafΓ© el Injerto is known for strong coffee and good Wi-Fi.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Regular meetups are hosted by various tech and startup communities via platforms like Meetup.com.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Facebook groups such as 'Guatemala Expats' facilitate social gatherings and community building.

Transportation

πŸš• Best Taxi/Ride App Uber is widely used and preferred for convenience and safety.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals available through local shops, e-scooter rentals are not common.
πŸ–οΈ Best Beach Nearby Monterrico Beach, approximately 2 hours away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Avianca for regional travel within Central America.
✈️ Top International Airline American Airlines, Delta, and United have flights from Guatemala City.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access Major highways connect to the coast and other regions, notably CA-9 and CA-1.
πŸš‰ Main Train/Transit Hub Guatemala City does not have a train system; public buses and taxis are common.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Buses are cheap but often crowded; no formal pass system.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses (such as Pullmantur) connect to nearby cities like Antigua and Quetzaltenango.

Health and Wellness

πŸ₯ Best Hospital Hospital El Ángel offers quality healthcare and is frequented by expats.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Soma Yoga Studio offers various classes in a welcoming environment.
πŸ‹οΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gold's Gym and Smart Fit have multiple branches throughout the city.
🧺 Laundry Services Laundry service providers include Lavandería El Pato, with reasonable prices.

Food and Drink

πŸ“± Best Food Delivery App Glovo and UberEats are popular for food delivery.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Pepian, a traditional meat stew with a blend of spices and flavors.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Café Candelaria offers a range of plant-based dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots La Casa de los Abuelitos serves traditional Guatemalan desserts.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots Mercado Central is an excellent spot for local food and goods at budget prices.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Amazon ships to Guatemala City and local sites like Walmart and Despensa familiar offer online shopping.
πŸ›’ Grocery Delivery Local supermarkets like Walmart and Despensa Familiar offer home delivery options.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Zona 4 is known for its nightlife, featuring bars and clubs.
🍻 Local Brewery Cervecería 14 offers local brews and is a popular spot.
🍷 Wine Bars Casa de Vino offers a wide selection of wines from different regions.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street vendors serve tacos and pupusas throughout the city.
πŸ• Popular International Cuisine CafeterΓ­a La Fama offers a mix of international dishes including Italian and Asian cuisine.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral are essential visits.
πŸ›οΈ Museums & Art Venues The Museo de Arte Moderno offers contemporary art exhibitions.
🏰 Historical Sites The ancient ruins of Kaminaljuyu are located in the city.
πŸ• Religious Sites La Merced Church is famous for its stunning architecture.
πŸŽ‰ Annual Events Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a grand celebration with colorful processions.
🎨 Cultural Districts Zona 1 has a rich historical context and vibrant street art.
🎭 Theater Venues Teatro Nacional is an iconic venue that hosts performances.
πŸ›οΈ Local Markets Mercado de ArtesanΓ­as offers local craftwork and souvenirs.
🎼 Music Scene Clubs in Zona 4 regularly host live music and events.
🎨 Street Art Check out the murals in Zona 1 for impressive urban art.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes La Cocina de la Abuela offers traditional cooking classes.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries GalerΓ­a de Arte Actuel showcases local artists.
πŸ•°οΈ Historic Buildings The presidential palace is a notable architectural piece.
🏴 Local Heritage The Quetzal, Guatemala's national symbol, represents cultural heritage.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

πŸŒ… Nearby Nature Escapes The nearby mountains offer hiking and stunning views, especially at Cerro de la Cruz.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Parque Nacional canned for its scenic beauty and biodiversity, is about an hour's drive.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Paseo Cayala offers paved paths perfect for walking and cycling.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints Mirador del Cerrajo provides breathtaking views of the city and surrounding areas.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations Bosque de la Ciudad is a great spot for observing native bird species.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots Certain parks allow bonfires, typically in designated areas but confirming with local regulations is important.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service DHL and FedEx offer international shipping services in Guatemala City.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Local shops like Computer Repair provide device repairs at reasonable prices.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots Ping Pong clubs are available in some community centers.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes Spanish schools such as PLQ offer immersion programs for foreigners.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots The Biblioteca Nacional de Guatemala is a good study spot with a quiet environment.
🏘️ Community Centers Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias hosts cultural events and classes.
πŸ•ΉοΈ Gaming Lounges Locally, gaming cafes like Game On provide group gaming sessions.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Casino Fortuny is a popular spot for gaming in the city.

Business

🏒 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. GTQ 20,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = GTQ 800,000)
🏒 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. GTQ 15,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = GTQ 600,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. GTQ 18,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = GTQ 1,080,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. GTQ 12,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = GTQ 720,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. GTQ 16,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = GTQ 1,280,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. GTQ 10,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = GTQ 800,000)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax 25%
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax 10%
🏦 Tax System Worldwide income basis for residents.
πŸ“ˆ Highest Income Tax Bracket 30%
🧾 VAT 12%
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules No strict rules in place.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax based on assessed value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Approximately 3% on property purchase.
πŸ’» Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads N/D, resident tax obligations apply based on local income sources.

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