Essentials
- City
- Panajachel, Sololá Department, Guatemala
- Population
- 15,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- 15-50 Mbps (Starlink increasingly common at major cafes)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 7.80 GTQ (Quetzales). Use 5B or BI ATMs for best rates.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use EcoFiltro or buy 20L 'garrafones' for 20 GTQ
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard). Frequent power outages during rainy season.
- SIM Card
- Claro or Tigo. Tigo has better coverage in Lake Atitlán (approx. 100 GTQ for 10GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Industrial (BI) or BAC Credomatic; Revolut works at ATMs but fees apply
- Accommodation
- Selina Panajachel, Airbnb, or local rental agencies like Atitlan Solutions
- Cashless Friendly
- No, Panajachel is cash-heavy. Cards accepted only in upscale hotels/restaurants with 5% surcharge
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO; expect $600-$1,200 USD/month for lake-view units
- Budget Accommodation
- Dreamboat Hostel ($12/night), Hospedaje El Viajero ($15/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Calle Santander (the main tourist artery for convenience)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Neighborhood of Jucanya (quieter, better residential views) or Santa Catarina Palopó road
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Panajachel (Calle del Embarcadero); Daily pass $12, Monthly $150
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe Loco (Calle Santander) - Great Wi-Fi and best coffee; Crossroads Coffee
- Networking Events
- Selina Weekly Nomad Meetups; Panajachel Community Facebook Group
- Social Events for Expats
- Trivia nights at The Clubhouse; volunteer days at Mayan Families
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use Tuk-Tuks (standard fare 5-10 GTQ within town)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Velo-Atitlan (Calle Santander); $15/day for mountain bikes
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Publica (Panajachel) or take a lancha to Playa Blanca
- Top Regional Airline
- TAG Airlines (flights from Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango or Flores)
- Top International Airline
- United, Delta, Avianca (via La Aurora International Airport - GUA)
- Highway Access
- CA-1 Pan-American Highway connects via the Sololá winding road
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; the 'Chicken Bus' terminal is near the town market
- Public Transport Passes
- N/A; Pay per trip in cash (5 GTQ for local buses, 25 GTQ for Lanchas/boats)
- Regional Travel
- Public Lancha (boats) to San Pedro (25 GTQ) or San Marcos (25 GTQ)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centro de Salud Panajachel (basic); Hospital Centro Médico in Guatemala City for emergencies
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Pana Yoga (near Calle Real); Spa at Hotel Atitlán
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio Pana-Fit (Calle Real); approx. 200 GTQ per month
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Real (Calle Santander); approx 6 GTQ per pound
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major apps; order directly via WhatsApp from 'Mandaditos Pana'
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pepián (spicy meat stew); find it at Comedor de Doña Chonita
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Delhi 6 (Indian) and The Little Spoon (healthy bowls)
- Best Dessert Spots
- ChocoMuseo (Calle Santander) for artisanal cacao treats
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Municipal Market (Mercado) - Tuesday and Friday are peak days
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Kemik.gt (Guatemalan online store); Facebook Marketplace is very active
- Grocery Delivery
- La Torre (supermarket) offers delivery in the local area
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Santander; hotspots include La Palapa and Circus Bar
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Zapote (served at La Palapa); Gallo is the national beer
- Wine Bars
- Tuscani Panajachel (Italian focus and wine selection)
- Street Food Stalls
- Taco stands at the intersection of Calle Santander and Calle Real
- Popular International Cuisine
- Circus Bar (Legendary Pizza); Guajimbo’s (Uruguayan Steak)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lake Atitlán shore; Church of Saint Francis (built in 1567)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Lacustre Atitlán (inside Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo)
- Historical Sites
- Spanish Colonial ruins of the San Francisco Convent
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís
- Annual Events
- Feria de Panajachel (October 4th - St. Francis Day)
- Cultural Districts
- The upper town (Pueblo) for authentic Mayan culture
- Theater Venues
- N/A; most performances are street-based or at Casa Cakchiquel
- Local Markets
- Mercado Municipal de Panajachel (fresh produce and textiles)
- Music Scene
- Live Marimba music at Hotel Atitlán; Rock/Jazz at Circus Bar
- Street Art
- Murals on the walls of the Jucanya school and Calle del Cementerio
- Cooking Classes
- Mayan Kitchen Cooking Class (approx. $40 USD)
- Art Galleries
- La Galería (Calle del Rio) - showcases local and international artists
- Historic Buildings
- Casa Cakchiquel (one of the first hotels on the lake, now a photo archive)
- Local Heritage
- Tzutujil and Kaqchikel Mayan weaving traditions
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Reserva Natural Atitlán (zip-lining, butterfly garden, trails)
- National Parks Nearby
- Volcán San Pedro National Park (hikeable via boat to San Pedro)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The road to Santa Catarina Palopó (scenic walk/bike)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador San Jorge (uphill towards Sololá for the iconic 3-volcano view)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Reserva Natural Atitlán for sightings of the Quetzal and Motmoto
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Public beach areas near Jucanya (permission often required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- GuateEx (Local), DHL (International - Boutique Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo office)
- Tech Repair Services
- Intelaf (Guatemala City - 3 hrs drive); Small shops on Calle Real for phones
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selina Panajachel Common Area
- Language Classes
- Jabel Tinamit Spanish School (Calle Santander)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca de Panajachel; Casa Cakchiquel quiet garden
- Community Centers
- Mayan Families (NGO providing community support)
- Gaming Lounges
- None; local internet cafes in the upper town have basic PC gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- No casinos in Panajachel
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² ($88,000 for 40 m² studio)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² ($60,000 for 40 m² studio)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² ($120,000 for 60 m² unit)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² ($78,000 for 60 m² unit)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² ($144,000 for 80 m² condo)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² ($96,000 for 80 m² condo)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% on net income or 5-7% on gross revenue
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Territorial (only income earned within Guatemala is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 7% (for those on the simplified regime)
- VAT
- 12%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- IUSI (0.2% to 0.9% annually based on value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 12% VAT for first sale; 3% Stamp Tax for subsequent sales
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% Tax on foreign-sourced income