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Nomad Score: 62%

Essentials

🏙️ City Xela (Quetzaltenango) is the second-largest city in Guatemala, known for its vibrant culture and stunning highland scenery.
👥 Population Approximately 200,000.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 20-30 Mbps, with better connectivity available in coworking spaces.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 USD ≈ 7.85 GTQ. Local banks include Banco Industrial and Banrural.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; it's recommended to use bottled water.
🔌 Power Electricity is 120V, 60Hz, with Type A and B sockets.
📶 SIM Card Providers include Tigo and Claro with data packages starting from 50 GTQ (~$6.50).
💳 Banking for Expats International cards like Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most places, but cash is still king.
🛌 Accommodation Options include Airbnb, hostels, and local apartments. Monthly rentals can range from 1,500 to 3,000 GTQ (~$200 to $400).
💳 Cashless Friendly Partially; many places prefer cash, especially local markets.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo are popular in Xela.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel Casa de Cuentos offers dorm beds starting at 80 GTQ per night (~$10).
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The central area near Parque Central is ideal for tourists.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Colonia Villa Verde offers long-term rental options and a quiet environment for work.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Tribal Xela, offers good internet and a community environment, monthly memberships for around 300 GTQ (~$38).
Best Cafe for Work Cafe La Luna, known for its coffee and good Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Expats in Xela Facebook group offers community meetups and networking opportunities.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Weekly language exchange meetups at various cafes.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Uber is available in nearby cities, but local taxis are common in Xela.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bicycles can be rented from local shops for around 50 GTQ (~$6.50) per day.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby The nearest beach is roughly a 3-hour drive to the Pacific coast at San José, such as Playa hermosa.
✈️ Top Regional Airline TAG Airlines operates flights to and from Guatemala City.
✈️ Top International Airline Avianca and United Airlines operate from La Aurora International Airport.
🛣️ Highway Access Access to CA-1 highway connecting to major cities like Guatemala City.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Xela does not have a train system; local buses and shuttles are primary transport.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Buses are around 1-5 GTQ (~$0.15 to $0.65) per ride throughout the city.
✈️ Regional Travel Local buses connect Xela to nearby towns such as Lago de Atitlan in about 2-3 hours.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Hospital Regional de Occidente offers various medical services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Zen Yoga Studio provides classes in town, with drop-in rates around 50 GTQ (~$6.50).
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gym Xela has monthly memberships from 200 GTQ (~$25).
🧺 Laundry Services Lava Rápido offers affordable laundry services starting at 20 GTQ (~$2.50) per load.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Rappi and Uber Eats are available in Xela.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Kak'ik, a traditional Mayan turkey soup.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options The Green House Cafe offers a variety of vegan dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots La Factoría offers local pastries and desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Mercado Municipal, a local market with fresh produce and street food.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Amazon delivers to Guatemala with possible import fees.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Local grocery store 'Despensa Familiar' may offer delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Central Xela offers various bars, with La Cantina being popular among expats.
🍻 Local Brewery Cerveza Xela produces local craft beer.
🍷 Wine Bars Casa de Vino offers a selection of local and imported wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls El Mercadito offers a variety of street food options at affordable prices.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine The burritos at El Fogón are a must-try for international cuisine lovers.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Catedral del Espíritu Santo and Parque Central are key attractions.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Museo de Historia Natural showcases regional history and exhibits.
🏰 Historical Sites The historical architecture in the central square area is notable.
🕍 Religious Sites Iglesia de San Andrés is a local historic church worth visiting.
🎉 Annual Events Xela's La Fiesta de la Independencia in September features parades and traditional events.
🎨 Cultural Districts The districts around Parque Central offer rich culture and art galleries.
🎭 Theater Venues Teatro Xela features local performances and cultural events.
🛍️ Local Markets Mercado de Xela is a vibrant market for local crafts and food.
🎼 Music Scene Live music in local cafes, especially on weekends.
🎨 Street Art Vibrant murals can be found throughout the city, particularly in cultural districts.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Cooking classes at La Casa en el Árbol teach traditional Guatemalan recipes.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Galería de Arte offers a showcase for local artists.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Notable colonial buildings around the central plaza.
🏴 Local Heritage Xela is known for its unique blend of indigenous Mayan and Spanish cultures.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Lago de Atitlán is a breathtaking lake nearby, just a 2-3 hour drive.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Parque Nacional San Marcos offers hiking opportunities around beautiful landscapes.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Scenic paths can be found surrounding the city, especially towards nearby mountains.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The viewpoint at Parque Ecologico Cerro Quemado offers stunning views.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Cerro Candelaria is known for its rich avian life.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Certain areas at Lago de Atitlán allow bonfires, especially at beach fronts.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL and local post service offer parcel delivery options.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Several local shops in Xela offer tech repair services for smartphones and laptops.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Community centers sometimes organized ping pong clubs.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Many language schools such as 'Xela Spanish School' offer classes for foreigners.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Biblioteca de Xela has quiet areas for studying.
🏘️ Community Centers Centro Cultural de Xela hosts various cultural events and workshops.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Internet cafes such as 'GeekLand' host gaming nights.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Xela does not have casinos; the closest large gambling is in Guatemala City.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 7,500 GTQ per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 300,000 GTQ).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 6,000 GTQ per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 240,000 GTQ).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 6,500 GTQ per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 390,000 GTQ).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 5,500 GTQ per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 330,000 GTQ).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. 5,000 GTQ per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 400,000 GTQ).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. 4,000 GTQ per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 320,000 GTQ).
💼 Corporate Tax 25% standard corporate tax rate.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 10% on dividend distributions.
🏦 Tax System Guatemalan residents are taxed on worldwide income but with benefits for foreign income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 30% for high earners.
🧾 VAT Standard VAT rate of 12%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, foreign income may be taxed under certain conditions.
🏠 Property Tax Slight property taxation based on property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax 2% tax on property transactions.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads 0% tax on income earned outside of Guatemala for foreign nationals.

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