Essentials
- City
- Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala
- Population
- Approximately 190,000 (Metropolitan area approx. 600,000)
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-50 Mbps; Fiber optic available up to 100 Mbps in select locations
- Currency & Banking
- 1 GTQ ≈ 0.13 USD, 1 USD ≈ 7.80 GTQ
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled or filtered water (Ecofiltro is common)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Claro; Tigo has best coverage. 10GB for approx. 150 GTQ ($19 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- BAC Credomatic (best for international cards), Banco Industrial, Banrural
- Accommodation
- Coliving, Spanish school homestays, and boutique hotels
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; cards accepted in supermarkets and upscale cafes, cash (GTQ) required for markets and chicken buses
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Encuentra24, and local Facebook groups (Xela Facebook Marketplace)
- Budget Accommodation
- The Black Cat Hostel (approx. 80 GTQ/night for dorms)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Zona 1 (Historic Center) near Parque Central
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Zona 3 (near Pradera Xela) for modern amenities or Zona 1 for culture
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- XelaPages Coworking (Zona 1) - Approx. 800 GTQ/month; also Coworking Quetzaltenango
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mandala Cafe or Red Kat - Good Wi-Fi and ample outlets in Zona 1
- Networking Events
- Entre Mundos community meetings and Spanish school social mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- Tuesday Night Pub Quiz at Pool and Beer (Zona 1)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Indriver (most popular) or Uber (limited availability)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Velo-Xela (Zona 1) for mountain bike rentals (approx. 150 GTQ/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Champerico (approx. 2.5 hours by bus/car)
- Top Regional Airline
- TAG Airlines (Flights from Xela Airport to Guatemala City)
- Top International Airline
- Avianca, United, and Delta (via Guatemala City GUA)
- Highway Access
- CA-1 (Pan-American Highway) connecting to Lake Atitlán and Mexico
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Minerva (Main bus hub for chicken buses)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; pay 1.25 - 2.50 GTQ cash to the 'ayudante' on local microbuses
- Regional Travel
- Pullman buses like Alamo or Fuente del Norte for comfortable travel to GT City (80-100 GTQ)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital La Democracia (Zona 3) or Hospital Privado Quetzaltenango
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Semilla Holistic Center - Yoga classes for approx. 50 GTQ per session
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Go Fitness Xela (Interperformance Mall) - Approx. 350 GTQ/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Xelapan (Various locations) - Approx. 6 GTQ per pound
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pepián (spicy meat stew) or Quichom
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Sabe Delicioso (Zona 1) - Fresh organic vegetarian lunches
- Best Dessert Spots
- Xelapan (Legendary local bakery chain) - Try the 'Sheca' bread
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado La Democracia (Massive open-air market in Zona 3)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Kemik.gt or Facebook Marketplace
- Grocery Delivery
- La Torre or Paiz online ordering
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Zona 1, specifically 14 Avenida (The Pub, King and Queen)
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería de los Altos (Small-batch craft beer)
- Wine Bars
- L'Aperitiff (Zona 1) - Excellent wine and cheese selections
- Street Food Stalls
- Taco carts near Parque Central after 7:00 PM (3 tacos for 15 GTQ)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Giuseppe’s Gourmet Pizza (Italian) or Royal Paris (French/International)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Parque Centro América and the Municipal Theater
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de Historia Natural (In the Casa de la Cultura)
- Historical Sites
- Pasaje Enríquez (Neoclassical arcade)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral Metropolitana de Los Altos
- Annual Events
- Xelafer (Independence Day Fair in September)
- Cultural Districts
- Centro Histórico (Zona 1)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal de Quetzaltenango
- Local Markets
- Mercado Minerva (The largest and most chaotic native market)
- Music Scene
- Bajo la Luna (Live jazz and acoustic sets)
- Street Art
- Murals around the Tanque La Unión area
- Cooking Classes
- Sacuanjoche Cooking School (Zona 1)
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte Vessica
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Municipal
- Local Heritage
- Strong K'iche' Maya influence; traditional dress (traje) is daily wear
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Fuentes Georginas (Natural hot springs) - 30 mins away
- National Parks Nearby
- Volcán Santa María (Hiking to 3,772m) and Santiaguito Lookout
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The climb to El Baúl hill for city views
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador El Baúl (Accessible by taxi or hike)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Cloud forests surrounding Volcán Zunil
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping areas on the Tajumulco Volcano trek
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- GuateEx (Local), DHL, and Fedex
- Tech Repair Services
- iStore Xela (Pradera Mall) for Apple or local shops in Pasaje Enríquez
- Table Tennis Spots
- Pool and Beer (Games area)
- Language Classes
- Miguel de Cervantes School or PLQE (Pie de Lana)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (Zona 1)
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Los Chocoyos
- Gaming Lounges
- Nexus Gaming Center (Zona 3)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Video Lotería slots in Zona 3 (limited)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,500 GTQ per m² (40 m² = 340,000 GTQ / $43,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 6,000 GTQ per m² (40 m² = 240,000 GTQ / $30,700)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,000 GTQ per m² (60 m² = 480,000 GTQ / $61,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,500 GTQ per m² (60 m² = 330,000 GTQ / $42,300)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 7,500 GTQ per m² (80 m² = 600,000 GTQ / $76,900)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,000 GTQ per m² (80 m² = 400,000 GTQ / $51,200)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% on net income or 5-7% on gross income
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Territorial (Only income earned within Guatemala is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 7% (Under the Optional Simplified Regime)
- VAT
- 12%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- IUSI - Rates vary from 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
- Highly attractive due to territorial tax system; foreign-sourced income is 0% taxed