Xela, Guatemala 🇬🇹
#790
,
Nomad Score:
62%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Very affordable compared to many global cities; daily expenses including food and transport are low.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
89%
Weight: 80
Rent for apartments and shared housing is inexpensive, especially outside the city center.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer fresh produce at low prices; eating out is affordable with many traditional options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
91%
Weight: 20
Public transportation and tuk-tuks are very cheap; fuel prices are low.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78%
Weight: 15
Affordable local entertainment options, though fewer upscale venues.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
72%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available but fewer in number; memberships are affordable but facilities vary.
💱 Currency Stability
54%
Weight: 30
Guatemalan Quetzal is relatively stable but subject to regional economic fluctuations.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
63%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 20-30 Mbps; stable in central areas but can be inconsistent in outskirts.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
51%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces; a few exist but not widespread or highly developed.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
62%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to nomads but not a large established scene.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
48%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination for digital nomads.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with opportunities for outdoor activities and cultural immersion.
🌳 Environmental Quality
65%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality; some pollution in urban areas but surrounded by nature.
🧼 Cleanliness
57%
Weight: 10
Moderate cleanliness; some areas have waste management challenges.
🗨️ Language Barrier
43%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; limited English spoken outside tourist and expat circles.
💨 Air Quality
61%
Weight: 15
Mostly good, though occasional pollution spikes in city center.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
50%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare services available; private clinics better but limited advanced care.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
55%
Weight: 20
Adequate for minor issues; serious conditions may require travel to Guatemala City or abroad.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
76%
Weight: 80
Mild subtropical highland climate; warm days and cool nights, dry season preferred.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
42%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional volcanic activity; rainy season can cause flooding.
🏞️ Green Spaces
74%
Weight: 10
Surrounded by mountains and parks; city has some public green areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60%
Weight: 15
Not widespread in homes; some cafes and hotels have AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
58%
Weight: 10
Two main seasons: dry and rainy; mild temperature variation due to elevation.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
88%
Weight: 20
Rich indigenous and colonial heritage with vibrant local traditions and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
53%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly bars and small clubs, quieter than major cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
89%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, volcanoes, lakes, and natural reserves nearby.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
71%
Weight: 10
Several Spanish schools and language exchange groups available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Abundant cultural tours, markets, and indigenous community visits.
🎳 Indoors Fun
47%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; few cinemas or theaters.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
79%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh ingredients; some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
55%
Weight: 10
A handful of yoga studios and wellness centers, growing interest.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
58%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and outdoor fitness areas available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh fruits and vegetables; organic options limited.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
Central Time Zone (UTC-6); convenient for North American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
49%
Weight: 25
Small expat and nomad community; limited professional networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
38%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is limited; most nomads work for foreign employers.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
42%
Weight: 20
Emerging but small; few local platforms or hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Basic facilities; not many high-end coworking spaces.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
35%
Weight: 15
Very limited startup ecosystem; mostly informal businesses.
💳 Local Payment Services
56%
Weight: 10
Cash dominant; some mobile payment options but limited international integration.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Low adoption; awareness growing but infrastructure limited.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
43%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Guatemala City (1.5-2 hours away); local airport has limited flights.
🚇 Public Transit
57%
Weight: 20
Basic bus and minibus services; no formal rapid transit.
🚶 Walkability
64%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable; some areas less pedestrian-friendly.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
48%
Weight: 15
Limited presence of Uber and similar apps; taxis more common.
🚲 Cycling
45%
Weight: 10
Few dedicated bike lanes; cycling possible but not widespread.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Bus services connect to other cities; informal and sometimes unreliable.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
39%
Weight: 10
Very limited scooter or bike rental services.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
72%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; rural coverage less consistent.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well; no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
68%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
54%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and hotels.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
79%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa easy to obtain for many nationalities; 90-day stay common.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
No tax treaties for many countries; foreign income taxation depends on home country.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
67%
Weight: 15
Generally respected but some political pressures exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
49%
Weight: 20
Some political unrest and corruption issues; relatively stable day-to-day.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
43%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires documentation and local presence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic but possible; processes can be slow.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
56%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly environment but lacks many nomad-specific services.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
41%
Weight: 25
Few organized events; community still small.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
53%
Weight: 20
Some Facebook groups and forums but limited activity.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
52%
Weight: 100
Moderate safety concerns; petty crime common, caution advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Women can live safely but should exercise caution, especially at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
63%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but some social divisions exist.