Forum
Analytics
Xela, Guatemala 🇬🇹
#790
,
Nomad Score:
63%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Very affordable compared to global standards, especially for accommodation and food.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
89%
Weight: 80
Low rental prices for apartments and shared housing, suitable for long-term stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are inexpensive; imported goods cost more but still reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90%
Weight: 20
Public transportation and tuk-tuks are very cheap and widely available.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78%
Weight: 15
Affordable local entertainment options, though limited variety compared to larger cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
72%
Weight: 10
Gyms are affordable but facilities may be basic.
💱 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 10-20 Mbps; stable but can be inconsistent in some areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
51%
Weight: 40
Few coworking spaces exist, mostly small and limited in amenities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but not widespread.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
48%
Weight: 100
Growing but still a niche destination for digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with plenty of downtime and cultural activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
67%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality but some urban pollution and waste management issues.
🧼 Cleanliness
55%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies; some areas well-maintained, others less so.
🗨️ Language Barrier
42%
Weight: 30
Spanish is dominant; limited English spoken outside tourist areas.
💨 Air Quality
64%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality; better than Guatemala City but occasional pollution.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
53%
Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented amenities; better suited for singles or couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
58%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available; private clinics better but limited advanced care.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
76%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
62%
Weight: 20
Sufficient for minor issues; serious conditions require travel to larger cities.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
74%
Weight: 80
Mild subtropical highland climate; warm days, cool nights, rainy season May-Oct.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
43%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and volcanic activity; some flooding during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
71%
Weight: 10
Several parks and nearby natural areas; good access to nature.
❄️ Air Conditioning
50%
Weight: 15
Not common in many accommodations; fans more typical due to mild climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
58%
Weight: 10
Distinct wet and dry seasons but limited temperature variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
57%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; some areas noisy due to traffic and markets.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
86%
Weight: 20
Rich indigenous and colonial heritage with vibrant local traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
54%
Weight: 15
Modest nightlife scene; bars and live music but limited late-night options.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
83%
Weight: 15
Close to mountains, lakes, and volcanoes; excellent for hiking and exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
75%
Weight: 10
Many Spanish schools and language exchange meetups available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
79%
Weight: 10
Good variety of cultural tours, markets, and indigenous community visits.
🎳 Indoors Fun
47%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; few cinemas or large malls.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
78%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh ingredients; some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
56%
Weight: 10
A handful of yoga studios and wellness centers, but not widespread.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
59%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and outdoor fitness options available.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
68%
Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables abundant; organic options limited but growing.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
81%
Weight: 20
Central Time Zone (UTC-6) aligns well with North American business hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
45%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events; informal meetups occasionally held.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
39%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
42%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is emerging but still small and informal.
🏢 Coworking Quality
48%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with limited amenities and professional services.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
37%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem; few accelerators or incubators.
💳 Local Payment Services
53%
Weight: 10
Cash dominant; mobile payments growing but limited international options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
41%
Weight: 15
Low adoption; some interest but infrastructure and regulation lagging.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
52%
Weight: 30
Nearest international airport is La Aurora in Guatemala City, about 3 hours away.
🚇 Public Transit
57%
Weight: 20
Local buses and tuk-tuks available but no formal public transit system.
🚶 Walkability
69%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
46%
Weight: 15
Limited presence of ride-sharing apps; taxis and tuk-tuks more common.
🚲 Cycling
51%
Weight: 10
Cycling possible but infrastructure is minimal and roads can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Frequent buses connect to other cities; affordable but slow.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
49%
Weight: 10
Few rental options; mostly bicycles rather than scooters.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
72%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; rural coverage less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with stable internet connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
64%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Limited free public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and some public spots.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
73%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa on arrival for many nationalities; straightforward process.
📊 Tax Friendliness
61%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
70%
Weight: 15
Generally respected but occasional political pressures exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
52%
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 local documentation and can be slow.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming process for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
56%
Weight: 50
Emerging destination with some infrastructure but limited formal support.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
41%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups but no regular or large-scale events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
50%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online groups and forums for digital nomads in Xela.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
55%
Weight: 100
Moderate safety; petty crime common, but violent crime less frequent in tourist areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Some cultural challenges; women should exercise caution especially at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
62%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but some ethnic and class tensions exist.