½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Menu
½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Cost of living in Guatemala — 2015

Post new topic

expat.com

Hi all,

We invite you to talk about the cost of living in Guatemala in 2015, with an updated price listing.

Don't forget to mention in which city of Guatemala you are living in.

How much does it cost to live in Guatemala?

> accommodation prices

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.)

> food prices (your monthly budget)

> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)

> education prices (if you need to pay)

> energy prices (oil, electricity)

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)

> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant

> price for a coffee or a drink

> price for cinema tickets

Do not hesitate to add items to this list! ;)

Thank you in advance for your participation.

tonyfleming

We moved to Panajachel on Lake Atitlan in August, and here's what we've learned about prices so far. Keep in mind that Pana has a large ex-pat population, so prices here are closer to U.S. level than is typical around the lake or elsewhere.

> accommodation prices
  A large one bedroom apartment in the center of town will run you between US$200-400. It depends strongly on how close you are to the center of town, what amenities you have (hot water?) and whether you use a realtor (who gets a commission each month). 

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.)
  We take tuk-tuks around when we need to get somewhere in a hurry or are tired. Otherwise we walk everywhere. A tuk-tuk ride anywhere within town costs Q5 (about $0.65) per person. If you are going out of town to Antigua or Guate City, you can usually get a shared shuttle (15-16 people crammed in, but okay) one way for US$25-35. A private shuttle round trip to the City and back will go for about US$100.

> food prices (your monthly budget)
  We live very well for two people on a food budget of about US$100-120/month. Best prices for meat and vegs are going to be in the market at the top of town. The Dispensa Familia (owned by Walmart) has decent prices on many goods. Chalo's has many familiar goods but is pricier. Saundra's also has many imported products but is generally most expensive. They have two stores so sometimes you pay for the convenience.

> energy prices (oil, electricity)
  We pay roughly US$12-15 dollars a month for electricty, US$6-8 a month for bottled water (delivered).

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)
  We pay roughly US$30-35 a month for high speed Internet (I use Skype daily) and US$12-15 for cable television.

> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant
  In many restaurants, the prices are risen in recent years to almost match U.S. prices. You'll easily pay US$3-5 dollars for a hamburger and fries, a few dollars more for a good meal. That said, luxury meals are still lower since most of the population are passing through and looking for cheaps eats. You can get a really good meal in a quality restaurant for US$8-9 dollars.

> price for a coffee or a drink
  Most coffee places in Pana will run you about US$2.50-$3 for a latte, machiotto or such.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Guatemala

  • Banking in Guatemala
    Banking in Guatemala

    Guatemala has endeavoured to clamp down on money laundering by implementing stringent control over international ...

  • How to drive in Guatemala
    How to drive in Guatemala

    The majority of public means of transportation in Guatemala is notoriously uncomfortable, so being able to drive ...

  • Phones and internet in Guatemala
    Phones and internet in Guatemala

    Guatemala enjoys extensive and modern telecommunications networks, encompassing cellular and land lines, broadband ...

  • The healthcare system in Guatemala
    The healthcare system in Guatemala

    Guatemala's public health system benefits from a well-established legal framework, a long-standing ...

  • Free movies
    Free movies

    As a movie fan, having the chance of watching all kinds of movies in the places I visit is a plus. Although, ...

  • Leisure activities in Guatemala
    Leisure activities in Guatemala

    With Guatemala's rich cultural and historic heritage, stunning landscapes and dense cultural agenda, spending your ...

  • Finding work in Guatemala
    Finding work in Guatemala

    Guatemala has a stable economy driven by the primary and tertiary sectors. Although foreigners are only rarely ...

  • The tax system in Guatemala
    The tax system in Guatemala

    Taxation in Guatemala is all but excessive; the country's revenue from tax, at 12.3% of GDP, is one of the lowest ...

All of Guatemala's guide articles