kamarsha
8/21/2014 09:15 EST
Does anyone know how I can find info on regulations, permits, etc for opening a restaurant in Guatemala? In English? Or know of an ex-pat who has done so?
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busman7
8/21/2014 13:06 EST
I believe Café No Sé in Antigua is run by an expat.
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zaqwsx
8/22/2014 10:45 EST
This is a country of massive regulations and a largely corrupt bureaucracy. the only reason it works is relationships. You try to tell a Guatemalan bureaucrat what his regulations are he will have you for lunch. You need a good attorney, and in this country they are cheaper than a secretary in the U.S. In Antigua, I would recommend Edwardo Salizar 4034 97533 he and his brother Armando 7832 9127 are both attorney from a good Antiguan family went to the best private schools and know everybody. they both speak better english than I do, their mother teaches english.
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joband
8/22/2014 12:06 EST
Not specifically for restaurant permits, but likely easy to find out from any open restaurant just by asking them. Expat or not. I doubt any health or biz regs would be different in that way.
http://www.ibtimes.com/guatemala-colombia-mexico-among-best-countries-world-start-business-world-bank-study-says-1448076
http://www.quetzalnet.com/Bus_Guide.html
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IamAmazing
8/22/2014 20:57 EST
My husband just opened bar/restaurant in Guatemala City - zone 1 ! It took about a month to get all licenses. You will need to be registered with SAT and have facturas printed or do POS system. Will take a month to get visanet set up also. Come by to see us at the bar - Red Star Bar! We on FB also - you can pm me for more info or if you need a lawyer!
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AlPavarotti
8/22/2014 21:12 EST
Eduardo Salazar's number has one digit too many. They're supposed to be eight.
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AlPavarotti
8/23/2014 10:35 EST
It'll be nice to have the address for the Red Star Bar. Zone 1 is my favorite part of town to hang out in GC. I enjoyed a delicious Pastel de Helote with a cup of white chocolate at McDonalds/McCafe on 6th avenue the other night. Tacos at TacoTento is a waste of money though. My cab driver took me to Porky's, kind of a hidden restaurant in zone 6 that serves traditional guatemalan food (carne adobada, carnitas, chicharrones, morcilla). And the food was delicious and fresh. But it's only known by locals. IMO a place like that in zone one could be a gold mine
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zaqwsx
8/23/2014 14:41 EST
Sorry I got the attorneys phone number wrong it is Edwardo 4034 9753. I talked to him today and he said he would charge q1000. $125.00 to sit down with you and go over everything really needed to open a restaurant in Antigua. He would also be happy to meet with you and the different bureaucrats to smooth out the process.
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IamAmazing
8/23/2014 16:46 EST
Red Star Bar is on 5th Avenue 9-31. Between 9th and 10th calle. A block and a half away from the Tacotento and the McDonalds. We are open Wednesday to Saturday evenings at the moment. We have artisanal beer on tap as well as other beer options besides Gallo. We have a bar menu as well....highlight is Russian dumplings....(called Pelmeni in Russian.) I am Russian but lived in the US for many years. Come and visit...would be nice to meet a fellow expat. Red Star is on Facebook too FYI.
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IamAmazing
8/23/2014 16:53 EST
Altogether it cost us about Q7,750 for all the permits. A lot of money in Guatemala terms but not compared to US. Also, we didn't have to do much and we got the permits pretty quickly....3 weeks or so and it was during World Cup so happened faster than we expected. You can compare that price to what this lawyer will charge you. I am sure we paid a gringo price though. We are looking for another lawyer who will charge fairer prices and speaks English and is in the city. Suggestions anyone?
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kamarsha
8/23/2014 21:56 EST
Thanks everyone for the advice and information. It will save me a great deal of time and probably prevent me from making some serious mistakes!
Still working on my travel dates for an exploratory trip in Sept/Oct. Will most definitely swing by the Red Star Bar!
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