Thanks to the folks who have shared info. I'll be trying to make contact and see what each of the two recommendations has to offer! thanks again! @ ellenbuilder "must be clean shaven" are you serious?

I agree 100%. Come with an open mind and common sense and ready to adapt to ways of living that may be contrary to what you are used to! Try - http://antiguaguesthouse.blogspot.com/

I suggest you use this site to look for rentals in Antigua. http://www.inmoguatemala.com/inmo/busquedasip/Tipo/Alquileresapartamentos/Alquiler_Apartamentos_Guatemala.html To search for something in or near Antigua use the BUSCADOR and where it says DEPARTAMENTOS which means province or state click on SACATEPEQUEZ. And you should be able to stay away from being applied the gringo rates you'll get if you deal with real estate people in Antigua. Good luck to you. If you need a place to stay while you find an apartment or house, check-out - http://AntiguaGuesthouse.blogspot.com/

Check my presentation of San Pedro to see it for yourself... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR5Kg8iZ_jg San Pedro de la laguna Guatemala

To see Panajachel for yourselve check my presentaton... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGW2aspuQpo Panajachel panajachel is ok to visit, but not a place to think about living. little things like in the toilet, your paper does not go into it, it goes in a basket on the floor. that's done in all public places. it is a very cheap town however. get used to street vendors althoough not a problem. but don't eat at them, they don't care about sanitation. before you even think about going there check to see if the lake polution has been taken care of. all untreated sewerage flows into it. i was there, so i know what i am talking about. i was there 4 years ago when it became poluted so bad that one travel agency told people not to come. yes that was 4 years ago, it might have been cleared up temporarily but if the sewerage still flows into it the same thing will happen again

Thanks! That sounds simple enough. just go to the local SAT (IRS) office with your passport or DPI card and a copy of your electric bill (it does not have to be in your name, it is only for the home address). takes 2 minutes and however long you have to set and wait. January is not good because everybody and their brother is going to SAT this month to pay their road tax for their cars and motorcycles.

Bad time all around. It can be nuts. Come down a week later and relax... Gracias!

Note to any Canadians, your OAS benefits paid outside Canada will be cut off if you fail to file CRA tax returns by April 30 in any year, even though the deadline for expats is June 30. The rep you reached misspoke. You CAN receive SS benefits in Guatemala and I know many people who do and even get direct deposit in a Guatemalan bank on the first of every month. Get the answer from the horses mouth: http://www.ssa.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html