10 Best Places for Families to Live in Guatemala

If you're dreaming about moving with your family to Guatemala and haven't decided where to live, here are some of the best places for international families to live in Guatemala.

Antigua

Antigua is a fantastic place for international families to live, offering a wide range of activities and facilities for children. The city is home to the Children's Museum (Museo de los Niños), which offers interactive exhibits and educational activities for kids. For outdoor fun, families can visit the Central Park (Parque Central), a beautiful green space perfect for picnics and play. The city also boasts the La Aurora Zoo, which is a great place for children to learn about wildlife. For athletic facilities, Antigua offers the Antigua Sports Club, which has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and offers various sports classes for children. Additionally, the city has several gyms that welcome families, such as CrossFit Antigua. For those interested in football, there's the Antigua GFC Youth Academy, which provides training for kids. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and family-friendly amenities, Antigua, Guatemala is an ideal place for international families to settle.

Guatemala City

Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala, is a vibrant and dynamic city that offers a plethora of activities and facilities for international families. The city is home to the Children's Museum (Museo de los Niños), which provides a variety of interactive exhibits and educational activities for children. For outdoor recreation, families can visit the La Aurora Zoo, a good place for children to learn about animals and nature. The city also boasts several beautiful parks, such as the Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico), which is a great place for picnics and outdoor play. For sports enthusiasts, Guatemala City offers the Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores, a large stadium with a swimming pool and athletic facilities that welcome families. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Club Deportivo Comunicaciones, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the city has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as Sporta, a comprehensive sports complex with facilities for tennis, swimming, and gymnastics. With its rich cultural heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, Guatemala City is an excellent place for international families to live.

Quetzaltenango

Quetzaltenango, often known as Xela, is a good place for international families to live in Guatemala. The city is home to the Natural History Museum (Museo de Historia Natural), which offers educational activities for children, making learning fun and interactive. For outdoor recreation, families can visit the Parque Centro América, a beautiful park perfect for picnics and outdoor play. The city also boasts the Xocomil Water Park, a popular destination for families looking for a fun day out. For sports facilities, Quetzaltenango offers the Estadio Mario Camposeco, a large stadium with a football pitch and athletic facilities that welcome families. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Xela Kids Soccer Club, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the city has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as the Xela Gym, a comprehensive sports complex with facilities for various sports. With its rich Mayan heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, Quetzaltenango is an excellent place for international families to live.

"The people's willingness to SMILE. Old people who are still active and friendly. The busy cultural norm of walking. The noise of vehicles can be annoying to me as its constant... from morning until night....," said one expat living in Quetzaltenango.

Panajachel

Panajachel, is a delightful destination for international families seeking a vibrant and welcoming community. The town is home to the Casa Cakchiquel, a cultural center that offers educational activities for children, making learning about the local culture both fun and engaging. For outdoor recreation, families can visit the Reserva Natural Atitlán, a beautiful nature reserve with butterfly gardens and monkey habitats, perfect for picnics and outdoor exploration. The town also boasts the Atitlán Nature Reserve, a popular destination for families looking for adventure with its zip-line tours and hiking trails. For sports facilities, Panajachel offers the Club Azul, a sports club with a swimming pool and athletic facilities that welcome families. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Panajachel Football Club, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the town has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as the Panajachel Gym, a comprehensive sports complex with facilities for various sports. With its rich Mayan heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, Panajachel is a good place for international families to live.

"People are pretty much having a great time having a good life. Not too many expat with families," commented an expat living in Panajachel.

Flores

Flores, is a charming island town that offers a welcoming environment for international families. The town is home to the Dino Park, a unique dinosaur-themed park that offers educational activities for children, making learning about prehistoric creatures both fun and engaging. For outdoor recreation, families can visit the Petencito Zoo, a delightful zoo that houses a variety of local wildlife, perfect for picnics and outdoor exploration. The town also boasts the Tayazal Archaeological Site, a popular destination for families looking for adventure with its ancient Mayan ruins and hiking trails. For sports facilities, Flores offers the Mundo Maya International Mall, which has a bowling alley and game arcade that welcome families. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Flores Football Club, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the town has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as the Flores Gym, a comprehensive sports complex with facilities for various sports. With its rich Mayan heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, Flores is an excellent place for international families to live.

San Pedro La Laguna

San Pedro La Laguna, located on the shores of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, is a good place for international families to live. The town is home to the Tz'unun'Ya' Indigenous Women's Cooperative, which offers educational activities for children, making learning about local culture and traditions both fun and engaging. For outdoor recreation, families can visit the Cerro de Oro, a beautiful natural area perfect for hiking and picnicking. The town also boasts the Indian Nose, a popular destination for families looking for adventure with its hiking trails and stunning sunrise views. For sports facilities, San Pedro La Laguna offers the San Pedro Volcano, a natural athletic facility that welcomes families for hiking and exploration. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the San Pedro La Laguna Football Club, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the town has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as the San Pedro La Laguna Gym, a comprehensive sports complex with facilities for various sports. With its rich Mayan heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, San Pedro La Laguna is an excellent place for international families to live.

"If anything the rebelliousness towards their corrupt government and their acceptance of a day to day optimism of life. I found that the poorest of people generally seemed to be the happiest," said one expat living in San Pedro La Laguna.

Coban

Coban, is a vibrant city that offers a welcoming environment for international families. The city is home to the Vivero Verapaz, a botanical garden that offers educational activities for children, making learning about local flora and fauna both fun and engaging. For outdoor recreation, families can visit the Parque Nacional Las Victorias, a beautiful national park perfect for picnics and outdoor exploration. The city also boasts the Grutas del Rey Marcos, a popular destination for families looking for adventure with its cave exploration and hiking trails. For sports facilities, Coban offers the Complejo Deportivo Verapaz, a sports complex with a swimming pool and athletic facilities that welcome families. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Coban Imperial Football Club, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the city has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as the Gym Body Extreme, a comprehensive sports complex with facilities for various sports. With its rich Mayan heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, Coban is a great place for international families to live.

Livingston

Livingston, is a vibrant town that offers a welcoming environment for international families. The town is home to the Siete Altares, a natural reserve that offers educational activities for children, making learning about local ecology both fun and engaging. For outdoor recreation, families can visit Playa Blanca, a beautiful white sand beach perfect for picnics and water activities. The town also boasts the Rio Dulce, a popular destination for families looking for adventure with its boat tours and wildlife spotting. For sports facilities, Livingston offers the Municipal Stadium, a sports complex with a football field that welcomes families. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Livingston Football Club, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the town has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as the Livingston Gym, a comprehensive sports complex with facilities for various sports. With its rich Garifuna heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, Livingston is a good place for international families to live.

San Marcos La Laguna

San Marcos La Laguna, nestled on the shores of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, is a wonderful place for international families to settle. The village is home to the La Cambalacha, a community arts and recycling center that offers educational activities for children, making learning about sustainability and creativity both fun and engaging. For outdoor recreation, families can visit the Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve, a beautiful natural area perfect for hiking and swimming. The village also boasts the Yoga Forest, a popular destination for families looking for adventure with its yoga classes and wellness retreats. For sports facilities, San Marcos La Laguna offers the Lake Atitlán, a natural aquatic facility that welcomes families for swimming and kayaking. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the San Marcos La Laguna Football Club, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the village has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as the San Marcos Holistic Cottage, a comprehensive wellness center with facilities for various sports. With its rich Mayan heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, San Marcos La Laguna is a great place for international families to live.

Solola

Solola, is a charming city that provides a welcoming environment for international families. The city is home to the Museo de Arqueología y Etnología, a museum that offers educational activities for children, making learning about local history and culture both fun and engaging. For outdoor recreation, families can visit the Reserva Natural Atitlán, a beautiful nature reserve perfect for hiking and bird watching. The city also boasts the Lake Atitlán, a popular destination for families looking for adventure with its boat tours and water activities. For sports facilities, Solola offers the Municipal Stadium, a sports complex with a football field that welcomes families. There are also several sports clubs that cater to children, such as the Solola Football Club, which offers football training for kids. Additionally, the city has numerous gyms that are family-friendly, such as the Solola Gym, a comprehensive sports complex with facilities for various sports. With its rich Mayan heritage, diverse recreational opportunities, and family-friendly amenities, Solola is a great place for international families to live.