By JimDeLago
An expat in Guatemala talks about why expats move to Lake Atitlan - from the eternal springtime weather to the low cost of living to the laid-back lifestyle. He also covers topics such as residency in Guatemala, proximity to quality healthcare, nightlife and schools in the Lake Atitlan area.
There are several reasons people relocate to the Lake Atitlan area:
As mentioned, it is low for the basics. If you can be happy on a Mayan diet, rice, beans, tortillas, a bit of chicken or pork, eggs, it will cost almost nothing (because the indigenous are a very poor people). If you have to have Campbell's soup or quality tuna fish, you will pay a premium over the prices back home. If you are not an electricity hog, your daily electric bill will be low. Water is not a typical bill as it depends on your source. Internet is pricey and if poor quality. Rents can be found for very cheap. Best to look at Facebook pages for the villages around the lake for a true sense. You can find rustic to luxury. The real estate agents will get good properties but at a high cost (but still lower than 1st World).
Not much in the way of "clubs" but in a short time you will begin meeting the expats. We tend to stand out from the indigenous Mayan population. We meet in pubs, restaurants, on the public transport (boats), and at markets. We stay connected through Facebook. There are MANY NGOs doing all types of good work around the lake. A little research will turn up something in your area of interest.
Don't know much about the schools. No kids. But I know there is a good basic grades school in Panajachel, LIFE School, where many expat kids attend (they take the boat to school). There is a Montessori style school in San Marcos La Laguna, Escuela Caracol. And there church-based schools in nearly every village (Catholic and Evangelical). They all cost money. There is not any real public education available in Guatemala.
Most of the staples are purchased in each villages fresh market. The Mayans are farmers and it is a joy to have access to fresh picked veggies and fruits. Panajachel has the widest selection from "stores". There is a Dispensa Familiar (Walmart owned) which is a decent all-things a basic grocery store would have. Chalo's and Sandra's both carry imported goods so you can always get that back home fix (bring money).
Getting around in Guatemala is like this (unless you have your own vehicle or want to payfor private transport). You take a famous chicken bus to get to the lake. Very dependable but not always the safest or more comfortable. Recommend private shuttle. In the villages you walk or you take a tuk-tuk for 5Q anywhere in town. They tend to run from dawn to late evening. To get from one village to another, you take a lancha (boat). Learn the fares and carry exact change. Gringos are easy marks for misquoted fares. In the end, they are a bargain at almost any price. They are dependable and mostly safe. They run from dawn to dusk.
The land of eternal springtime. Two seasons: rainy and dry. Rainy starts in April and ends in October. The rains tend to come late afternoon/early evening. The rest of the year is all sunshine. Temps range from a low of 50F (10C) to a rare high of 80F (26C).
This varies by village. Panajachel and San Pedro La Laguna have the most commercial nightlife. Other villages (smaller) have known. I preferred those places where there was none. I don't like the noise. Plus intoxicated gringos attract a criminal element.
Healthcare can be a challenge. There are some well trained doctors in the larger villages but their range of care is limited. There is a good private hospital in Santiago (Hospitalito Atitlan) but depending on what kinds of volunteer doctors are there during your emergency they may not be able to help. The public hospital in Solola I call the pre-morgue. It is a grim place I wouldn’t send an enemy. Best care is Guatemala City. A three hour, $100US, ambulance ride away or an expensive helicopter airlift.
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This is rustic living. There is incredible hiking around the lake and up the sides of volcanoes. Swimming in the beautiful lake. Walking to do your shopping. There are no golf courses or tennis clubs.
You are allowed to stay in country 90 days before you have to exit country and renew. El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua don't count. So most folks go to Mexico. It is also possible to pay someone to take your passport to the border and get you stamped out and back in. There are people who have lived here for many years doing exactly this. Residency is complex (like almost every country) but if you can qualify as a permanent resident (pensionista) you can obtain citizenship and passport in five years.
Petty theft (pickpockets and house burglary) is sadly too common. Sexual assault does also happen. Common sense and care can avoid both.
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Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Guide to Living in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Lake Atitlan
Guatemala Forum
Join our Guatemala forum to meet other people living in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Lake Atitlan.
Expats and global nomads in Lake Atitlan share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Guatemala, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more.
Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to Lake Atitlan: what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to find housing and more.
Expats share their experiences living in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and offer advice about meeting people, schools and more.
An expat in Lake Atitlan talks about the proximity to hospitals in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango, availability of prescription medicines, private health insurance and more.
An expat in Guatemala talks about why expats move to Lake Atitlan - from the eternal springtime weather to the low cost of living to the laid-back lifestyle. He also covers topics such as residency in Guatemala, proximity to quality healthcare, nightlife and schools in the Lake Atitlan area.
Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Expats, digital nomads and retirees share what it's like to live in Lake Atitlan and offer advice to newcomers.
What is it like to move to Guatemala in 2022? Members offer advice for newcomers.
Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Expats, digital nomads & retirees talk about what it's like living in Lake Atitlan.
Lake Atitlan Index
An index of all of our site's Lake Atitlan information.
Expats in Lake Atitlan offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Lake Atitlan.
Guatemala Forum
Talk with other digital nomads and expats in Guatemala on our Guatemala forum - meet people, get advice and help others.
Contribute
Help others in Guatemala by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Guatemala.
Expats in Guatemala offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Guatemala.
Expats share their favorite places to live in Guatemala - from Antigua to Lake Atitlan to Xela and more.
Expats are very forthcoming about the pros and cons of living in Guatemala. Pros include the spring-like weather, the low cost of living and the lifestyle. Cons include limited access to quality healthcare (especially outside of Guatemala City), gringo pricing, crime and the reality that the rainy season can be depressing.
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