How much money do I need to move to Guatemala?

For a comfortable start in Antigua: $3,000–$5,000 covers 2 months rent deposit, first month expenses, Spanish classes, and setup costs. For Guatemala City: $4,000–$7,000 to cover deposits on a secure apartment and initial expenses. If pursuing residency, add $1,000–$2,000 for legal fees and document processing.

Should I sell everything or ship my belongings?

Most expats recommend selling large items and shipping only sentimental and essential items. Guatemala has affordable furniture stores and markets. The cost of shipping a container ($3,000–$6,000) plus customs fees often exceeds the cost of replacing everything locally. The exception is electronics, which are more expensive in Guatemala.

Is it better to start in Antigua or Guatemala City?

Most newcomers start in Antigua — it's smaller, walkable, has a welcoming expat community, and feels less overwhelming. It's an ideal base for your first month while you explore. Guatemala City offers better infrastructure and faster internet but requires more local knowledge to navigate safely. Many expats settle in Antigua and use Guatemala City for specific needs (hospitals, airport, shopping).

Do I need vaccinations for Guatemala?

The CDC recommends: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus). Hepatitis B and Rabies are recommended for longer stays. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended only for lowland/jungle areas (Petén, Caribbean coast) — not needed for Antigua, Guatemala City, or Lake Atitlán. Yellow Fever vaccination is required only if arriving from an endemic country.

Can I bring my pet to Guatemala?

Yes — Guatemala accepts dogs and cats with a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian (issued within 14 days of travel) and proof of current rabies vaccination. No quarantine is required. Airlines vary in their pet policies — check your specific carrier. Most Antigua landlords allow pets, though some Guatemala City apartments have restrictions.

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🇬🇹 Guatemala

Moving Guide

Moving to Guatemala is simpler than most Latin American relocations. The low income requirement for residency, affordable setup costs, and compact size of the key expat cities mean you can be settled within 2–4 weeks.

2–4 weeks

Setup Time

To settle in comfortably

2–4 months

Residency Processing

Pensionado/rentista

$3,000–$5,000

First Month Budget

Including deposits

$500–$1,500

Immigration Lawyer

Highly recommended

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Guatemala City 🏛️Antigua Guatemala

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Key Takeaways

Arrive on a tourist visa (90 days) — no advance application needed for US, Canadian, EU, UK citizens
Day 1: Arrive at La Aurora (GUA), get SIM card at airport, shuttle/Uber to your accommodation
✓ Passport valid for 6+ months from arrival date
International shipping (20ft container from US): $3,000–$6,000 — not worth it for most expats

Planning Your Move — Before You Go

Guatemala is one of the easier countries to relocate to in Latin America. The tourist visa gives you 90 days (extendable to 180) to explore and decide before committing to residency. Most expats recommend arriving on a tourist visa, spending 2–4 weeks exploring Antigua, Guatemala City, and Lake Atitlán, and then making your decision about where to settle.

Arrive on a tourist visa (90 days) — no advance application needed for US, Canadian, EU, UK citizens
Book 2–4 weeks of temporary accommodation (Airbnb, hostel, or short-term rental)
Explore Antigua, Guatemala City, and Lake Atitlán before committing to a location
Start gathering apostilled documents (income proof, criminal background check, birth certificate) before departure
Research immigration lawyers — recommendation from the expat community is the best way to find one
Pack light: most household goods are available and cheap in Guatemala — don't ship furniture
Get a Tigo or Claro SIM card immediately on arrival at the airport ($3–$5, data plans from $10/month)

Your First Week in Guatemala

The first week is about getting oriented, setting up basics, and starting to feel at home. Guatemala City's airport (GUA) is the main entry point. Most expats heading to Antigua arrange a shuttle or Uber directly from the airport (45 minutes, $25–$35).

Day 1: Arrive at La Aurora (GUA), get SIM card at airport, shuttle/Uber to your accommodation
Day 1–2: Get cash from ATM (Quetzales), explore your neighborhood, stock up on basics
Day 3–5: Open a local phone plan, set up mobile banking/Wise, find your local market
Week 1: Start apartment hunting if staying long-term — visit properties in person
Week 1–2: Sign up for Spanish classes if needed — schools in Antigua can start you same-day
Week 2: Contact an immigration lawyer if pursuing residency
Ongoing: Build your expat network — Facebook groups, coworking spaces, language school, and local cafés are the social hubs

Pre-Departure Checklist

Before leaving your home country, prepare these essentials. Having documents ready before arrival saves weeks of frustration — apostille processing in particular takes time and cannot be done from Guatemala.

✓ Passport valid for 6+ months from arrival date
✓ Criminal background check from your country of citizenship (apostilled)
✓ Birth certificate (apostilled) — needed for residency applications
✓ Income documentation: 3–6 months bank statements, pension letters, or investment statements
✓ International health insurance active from day 1 (SafetyWing, Cigna, or equivalent)
✓ Digital copies of all documents stored in cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox)
✓ 2–3 months living expenses accessible in USD ($3,000–$6,000)
✓ International debit card with no/low foreign transaction fees (Wise, Charles Schwab, Revolut)
✓ VPN subscription — useful for accessing home-country streaming and banking
✓ Temporary accommodation booked for first 2–4 weeks

Shipping & What to Bring

The general advice for Guatemala: don't ship much. Most household goods, furniture, and clothing are available locally at reasonable prices. Electronics and specific medications are the main things worth bringing from home. Shipping is expensive, slow, and customs clearance can be complicated.

International shipping (20ft container from US): $3,000–$6,000 — not worth it for most expats
Air freight: $5–$15/kg — only for essential items
Customs clearance: import duties of 10–15% apply; bureaucratic process requiring a customs broker
What to bring: laptop, electronics, specific medications, professional clothing, favorite personal items
What to buy locally: furniture (cheap), kitchenware, bedding, basic clothing, cleaning supplies
Electronics: bring your own — laptops and phones are more expensive in Guatemala than in the US
Power: Guatemala uses 120V/60Hz — same as the US; Type A and B outlets (same as US plugs)

FAQs