The Short Version
I grew up between Huehuetenango and Antigua Guatemala. Moved to the US for work – lived in the Virginia/Maryland area (Falls Church, McLean, Alexandria, Frederick). Eventually came back home to Guatemala, where I now work remotely in tech from the Antigua area.
Most content about Guatemala online is written by American expats who visited for a few months. This site is different – it’s built by someone who grew up here, knows the mercados, the tramites, the real costs, and the neighborhoods from the inside.
Why This Site Exists
I kept seeing the same pattern: someone in a Facebook group asks “Is Guatemala safe?” or “How much does it cost to live in Antigua?” and gets answers from people who visited for two weeks. The scare-mongers say “don’t go.” The rose-tinted bloggers say “everything is magical and cheap.” Neither is useful if you’re actually trying to make a life here.
Guatemala Life exists because the resource I wanted to share with friends didn’t exist – an interactive map with real data you can explore yourself. So I built it – with real data from government sources like our exchange rates from Banguat, INE, and MAGA, actual prices I see at the market, and the local context that only comes from growing up here. For the millions in the diaspora sending money home, I built a remittance comparison tool because every quetzal matters.
What I Actually Know
This isn’t a hobby blog from a passing visitor. Here’s what I bring to the table:
Local food knowledge. I grew up eating in mercados and comedores across Guatemala. I know the difference between a Q25 almuerzo in Huehuetenango and a Q200 dinner in Zona 10. I’ve reviewed dozens of restaurants across the country on Google Maps – from street chicharrones in Antigua to ramen shops and pizzerias.
Government tramites. I’ve navigated the NIT process, DPI renewals, and residency paperwork. I can read the Spanish-only government websites that English guides can’t access. When I write about tramites, it’s because I’ve done them myself or helped friends through them.
Real pricing. I understand the canasta basica, I know mercado prices vs supermarket markup, and I know the difference between factura and consumidor final pricing. When blog posts claim you need $2,500/month to live in Guatemala, I know that’s wrong because I live here.
Multiple departments. I’ve lived in Huehuetenango (rural highlands) and Sacatepequez (Antigua area). These are completely different Guatemala experiences – different costs, different safety profiles, different infrastructure. Most guides only cover Antigua or Lake Atitlan.
Bilingual access. Native Spanish speaker. Every government source, every local forum, every price list that’s only in Spanish – I can access and verify it directly. Most English-language Guatemala sites are working from secondhand translations.
Tech infrastructure. I work remotely in tech. I’ve tested every ISP option available in my area – you can read the results in our internet guide – I have solar panels on my roof, and I build with real data. When I write about internet speeds or remote work viability, it’s from daily experience, not a speed test I ran once at a cafe. For the full picture on staying safe, check our safety guide with real crime data.
Get in Touch
Have a question about Guatemala? Something I got wrong? Want to collaborate?
Email me: stu@livinginguatemala.com
Want to work with me on data automation, scraping, or building something like this? Check out my freelance portfolio.
