Guatemala
High‑altitude volcanoes, colonial plazas and vibrant textiles make Guatemala a living tapestry of Maya and Spanish legacies.
Overview
Guatemala’s Spanish‑language cities, from bustling Guatemala City to the UNESCO‑listed charm of Antigua, sit amid towering volcanoes and highland lakes. Indigenous Maya languages and traditional weaving coexist with colonial architecture, offering a rich cultural dialogue across bustling markets and serene mountain villages.
At a glance
Languages
- Spanish(Official)
- Garifuna(Recognized)
- Xinca(Recognized)
Population17,263,239
CurrencyGuatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
1 GTQ = 0.1310 USD
1 USD = 7.6309 GTQ
Popular places
Guatemala
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of Life IndexStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
Healthcare IndexGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexModerateSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Traffic IndexHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Business Residence, Permanent Residency, Retirement, and 4 more.
Business Residence
- Business Visa
Visa for foreign nationals travelling individually or as representatives of foreign for-profit entities for lawful business purposes.
- 180 days, renewable
Permanent Residency
- Permanent Residence after Temporary Residence
Permanent residence route for foreign nationals who have held temporary residence in Guatemala continuously for five years or more.
- Path to residency
Retirement
- Permanent Residence for Rentistas or Pensionados
Permanent residence route for foreign nationals with stable foreign pension, retirement, rental, or similar income.
Student
Languages
- Spanish(Official)
- Garifuna(Recognized)
- Xinca(Recognized)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Guatemala.
Canada
Exercise a high degree of caution
Advisory effective · Verified
Exercise a high degree of caution in Guatemala due to high levels of crime roadblocks and demonstrations that occur throughout the country.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Advisory effective · Verified
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing
- to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenango
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these areas.
United States
Level 3Reconsider Travel
Advisory effective
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