What Guatemala Actually Is: 17?

17.6 million people; largest population in Central America; Guatemala City metro 3 million at 4,900 ft

What Guatemala Actually Is: Most demographically Mayan country in hemisphere — 40%+ identify as indigenous; 22 Mayan languages still spoken?

Most demographically Mayan country in hemisphere — 40%+ identify as indigenous; 22 Mayan languages still spoken

Tourist entry: 90 days CA-4 combined (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua); 90-day extensions available

Pensionado Residency: $1,250/month foreign pension income — moderate threshold by regional standards

Healthcare meaningfully limited; weaker than Costa Rica/Panama; better than Honduras/Nicaragua at major centers

Private healthcare concentrated in Guatemala City: Hospital Universitario Esperanza, Centro Médico, Herrera Llerandi

Comfortable Antigua retirement: $1,800-2,800/month for a couple

Lake Atitlán comfortable retirement: $1,500-2,500/month varying by community

No foreign-ownership restrictions — direct ownership by foreign nationals permitted without corporate structure requirements

Process: Promesa de Compra-Venta → due diligence at Property Registry → Escritura Pública before Notario → registration

Territorial-source system: foreign-source income generally not taxed in Guatemala for non-residents and under conditions for residents

Annual property tax (IUSI): 0.2-0.9% of assessed value; assessed values often below market — very low effective rates

Name: Guatemala
Address: Guatemala

Honest guide to living in Guatemala for foreign buyers — Mayan cultural depth, Antigua UNESCO city, Lake Atitlán, real trade-offs.