Living at Lake Atitlán
Moving here long-term, working remotely, raising a family, or just staying through dry season -- this is the practical guide. Real costs, real options, real tradeoffs. Honest about what works and what doesn't, sourced from people who actually live here.
Start here
The four questions every new arrival asks first.
Tourist 90, CA-4, temporary, permanent -- the real options
Read →Real per-month numbers -- single, couple, family
Read →What it costs, where to look, what foreigners can own
Read →Doctors, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals, insurance
Read →Daily life topics
Each one its own page, current numbers, real reviews.
Best schools by town, format, price
Speeds by town, water, power, gas, coworking
Local accounts, cards, wires, taxes
Coworking, internet, power-cut survival
Expat groups, meet-ups, local integration
Schools, pediatricians, parks, families with kids
Importing a car, motorcycle, license, registration
NGOs and community projects worth your time
Pick a town
Different towns suit different lifestyles. Pana for infrastructure. San Marcos for community. San Pedro for affordability. Jaibalito for quiet. Santa Cruz for diving. We tell you which fits which.
traditional · legendary
secluded · tranquil
gateway · market
ceramics · traditional
artisan · textiles
coffee-culture · volcano-hiking
wellness · yoga
traditional · industrious
backpacker · spanish-schools
painted-village · fishing
diving · social-hostels
tzutujil · cultural-depth
highland-market · kaqchikel
permaculture · sustainable