I’ve seen various posts about real estate in different cities around the world, and I thought I’d share my experience in Guatemala.
Guatemala has a unique market. It’s a small country with only a few desirable areas for expats. While some foreigners might live very modestly, such as a Spanish girl in my village who bought a simple one-bed hut for $5,000 and lives on $300 a month, most expats aim for a better standard of living. Generally, you’ll find that property prices in Guatemala can be similar to or even higher than those in low-cost areas of the U.S. or Europe. However, homes here are more robust (thanks to construction improvements post the big earthquake of 1976) and come loaded with amenities. A 2,000 sqft house is considered small and typically includes features like private baths, walk-in closets, maid quarters, laundry rooms, studies, and family rooms.
**What Does $250,000 Buy in Guatemala?**
In prime areas of Guatemala City or Antigua, $250,000 doesn’t go very far. You might get a small 2-bedroom apartment around 1,500 sqft, which also includes parking and maid quarters. For example, a 1,600 sqft apartment with two parking spots in a nice, safe area. You could also consider my house, which has three units: two brand-new ones with private rooms and bathrooms, plus a thatch unit with two smaller bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. It also features 30 meters of private beach on Lake Petén Itzá.
**What Does $500,000 Buy in Guatemala?**
In Guatemala City, half a million dollars can get you a decent house in a gated community with 3-4 bedrooms or a high-end penthouse with amenities like a gym, swimming pool, and social areas. For example, a 2,300 sqft apartment costing $480,000 comes with access to a rooftop swimming pool, a gym, and gardens, though you’ll pay about $400 a month in maintenance fees. For $475,000 in Antigua Guatemala, you could get a colonial-style home (though not a genuine colonial), while $495,000 by Lake Atitlán buys you a private cove with a 3-bedroom house built in 2011. The catch? You can only reach it by boat.
**What Does $750,000 Buy in Guatemala?**
With $750,000, you could live in a 7,000 sqft house in one of the most exclusive gated communities in Guatemala City, such as La Cañada, close to embassies and high-end stores. Alternatively, you could get a smaller but well-located house in the center of the colonial town of Antigua, which means you can walk everywhere.
**What Does $1,000,000 Buy in Guatemala?**
A million dollars can buy you a modern 4-bedroom house with around 6,000 sqft and stunning city views, or a lavish 10,000 sqft beach house with a water slide on the Pacific coast. You could also opt for a colonial-style home near Antigua in a gated community. If you’re in this price range, you might prefer to build your own place, which could make it harder to sell. I’ve seen $1m+ homes renting for as little as $2,000 a month, so purchasing might not generate high rental yields. Renting might be a better way to experience the property for less than a mortgage would cost.
I had more details about Guatemalan real estate, but this post is already lengthy, so I’ll save that for next week. Stay tuned!
What do you get for those prices where you live? Did you expect Guatemalan real estate to be this expensive?