Travel, living and working in Guatemala - WorldSupporter Theme
Travel, living and working in Guatemala
Guatemala, land of Maya people, mysterious traditions and amazing landscapes.
Tikal, the Mayan center, in the jungle full of howler monkeys, together with the very colorful Guatemalan population, is the main attraction. Antigua is the place where many Spanish courses are given and where it is pleasant to stay. Chichi has something magical, Flores, Livingston, Xela (Quetzaltenango) and Panajachel (with the famous Atitlán crater lake) complete the tour.
Table of content
- Travel, living and working in Guatemala
- Content and contributions by WorldSupporters related to Guatemala
- Study Spanish in Guatemala
- Staying safe en insured in Guatemala
- Emigration and living abroad checklist
Guatemala
Travel to Guatemala to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work, live as a digital nomad or settle as an emigrant
Backpacking in Guatemala
- Guatemala is often visited by backpackers as part of a longer Central/South America trip.
- Characteristics: Mayans, many traveling nationalities, nature, taking care of safety.
Traveling in Guatemala
- A trip through Guatemala is a journey through traditions of the Mayan culture, past and present. With high mountains and rainforest, in which a half-hidden Mayan city suddenly appears.
- Spotting cities: Antigua, Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango, Lago de Atitlan (Panajachel), Tikal
- nimal spotting: Guatemala is very high on the biodiversity rankings: jaguars, pumas, lizards, iguanas, turtles, crocodiles, toucans... and the extremely well-hidden Quetzal.
Study in Guatemala
- Studies: in principle, all subjects and forms of education can be found. Studies such as archaeology, architecture, anthropology, biology, psychology and philosophy predominate.
- Study cities: in Guatemala City you will find few - but good - public universities and several private educational institutions. Antigua is the city in Central America for Spanish language courses.
- Characteristics: education is of increasingly better quality; many opportunities for studies of indigenous cultures.
Internship in Guatemala
- Internships: Internships can be found in all sectors of society. The tourism sector has the most supply. Certainly also opportunities around biodiversity, welfare, agriculture, health care and education.
- Internship cities: Guatemala City, Antigua, Quetzaltenango.
- Characteristics: the work culture in general is also very 'mañana', slow down your pace and make sure you have learned Spanish beforehand.
Do volunteer work in Guatemala
- Volunteer projects: especially in the social sectors and nature management.
- Animal projects: protection of sea turtles, parrots, howler monkeys, jaguars, anti-poaching programs
- Features: volunteer work possible from 1 or 2 weeks to several months.
Working in Guatemala
- Jobs: temporary work can mainly be found in the catering and tourism sectors, such as at diving schools and in the travel sector. Also (limited) options in healthcare, call center and agriculture/nature conservation.
- Characteristics: take into account the mañana work culture, ensure good basic knowledge of Spanish and be prepared to work for board and lodging.
Working as a digital nomad in Guatemala
- Favorite cities: UNESCO top location Anitgua -of course-, with good co-working spaces and a growing digital nomad community. Lake Atitlan (including Panajachel) is a good 'escape' if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Antigua.
- Features: take into account intermittent WiFi, frequently slow internet and varying 'value for money'. Digital nomad accommodation in particular can sometimes be more expensive than you would expect from this relatively cheap country.
Living in Guatemala
- Language: Spanish is really the basis. English is spoken in the better known tourist towns and locations, especially in Antigua. In the smaller, remote villages in the high mountains you will encounter one of the many indigenous languages.
- Features: You will certainly encounter the special Mayan atmosphere, enormous hospitality and mañana mentality. As long as you keep yourself informed of local safety warnings (and act on them!), you can live fine in the larger cities. It is pleasant to live in the better neighborhoods of Guatemala City if you work downtown. Cheaper than most other countries in Central America and better developed than, for example, Honduras or El Salvador.
SELECTED
Guatemala: content and contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle
SPOTLIGHT
Study Spanish in Guatemala
Study Spanish in Guatemala
Ofcourse, when travelling around in Guatemala and Central America, a basic knowledge of Spanish is 'a must' to connect with local Guatemaltecos. Guatemala has several hotspots if you decide to slow down and learn some Spanish -or improve your existing knowledge.
Main Study Locations
- Antigua: thé study-Spanish-location in Guatemala, with a lot of larger and smaller language institutions. Pro: lot of options - lots of others students - relaxed smaller city. Con: lots of other students - bit more expensive.
- Quetzaltenango ('Xela'): better option if you really want to connect with Guatemaltecos - bit less expensive than Antigua
- San Pedro La Laguna: study Spanish at the Lago de Atitlan (!) - cheaper
- Guatemala City: if you want to study in a more 'business' like environment - fewer young students (I studied Spanish at IGA)
- Petén: study Spanish in the historical and environmental hotspot of Guatemala - combine with eco-volunteering
Must do's when studying Spanish in Guatemala
- follow a sala class, cooking class (ceviche!) or cultural lecture
- combine your language course with volunteering in one of many social or eco projects; Antigua, Quetzaltenango and Petén region have a lot to offer - take your time to really get into the details of your project and think about your competencies and possible added value before choosing a project
- combine course locations: search for a language school with more than one location - start on a higher level on a new location
Share your experiences
Did you study Spanish in Guatemala?
- At which location and language school? What experiences did you have?
- What activities did you join after classes?
Read more
- (in Dutch) Check JoHo's page Spaans leren in het buitenland
Central AmericaSPOTLIGHT NL
Guatemala: blogs en bijdragen van WorldSupporters - Bundel
Guatemala: blogs en bijdragen van WorldSupporters - Bundel
Blogs en bijdragen van WorldSupporters over Guatemala
EXPLAINED
Travel insurances and insurances for long term abroad - WorldSupporter Theme
Travel insurances and insurances for long term abroad - WorldSupporter Theme
Insurances for backpacking, living, traveling, studying, volunteering and working abroad
Fair, special and sustainable insurances
Emigration and living abroad checklist for legal and insurance matters
Emigration and living abroad checklist for legal and insurance matters
1. Make use of a legal advisor
- A scan of your juridical status and the possible risks abroad may be advisable.
- Check the consequences for inheritance tax, family law, succession rights and matrimonial properties.
- Possibly get a review of your new international contract (mind the differences in labour law).
- Check our blog 'How do you assess the reliability of an international insurer?' (in Dutch)
2. Look into the visa requirements & start the visa procedure
- Expand the basic inventory that you made in the orientation phase.
- Use online communities and forums, check recent experiences from people who requested the visa and have the same nationality as you do. Double check their advice.
- Check for everyone if they need a work permit or residence permit, if they meet the requirements for that and which documents are necessary.
- Some countries have extra requirements, such as medical clearances or police certificates.
- Arrange a definitive contract or proof of employment with your future employer.
- Contact the consulate or embassy before you emigrate and (double) check the current state of (visa) affairs.
- Download all required documents and read the notices.
- Plan way ahead, visa procedures can take long, up to several years (be flexible in purchasing/selling housing, finding temporary housing etc.).
- Consider using a visa service company, especially for popular emigration countries.
3. Check which documents you need to legalize
- Find out if your new country has a treaty with your native country.
- Find out which documents need translation and into which language.
- Find out which documents you need to legalize.
- Provide birth certificates, marriage certificates, evidence of (special) (work) skills, diplomas, recommendation letters.
- Start on time.
4. Check your insurance policies and ask for advice
- Create an overview of your current policies, contract terms, contact information.
- Ask about the consequences of your emigration with regards to current insurance policies and make sure that you terminate them in time.
- Make sure that you terminate home insurances, property insurances, car insurances etc. at the correct time: not too early (not insured), not too late (double costs).
- Read up on (international) health insurances. Find orientation on www.expatinsurances.org.
- Get information from an insurance expert about:
- Ending your current health insurance.
- Whether your new country has treaties with your home country.
- Whether to get local insurance or not.
- Whether the insurance provided by your local employer provides enough coverage.
- Getting international health insurance.
- Start on time, mindful of how long medical checks can take to complete.
4. How to prepare documents?
- Check the validity of all passports. Or arrange passports for family members with a different kind of ID.
- Also bring: passport photos, drivers licenses (possibly a temporary international driver's license), birth certificates, marriage certificates, last wills, documents on euthanasia, police certificates, divorce papers, death certificates (if your previous partner died), recommendation letters, diplomas, resume/CV, medical files, evidences of being creditworthy, school files, insurance papers, student ID's, medicine recipes and proof of the vaccinations you had.
- Make an easy-to-find archive for every family member with (copies of) personal documents.
- Make sure you know about recent developments concerning double nationalities and find out how to extend your passport in your new home country.
- Consider using an online/digital safe or cloud functionality and give access to your lawyer or someone you trust.
- Gather receipts of the properties you take with you (proof you own them already, to avoid breaking import laws).
Add new contribution