In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Cost of Living in Antigua, Guatemala

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Antigua is an exciting, eclectic, international Colonial city in Guatemala and it overflows with charm, appealing restaurants, and cafes. One can choose to live in town or in one of the outside villages, but the pull to enter "the city" is a pleasant one.

If you have wondered what the costs for living here might be, below is a sample list of commonly purchased items to give you an idea of pricing. Remember, one can always spend more and one can always spend less. This list is by no means exhaustive and is based on our experiences. 

At the time this list was published, the Quetzal is about 8 =$1USD. It tends to remain very stable.

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Entertainment, dining, wine

Wine, Chilean Cabernet, $ 3.65

Wine, Chardonnay, $3.75

Drinks in upscale joint 2 for $8.00

Bacardi rum $5.88 liter

Gallo beer $2.50 liter

Cappuccino, fresh roasted and ground Guatemalan coffee, $1.50

Full plate, fresh filet, steak, chicken with vegetables, grilled potatoes, garlic bread and juice $3.75 - $6.25

Lunch Special at JC (Juan Caramelo) 2x1 Ceviche, personal pizza, pitcher of fruit juice + tip $25

Various Platos Tipicos (Chili Rellenos, Lomo Relleno, grilled chicken, pork or beef)  from local vendors  $2.50 - $3.75

Remarkable Tuna Ceviche, 2x1 at Juan Caramelo

A word about Entertainment and Dining

This is an area of living where virtually the sky is the limit to what one might spend. Our list above is very limited because with our restaurant experience, we tend to eat grandly at home. There is an abundance of fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood and meat in Guatemala and the open markets are an adventure in color and variety. There are also "superstores" available and boutique shops that offer imported meats, cheeses, and freshly baked breads and cakes.

Restaurants available in Antigua range from French, Italian, Vegetarian, Local, simple cafes, Sports Bars, Pizza, Asian, German, Sushi, Gourmet, Spanish, Indian and more. One can spend $2.50 for a full plate of grilled meat or chicken with side dishes to hundreds of USD for a gourmet evening out complete with appetizers, wines, amazing desserts and live music.

Maid, cleaning supplies, Sanitary bath

Maid $200.00 per month Monday – Friday Cleans, laundry, shops, cooks

Bar soap $0.50 to $1.25 each

Bleach, $0.75 liter, $2.88 for 3.785 ml

Powder laundry soap, 1 kilo $2.50

Roll Scott paper towels $1

Trash bags, 30 gallon, $0.17 each

Trash bags, 8 gallon, $1.25 for 10Pack of 2 AAA batteries $1.16

Package of 24 Raid mosquito coils $1.94

Aleve tablet, $0.15 each

Liquid dish soap, 610 ml $1.25

Hydrogen peroxide  $0.31

Pantene Shampoo, 400ml  $3.75

4 rolls toilet tissue $3

Meat, vegetables, fruit, milk, water 

Whole Roasted Chicken  $6.50 - $8.12

Pork chops 8 for $5.00 USD. $2.50 per pound

Pork tenderloin $2.73 pound

NY steak $3 pound

Filets $5 a pound

Fresh strawberries 2lbs for $0.70 cents

Fresh baked pastries from $0.50- $1 each

Refried beans can $1.20

Milk quart $1.63. to $1.88

Swiss cheese  $6.63 lb.

Avocadoes $0.25 each

Corn Flakes, large box $3

Ancient Church in Antigua, Guatemala

Galafon of water (20 liters) delivered to house $1.25 -  $1.90 each

Prunes, seedless,  $3.75 pound

Raisins  $1.75 pound

Bananas $1.50 pound

Tomatoes $0.38 pound

Chicken stock $2.13 pound

Fresh cut vegetables for soup, small bag, $0.13 each

3 fresh (frozen) strawberries on a stick, dipped in chocolate $0.13 each           

Caesar dressing 16 ounces, $2.88

Snickers bar $1

Green Tea, 20 bags,  $1.34

Yoplait yogurt, 1 kilo $3.75

Ground flax seeds, 225 grams $1.50

Coffee, freshly roasted and ground, $5.63-$8.32 pound

Tomatoes, 1 lb $0.25

Onions 1 lb. $0.44

Spaghetti Noodles $0.38 pkg.

Pineapple $1.25 each

Papaya $1.25 each

A word about housing and transport

Fortunately for us, we were able to secure a house sit in a small village just outside of Antigua. This has made all the difference for long term affordability in staying here. On our previous visits, we arranged for a monthly/weekly rate in our hotel in the center of the city which came to $21-$25 a night. There are houses or rooms for rent on notice boards at various prices, lots of vacation rentals and one's choice of hotels in a variety of price ranges.

As you know, we prefer public transport in these exotic locations for many reasons. It is affordable and ever present. Whether you choose a taxi for a few Dollars or a tuk-tuk, combi or a public bus for pennies, one can certainly get around here without the need for a car. Food can be delivered to your home fresh from the markets (the maid purchases and brings it back for you) or delivered from restaurants. One can hire a private driver on retainer or for special occasions like a ride to the airport or a tour to another town or city.

North Americans tend to want their own vehicles which brings a different dimension to the experience.

Utilities

Trash pickup, twice weekly, $5 month

Electricity, 3 Bedroom, 2 bath home with washing machine, $52 month

25 lbs. propane delivered to the house $11.75

Transport

Taxi to/from town $3.75

Tuk tuk from town $2.00

Bus to from town $.20 cents

Changing oil in your car, $5

The presence of Volcan Agua is imposing in Antigua, and surrounding villages

Miscellaeous

Immersion heater $2.50

Firewood a full load (tall as a man and 2 feet wide), delivered to the house is $6.25 – we have two fireplaces in our house sit in Antigua

Cell phone battery $8.75

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A word about medical care

One's first lines of defense for medical care here in Guatemala are the farmacias and the clinics. Farmacias are everywhere and clinics are dotted here and there around town. A private hospital, Hermano Pedro, is located right behind the bus station. There is also a government run Central de Salud right on the edge of town. For larger and more profound problems one must go to Guatemala City.

That being said, a strip of 10, 500mg Amoxicillina is $1.25 and can be purchased without a prescription, right over the counter in a farmacia.

For those who might be interested, here are some links to stories about Billy's medical emergency with prices listed for services received. We traveled by cab late in the evening into the capitol city of Guatemala.

Billy Personally Tests Medical Tourism in Guatemala

Billy's Medical Tourism Follow Up, Our Readers' Q & A 

To watch an insightful and instructive video on Guatemala Medical Travel with interviews of both Doctors and Patients, Click here

For more stories, photos and information about Antigua, click here

For more stories and photos of Guatemala, click here