Cost of Living in Panajachel - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $562 (excluding rent), and $642 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,306 (excluding rent), and $1,462 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.5 Q 34.45

$3.21 Q 24.57

$9.64 Q 73.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.91 Q 252

$98.7 Q 755

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.32 Q 48.33

$5.86 Q 44.82

$6.51 Q 49.79

Cappuccino

$2.6 Q 19.89

$1.95 Q 14.93

$5.2 Q 39.77

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 Q 9.44

$0.8 Q 6.14

$3.09 Q 23.61

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.94 Q 7.17

$0.64 Q 4.9

$1.93 Q 14.79

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.62 Q 20.06

$1.97 Q 15.07

$4.02 Q 30.75

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.64 Q 35.47

$2.65 Q 20.26

$6.61 Q 50.6

Milk (1 liter)

$2.09 Q 15.98

$1.58 Q 12.12

$3.68 Q 28.17

White Bread (500g)

$1.59 Q 12.14

$9.89 Q 75.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.06 Q 15.76

$1.72 Q 13.17

$5.19 Q 39.74

Eggs

$1.79 Q 13.71

$1.58 Q 12.09

$5.25 Q 40.2

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.84 Q 60

$5.73 Q 43.87

$12.9 Q 98.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.47 Q 64.8

$4.63 Q 35.4

$10.41 Q 79.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.98 Q 76.4

$5.18 Q 39.6

$19.96 Q 153

Apples (1kg)

$3.62 Q 27.72

$1.93 Q 14.74

$4.91 Q 37.55

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 Q 11.99

$0.92 Q 7.04

$4.36 Q 33.35

Oranges (1kg)

$3.18 Q 24.37

$1.25 Q 9.59

$11.81 Q 90.4

Tomato (1kg)

$1.17 Q 8.92

$0.79 Q 6.05

$2.14 Q 16.37

Potato (1kg)

$1.07 Q 8.16

$0.64 Q 4.91

$5.16 Q 39.46

Onion (1kg)

$2.27 Q 17.4

$0.66 Q 5.08

$3.82 Q 29.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.63 Q 4.85

$0.89 Q 6.78

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 Q 9

$0.63 Q 4.84

$1.91 Q 14.58

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.69 Q 28.25

$3.31 Q 25.3

$5.29 Q 40.51

Wine (Bottle)

$8.1 Q 62

$6.48 Q 49.61

$11.03 Q 84.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.65 Q 12.64

$1.05 Q 8.01

$2.63 Q 20.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 Q 18.49

$1.54 Q 11.8

$4.49 Q 34.36

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.26 Q 40.28

$2.63 Q 20.14

$7.9 Q 60.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 Q 4.65

$0.38 Q 2.93

$1.08 Q 8.25

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.86 Q 121

$9.91 Q 75.8

$23.78 Q 182

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 Q 8.12

$0.98 Q 7.52

$1.18 Q 9.01

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.9K Q 152.3K

$15.9K Q 121.9K

$26.5K Q 203.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.8K Q 189.9K

$23.6K Q 180.4K

$26.2K Q 200.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$34.02 Q 260

$28.21 Q 216

$159 Q 1,219

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$26.51 Q 203

$13.15 Q 101

$43.76 Q 335

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.67 Q 357

$24.47 Q 187

$103 Q 788

Cinema Ticket

$7.32 Q 56

$5.99 Q 45.81

$9.98 Q 76.3

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$244 Q 1,871

$117 Q 898

$326 Q 2,494

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,722 Q 43.8K

$4,631 Q 35.4K

$7,719 Q 59.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.7 Q 388

$33.02 Q 253

$79.3 Q 606

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 Q 412

$39.53 Q 302

$65.9 Q 504

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 Q 884

$64.7 Q 495

$168 Q 1,288

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 Q 934

$78.5 Q 600

$170 Q 1,301

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.9

6.5

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Panajachel - Frequently Asked Questions

Panajachel tends to offer a friendly balance of value and charm for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll find simple guesthouses and modern apartments at scalable prices, plus plenty of locally produced food that keeps daily costs reasonable. In peak season the vibe is lively, but you can still negotiate longer stays or quieter options to suit your rhythm. The cultural mix – markets, cafes, and lakeside views – adds value beyond price, helping you stretch a budget without sacrificing quality. Cost of Living in Panajachel, Guatemala shows how affordability blends with a laid‑back lifestyle and easy access to the lake. Tip: start with a short stay near the water to test pace and costs.

Daily life revolves around the lake, markets, and a short ride to the surrounding towns. When housing, you’ll see lakeside rooms, compact apartments, and guesthouses in walkable neighborhoods – great for quick errands and coffee runs. Food options range from fresh produce at markets to casual eateries with affordable set meals. For getting around, a mix of boat shuttles, tuk-tuks, and walking keeps transport flexible. If you’re freelancing or remote working, look for cafes with reliable wifi or a basic co-working space close to your lodging. Panajachel living cost varies by location and season, so plan a flexible budget. Tip: map a weekly routine to balance work and downtime.

Quality of life here comes from pace, nature, and community. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate lodging from flexible daily spend, and give yourself a cushion for seasonal changes in markets and events. You’ll notice hillside homes or quieter streets offer more space per peso, while lakeside spots give instant access to social life but can be busier. Seasonality affects crowds, availability, and mood, so choose a neighborhood that matches your energy. Practical tips: shop at local markets, cook at home several nights a week, and consider longer stays to leverage monthly rates. Tip: stay flexible and build in buffer for weather and festival periods.