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The Ultimate Digital Nomad Guide to Guatemala

Last Updated: March 1, 2023 · Digital Nomad, Guatemala

If you’ve been daydreaming about Mayan culture, coffee and chocolate, and volcano adventures, then it might be time to consider being a digital nomad in Guatemala.

The digital nomad/remote work scene in Guatemala is still in its infancy, which means right now is a great time to be a nomad in Guatemala and work remotely for a couple of weeks or months.

Why is that, you ask?

For one, Guatemala is not (yet) on most nomads’ radars.

girl on gigantic troll hand at Hobbitenango eco-park near Antigua Guatemala

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

digital nomad working on laptop at fat cat coffee house in antigua guatemala

Whether that is due to safety concerns, living expenses, WiFi speeds, or just unfamiliarity with the country, it’s not.

And two, the country is just teeming with adventure activities, culture, history, and so much more.

Literally, this country is extremely underrated. It’s by far one of my favorite places to live as a digital nomad.

And that’s exactly why I am writing this post! I’m here to tell you why you should put Guatemala on your digital nomad bucket list.

In this guide, I detail everything you need to know to make a decision about whether or not Guatemala is your next digital nomad destination.

Read more below to learn about where to live in Guatemala as a digital nomad, Wi-Fi expectations, community, Guatemala’s digital nomad visa requirements (if any), and more! 🇬🇹 💻 ⬇️

Table of Contents show
The Ultimate Guide: Guatemala for Digital Nomads
Cost of Living in Guatemala as a Digital Nomad
Do You Need a Digital Nomad Visa for Guatemala?
Healthcare for Digital Nomads in Guatemala
Best Places to Live in Guatemala for Digital Nomads
Antigua — Guatemala’s Colonial Capital
Lake Atitlán — Central Highlands of Sololá
Flores — Petén’s Jungly Capital
El Paredón — Pacific Coast Beach Town
Other places for nomads in Guatemala
Finding Accommodation in Guatemala as Nomads
Coworking & Coliving in Guatemala
Getting Around and Traveling in Guatemala as a Digital Nomad
The Best Time of Year to Work Remotely in Guatemala
Unmissable Things to as a Digital Nomad in Guatemala
Overall, Is Guatemala Safe & a Good Country for Digital Nomads?

The Ultimate Guide: Guatemala for Digital Nomads

Digital nomad walkign across street in Antigua Guatemala with Santa Catalina Arch and Agua Volcano in background.

Cost of Living in Guatemala as a Digital Nomad

Guatemala is one of the cheaper Central American countries to live in for digital nomads—especially if you are used to sky-high European/North American costs of living.

So, just how much do you need to budget to be a digital nomad in Guatemala?

From our experience, you should budget between $1100 and $2200 per month (as a digital nomad couple) for Guatemala. If you are traveling solo, you can expect to pay less.

Below is a breakdown of costs!

That said, please be mindful of your purchasing power as a temporary nomad in Guatemala!

For example, avoid overpaying for monthly rentals because this hurts the locals who cannot match the rent prices tourists are willing to pay.

As nomads, we have a responsibility to do good in the host communities we choose to visit. Read more in my guide to ethical and responsible travel.

Your cost of living in Guatemala as a nomad will vary greatly depending on a couple of factors.

For example,

  • Will you be slow traveling and staying in one place for longer or traveling through the country digital nomad backpacker style?
  • Where will you stay as a nomad? In a coliving space, a hostel, or a local apartment?
  • What is your travel lifestyle like? Do you eat out a lot or cook at home? Do you shop at local markets?

So, it all depends!

Just to give you an idea of everyday living expenses in Guatemala for digital nomads and remote workers, here are some examples of the types of prices you’ll see for food/drink, monthly rent, and transport:

  • Cup of coffee: Q20 ($2.50)
  • Beer: Q20–40
  • Restaurant meal: Q60–120
  • Budget eats: Q30–60
  • Coworking day pass: Q50–70
  • Gringo accommodation: Q5000+ ($650+)
  • Local rent: Q3500 ($450)
  • Boat fare (Lake Atitlan): Q5–25/person
  • Tuk-tuk ride in small towns or cities: Q5–10/person
  • Shuttle to Antigua from Lake Atitlan: Q100/person ($13)
Digital nomad girl holding cold brew coffee inside artista de cafe in antigua guatemala
Church ruins of La Recolección in Antigua Guatemala

The conversion rate from US Dollars or Euros to the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) varies per the market.

At the time of this writing, 1 USD is around 7.75 Quetzals (GTQ) and 1 EUR is about Q9 (we always rounded up to Q10 for easy calculation).

Do You Need a Digital Nomad Visa for Guatemala?

Citizens from the US, UK, and EU, among other locations categorized as visa-exempt (Category “A”), do not need a visa to enter Guatemala for up to 90 days.

If you want to extend your stay as a digital nomad in Guatemala beyond those 90 days, you will need to fill out this Tourist Extension Form and go to Guatemala City.

Welcome to Guatemala sign

Guatemala Entry Requirements for Visa-Exempt Nomads:

  • Passport validity of six months, with one blank passport page
  • Onward proof of travel is technically required
  • No COVID testing required

Basically, if the above applies to you, all you need to get into Guatemala as a digital nomad is a stamp in your passport.

It’s also important to note that Guatemala is part of the Central America Border Control Agreement (CA-4), which is similar to the Schengen agreement for the European Union.

In short, this means that the day you enter Guatemala or another CA-4 country (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua), you have free movement between those countries for up to 90 days.

Lastly, while not required, you should definitely consider getting nomad travel medical insurance to cover your trip! Read more below about medical provisions in Guatemala for tourists.

Healthcare for Digital Nomads in Guatemala

woman looking at san pedro volcano from atop indian nose mountain summit

Public and private hospitals are fairly affordable in case you need general medical care or emergency care while traveling in Guatemala.

For routine check-ups, dental cleanings, and anything non-emergency, you could probably pay out of pocket.

For example, in Antigua, I paid $50 USD for a dental cleaning. (I highly recommend Smile Antigua, by the way!)

Services and their costs will vary, of course, depending on where you travel in-country.

If you’re based in Panajachel, hospital prices at Pana Med are as follows:

  • Regular Appointments: Q150 (general medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics)
  • Specialist Appointments: Q300
  • Emergency: Q300* — *base cost

Of course, just because medical expenses are cheaper in Guatemala compared to prices you’d pay in North America/Europe, don’t forego the SafetyWing nomad travel medical insurance.

It only costs $40/4 weeks to protect your life and trip in case of emergency. Perhaps best of all, it takes literally 3 minutes to sign up and coverage starts the first day you are abroad.

I have been insured with SafetyWing since 2018! You can read more in my SafetyWing Review.

Best Places to Live in Guatemala for Digital Nomads

Now here comes the fun part! Which towns or cities in Guatemala are ideal for digital nomads?

Surprisingly, there are several places to set up shop for a few weeks or months as a digital nomad in Guatemala.

Let’s start with my favorite!

Antigua — Guatemala’s Colonial Capital

Average monthly spending: $2200–$2500 (for two)
WiFi speeds: 10–20 Mbps
Why we love it: Volcanoes, history/culture, awesome food/drink, cafes, community

If you are a nomad who thrives on coffee culture and being able to explore your temporary home on foot, all while having access to epic day trips, activities, breweries, and more, then you would love being a digital nomad in Antigua!

There are simply so many awesome things to do in Antigua that make digital nomad life there so intriguing.

Besides that, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is just gorgeous. Definitely one of my favorite Latin American destinations and cities in the world.

Trust us, you won’t ever get bored being based there for a while!

We had the chance to live in Guatemala’s colonial gem for two months and deem it the best place to be a digital nomad in Guatemala.

Each week, we were trying out a new restaurant, brewery, or rooftop bar.

Woman walking on church ruins as a popular thing to do in Antigua Guatemala
white tuk-tuk in front of La Merced Park in Antigua Guatemala
multicolor plant-based tacos served at La Bruja cafe in Antigua Guatemala
digital nomad girl in antigua guatemala
sunrise over active pacaya volcano in guatemala

On weekends, we would go hiking on Pacaya Volcano, duck inside a cozy cafe for work, pretend to be hobbits at Hobbitenango, or simply snuggle up at home.

Antigua also is ideal for nomads thanks to its fat stack of cozy cafes with WiFi and coworking spaces like Impact Hub, Selina, and El Cubo.

The only possible downside of Antigua is it’s quickly spreading as a must-visit destination—for nomads and non-nomads alike.

That said, you can expect prices to be higher for accommodation, food, and more. Our expenses in Antigua were about $2200 per month as a couple.

You can read more in my detailed Digital Nomad Antigua Guide and in these posts:

  • 💻 Antigua’s Best Coffee Shops & Cafes With Wifi
  • 💎 15 Best Hotels in Antigua: Where to Stay
  • 🚗 10 Best Day Trips from Antigua Guatemala
  • 🌋 3 Days in Antigua Guatemala Itinerary
  • 🍴 17 Best Restaurants in Antigua Guatemala

Lake Atitlán — Central Highlands of Sololá

Average monthly spending: $1100–$1500 (for two)
WiFi speeds: 10–15 Mbps
Why we love it: Culture, natural beauty, fun activities, wellness, adventure, unique destination

Toliman, Atitlan, and San Pedro volcanoes in Lake Atitlan Guatemala
Lake Atitlán’s volcanoes
aerial view of San Pedro La Laguna, a Tz'utujil Maya town around Lake Atitlan Guatemala
San Pedro La Laguna is a digital nomad hub in Lake Atitlán

The second best place to live in Guatemala as a digital nomad is in Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlán) located in the Guatemala Highlands.

Lake Atitlan is great for digital nomads who don’t mind trading more stable Wi-Fi in order to be based in one of the most striking destinations on earth!

Imagine waking up to do your morning yoga before leisurely strolling into town to work for a few hours at a cafe that dons over the lake with three peaky volcanoes in sight.

That’s Lake Atitlan in a nutshell.

woman sitting at restaurant in san pedro la laguna in lake atitlan
Digital nomad life in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

The catch?

There are about a dozen towns around Lake Atitlan—only accessible by boat—but not all are ideal for nomads.

The best municipalities in Lake Atitlan for nomads are:

  • San Pedro La Laguna
  • San Marcos La Laguna
  • Panajachel
  • And possibly San Juan La Laguna

San Pedro is where we were based for 1.5 months as digital nomads in Lake Atitlan.

It’s the most “backpackery” of all the towns, with a bustling tourist scene. It has a handful of great cafes, restaurants, and hotels, but nothing that really compares to Antigua.

red tuk-tuks parked nearby the main dock in San Pedro La Laguna Guatemala
San Pedro

For a more bohemian vibe, head to San Marcos.

For a bustling shopping and commercial scene, Panajachel is the gateway to the lake and will offer the best in terms of Wi-Fi stability. Pana is where will find Lake Atitlan’s only coworking spot — Selina Coworking/Coliving Hostel.

And if you’re more intrigued by arts, coffee, and local life, then try San Juan.

a red tuktuk and colorful walls in san juan la laguna, lake atitlan
The colorful downtown of San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala
boat dock in panajachel
Panajachel boats depart for the other towns around the lake

From our experience, the Wi-Fi was a bit more unreliable in Lake Atitlan than in Antigua. We had several outages than desired.

And on that note, a lot more spiders (and even scorpions) in our house, too. (But ’tis the reality of a tiny home perched on the slope of an ancient volcano.) 🦂

As for housing options and availability, I will go into detail about that down below!

Also Read:

  • 🇬🇹 20 Epic Things to Do in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
  • 🥾 9 Incredible Hikes Around Lake Atitlán
  • ✨ Top 10 Hotels & Resorts in Lago Atitlán, Guatemala
  • 🏔 Hiking Indian’s Nose in Lake Atitlán with a Geologist
  • 🎨 Visiting the Kaqchikel Maya Village of Santa Catarina Palopó
  • 🛵 Discovering the Traditional Town of Santiago Atitlán

Flores — Petén’s Jungly Capital

Average monthly cost: $1000–$1500
WiFi speeds: 10–15 Mbps
Why consider it: Unique, backpacker community, adventure, Tikal

Flores, Guatemala is a beautiful destination for digital nomads (Photos by Michiel Ton)

You have no doubt heard of Chichén Itzá in southern Mexico, but have you heard of Lago Petén Itzá in northern Guatemala?

Sure, one might be famous ancient Mayan ruins and the other a lake, but my point is I bet you haven’t heard of it!

But, here’s why you should consider Flores as a digital nomad location in Guatemala, even if you don’t stay but a couple of days or weeks.

Flores is a little island in the middle of Lake Petén, situated in the center of Guatemala’s Petén department, so already that’s cool.

But the capital town of Flores is also the gateway to the Tikal ruins, which are Mayan and are gaining in popularity as one of Central America’s best Mayan ruins sites.

Thanks to all this traveler foot traffic, more and more cafes with Wi-Fi, cool hostels (like Los Amigos), and other nomad-friendly services are opening up in the town.

I bet in a few years this place is going to be one of the nomad hotspots of Guatemala as it is already a top place to visit for backpackers and tourists.

El Paredón — Pacific Coast Beach Town

Average monthly cost: $1000–$1500
WiFi speeds: 10 Mbps
Why consider it: Wellness, surfing, beach, off-beat

El Pardedón’s black sand beach (Credit: Joel Aguilar, Getty Images)

The Guatemala Highlands aren’t the only places to live as a digital nomad or remote worker in Guatemala.

Head south to the Pacific coast and you will find the sleepy coastal town of El Paredón (El Paredón Buena Vista).

From what I can tell, El Paredón is like Sayulita, Mexico of Guatemala (but maybe what it was like fifteen years ago).

In short, nomads and travelers flock to El Paredón not for coffee or volcanoes, but for the surf.

As a surfing town, you can expect a couple of the digital nomad staples — i.e. cute cafes for living the laptop lifestyle (like Cafecito del Mar), fun things to do, thatched surf houses, and an up-and-coming nomadic community.

I’ve heard the Wi-Fi is not great in El Paredón so you should consider getting a Guatemala TIGO sim card, just in case.

Other places for nomads in Guatemala

If you are looking for a well-beaten destination so you are sure not to have safety concerns or Wi-Fi outages, I think Antigua is your best bet.

However, there are so many underrated places to visit in Guatemala.

You might also consider looking into these destinations:

  • Livingston — A town on the Caribbean coast alive with Garifuna culture unlike what you will experience elsewhere in Guatemala! Nearby are the beautiful Río Dulce and Lago de Izabal.
  • Guatemala City — Although the city has previously been deemed as a no-go zone, its Zones 1 and 4 are becoming trendy digital nomad hubs.
  • Xela (Quetzaltenango) — Xela is a more local city in Guatemala that rarely sees the average tourist. However, that’s no reason to discount it!

Finding Accommodation in Guatemala as Nomads

Drone phot of digital nomads in Guatemala on property with tiny homes.
Our tiny home experience as nomads in Guatemala

In our experience, the best way to slow travel as nomads in Guatemala is to rent a local studio or apartment.

However, if you are traveling faster as a nomad backpacker, then you might find hostels to be cheaper and easier.

Otherwise, there are several ways to go about finding short and long-term monthly rentals in Guatemala.

  • 👉 Search local housing on Guatemala Facebook groups — Make sure to search by destination (e.g. Antigua Rentals, Lake Atitlan, Flores, etc).
  • 💻 Try to find local listings on rental websites — These can range from LongtermLettings.com to Anyplace.com.
  • 🏡 Consider staying in a co-working/co-living — Check out Selina Guatemala.
  • 💵 Negotiate a monthly deal on Airbnb — This doesn’t work every time but it’s a great way to snag unique accommodation in Guatemala’s off-season.

Coworking & Coliving in Guatemala

digital nomad working on laptop in La Vid cafe in antigua guatemala
Working at a cozy cafe in Antigua

An extra note on this — for now, there aren’t that many coworking and coliving options for nomads in Guatemala.

The most trusted, beautiful, and well-known are the two offered by Selina—one in Lake Atitlan and the other in Antigua.

The others I’ve seen in other locations such as in Guatemala City have teetered out or are not yet listed on any major site.

Getting Around and Traveling in Guatemala as a Digital Nomad

boats at dock on lake atitlan in sololá guatemala
Traveling via boat (lancha) is the only way to get around Lake Atitlán
tuk tuks in santiago atitlan guatemala
Getting around Santiago Atitlán town by tuk-tuk

Once you pick a location, the next item on your to-do list is to find out how you are getting there!

Before going to Guatemala, we were living as digital nomads in San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico, and so we took a shuttle from San Cristóbal to Panajachel and crossed into Guatemala by land.

You might do the same thing if you are also in Mexico or if you are in Belize, Honduras, or El Salvador.

If you are not planning on entering Guate by land, then you will find the cheapest airfare flying into Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport (GUA).

A brightly painted Guatemala "chicken bus"
Guatemala’s iconic chicken buses

Once you are in-country, there are just a few ways to get around:

  1. 🚌 Local chicken bus — These are loud and colorful American school buses that have been painted and converted into the local mode of transport (these are an iconic national symbol of Guatemala!).
  2. 🚐 Shuttle or shared minivan — Mostly for transport between major cities/towns (i.e. to or from Antigua to Lake Atitlan or Antigua to Flores).
  3. 🚙 Rental car — For an epic DIY road trip!
  4. 🚕 Uber, taxi, or tuk-tuk — For getting around within towns and cities like Antigua or Lake Atitlan.

Certainly, the most expensive option is the rental car. And if you are not familiar with Guatemala, it might not be the best choice.

Tuk-tuk drive parked in street in Antigua, Guatemala.
The tuk-tuks are white/silver in Antigua whereas they are bright red in Lake Atitlán!

The easiest and safest in my opinion is going the mid-tier route and taking the shared minivans or private shuttles if you are traveling between destinations.

✈️ To get from the airport to Antigua takes about 45 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic. The easiest way to get there (that doesn’t cost too much) is to get an Uber. This is what we did a few times!

The Best Time of Year to Work Remotely in Guatemala

hiking around lake atitlan guatemala
On one of the best hikes in Lake Atitlán in the spring

Next, when should you visit Guatemala as a nomadic traveler?

As you may already know, Guatemala’s climate is quite diverse.

It has the hot and humid jungle up north in Petén, the sultry coast of the Pacific to the south, and the cooler and high-altitude Highlands.

But no matter which destination you choose, there is a distinct dry and wet season in Guatemala that makes the best times to visit fall between the months of November and May.

Woman hiking at Pacaya Volcano on a day trip from Antigua Guatemala
The dry season of Guatemala is the best time for volcano hikes

There’s a reason they call Guatemala the “Land of Eternal Spring” because most of the country’s climate is springlike and pleasant.

We were in Lake Atitlán in the spring and I must say, it was lovely!

We made the move to Antigua at the end of April and were hoping for more sunshine. But instead, the rainy season came early and put a chilly damper on our plans to hike Acatenango.

🌸 Before you ever hit the ground in Guatemala, plan what activities and destinations you’d like to visit depending on how long you plan to be in-country!

Unmissable Things to as a Digital Nomad in Guatemala

Speaking of Acatenango, there are many bucket-list-worthy things to do as a digital nomad traveler in Guatemala.

First up, you have to hike on a volcano — whether that’s to roast marshmallows on Pacaya, camp overnight at Acatenango Basecamp, or birdwatch while tramping up on one of the three surrounding Lake Atitlan.

roasting marshmallows over lava at Pacaya Volcano
woman overlooking three volcanoes of Agua, Acatenango, and Fuego while on the pacaya sunrise trek

If you are seeing more of the country than Antigua or Lake Atitlan, then consider adding these other must-dos to your list!

  • 🌿 Swimming in the natural pools at Semuc Champey
  • 🇬🇹 Exploring Tikal National Park in Petén
  • 🏄‍♀️ Surfing it up at El Paredón
  • 🌳 Kayaking on the Rio Dulce
  • 🗣 Immersing yourself in Spanish Language School
  • ☕️ Touring a coffee farm in the Highlands
  • 🌋 Trek and camp on Volcán de Acatenango
  • 🥾 Hiking Santa Maria in Xela
  • 💐 Shopping at the sprawling Chichicastenango Market
  • 🏖 Learning about Garifuna culture in Livingston

And that’s just to start! There is so much more to discover in Guatemala.

Overall, Is Guatemala Safe & a Good Country for Digital Nomads?

rooftop terrace in antigua guatemala with view on fuego and acatenango volcanoes

Finally, is Guatemala safe for digital nomads? And is it worth your time?

I understand safety is relative, but during our time in Lake Atitlán and Antigua, I felt very safe as a female digital nomad.

Rest assured that all of the locations I feature above, while they may certainly be less frequented, are not unaccustomed to seeing foreign tourists.

digital nomad girl in antigua guatemala

As for if Guatemala is a good country for digital nomads, it simply depends on your nomadic lifestyle.

I personally think Guatemala is so underrated for travel and nomadism!

It has an incredibly rich indigenous culture(s), natural beauty, and colonial history, an amazing food/drink scene pretty much anywhere you go, and so many adventurous activities around every corner.

It’s kinda hard not to love entirely.

All that said, if you are more of an adventurous digital nomad Guatemala would be RIGHT up your alley. I have no doubt that if you go and leave, you’d immediately start itching to go back as soon as possible — as I am! 🇬🇹

I hope this digital nomad guide helps plan your stay in Guatemala! Please drop me a comment below with your expectations, experiences, or questions.

Make sure to pin this post for later 📍

By: Bri · In: Digital Nomad, Guatemala

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Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confi Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confidence & sense of self (at the risk of sounding cliché), of “my essence” and inner Knowing, and where my compassion and passions mingle and thrive. I was reading some of your comments on my recent Reel about solo travel and how I put myself at great risk/in danger. But as I was telling my Tibetan friend, Sonam, tonight (yes, the new one I made last week!), I inform my decisions mostly by 1. Asking myself, “Would this make a good story?” and 2. Listening to my body and emotions. Yes, it’s risky to travel solo, to be a female in a male-dominated culture, to go out after hours with people you just met, etc. But doing that — and all the magic that followed by “allowing” — reminded me exactly of who I am at my core: Curious and open to the world, willing to get uncomfortable for the sake of finding magic and serendipity. Some of you said, “I’m too scared to do this, how do you overcome that fear of personal safety?” And to this I say, I don’t! Fear accompanies me along the journey. Living life is one big risk. It’s uncomfortable to be open, vulnerable, and unsure. But once you accept that and once you begin to let compassion and curiosity guide you rather than your fear, the real magic starts to happen in all areas of life, not just travel. I find these moments most in travel though, when I’m confronted with contrast and am left vulnerable to the world and the kindness of my fellow humans. My Reels are not meant to romanticize or gloss over very real risks/threats in life, but rather to share a real account of what’s possible (adventure, connections, love, etc) when you worry less about societal norms and what’s “safe not safe” “right not right” and allow your over-active fears to take a backseat. 
This is your reminder to trust your inner compass to guide you in writing your epic life story. ✨✨

To sum it up: 

1. Choose a life of adventure 
2. Stay curious
3. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable (otherwise said, seek discomfort)
4. Let love and light flow in and out 
5. Change is the only constant 

#solotravel #nepaltravel #solofemaletraveler #soloadventure #localtravel #trekkingnepal #adventurethatislife
The strength of women 💛 These ladies were lau The strength of women 💛 

These ladies were laughing so sweetly while filling up their water jugs at the Manga Hiti fountain in Patan. I watched them for a while and then plucked up the courage to ask if I could take their photos, which only made them giggle more. 

I've always felt that not being able to communicate in the same language makes for even more interesting encounters. Without words, we have to touch each other's humanity with eyes and gestures, and most of the time it leads to unspoken mutual understanding, acceptance, and love. We three walked away with the biggest smiles on our faces. I yelled out "Dhayabad!" (Thank you!) as they hoisted their jugs up the stairs, laughing all the way. I won't forget this shared moment between us 🙏 

Check stories for the landscape orientation for some of these photos ✨ 

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Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swi Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swirling spirituality, its raw humanity? ✨🇳🇵❤️

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When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay open to the randomness of life and the kindness of strangers, really wonderful memories can be made. Thank you Lama family and my new Tibetan friends for such a fun and insightful sequence of experiences 🙏 💛

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My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 

Being back after 7 long years away has jolted my body, brain, and spirit. At first, I felt overwhelmed with the recurring thought of, "I don't know what to do with myself." It was only when acceptance knocked on my door, and I finally decided to let it in, that things began to shift and flow.
 
In Nepal, particularly Kathmandu, everything around me swarms like a hive. I have nowhere else to go but inside myself. I've discovered through years of slow traveling (and solo travel) that peace awaits me there -- a sense of independence, power, and knowing that is still, comforting, and safe. And I can tap into it whenever I need to.

Chaos and peace reside in all of us, and Nepal has a cosmic, ancient way of reminding you of just that. 

📍 Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur

#nepaltravel #patan #durbarsquare #nepalphotography #slowtravel #nepal #solotravel #lalitpur
They ask, “Why?” I was 29 when I embarked on They ask, “Why?” 

I was 29 when I embarked on the plane on the 21st, and 30 when I disembarked on the 23rd. How fitting. I spent all of my 20s abroad (except for my two final semesters in undergrad), and moved to Nepal when I was 21. 

What better way to say goodbye to my twenties than by returning to the start? I felt the desperate urge to start my 30s this way—alone on a one-way ticket with no concrete plans. I have both feared and longed to come back all these years. You see, I had made a promise to one of my closest Nepali friends that I’d see her again, but the reality is that I no longer can. 

She, along with another dear friend, passed away from cancer a couple of years back. The thought of returning to my old life here without my friends made me, well, incredibly sad. I had thought that, upon landing in Kathmandu—or taking a bite of my first momo—after so long, I’d find myself bursting into tears of both grief and gratitude. But I didn’t. Instead, I found familiarity in the chaos and chaos in the strangeness. 

Just being here—and the decisions and actions it took to get here—has reminded me of the preciousness of this one very short life. And that, by choosing to celebrate mine—at the exciting turn of a decade no less—by coming back to Nepal on a solo trip that would force me into daring discomfort when I could instead retreat to the comforts of family or my partner, is how I want to live it.

Truth is, a couple of months ago the thought of Nepal felt out of reach. It felt risky, unattainable. But the idea itself pushed open, just a crack at first, a door that had been otherwise closed. I could have more easily ignored my “what if?” daydreams—calling them off as too hard, too uncomfortable, or too far-fetched to actually pursue—and kept it shut.
But sometime in mid-July, I decided to look at flights. And I found one (truly, just one) option that could work. And it just so happened that it would fall on my birthday, or rather bridge my birthday. The idea of getting on a plane at 29 and getting off it at 30—back in Nepal—sold me. I fell in love with the story, the adventure, the unknowingness of it all. 

So, yeah. That’s why. Or as I prefer, “Why not?”
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