In all of my research, I never found any mention of Guatemala not having a postal service. Without this knowledge, I had a mail forwarding service send mail to me in Guatemala. It sat somewhere for a month or so and was finally returned. Learning that DHL was the only international mail carrier, I had the mail sent to me here. Cost $140.
Also, there is a lot of hype about the medical care costs in Guatemala being cheap. Yes, on some procedures. And, we pay our local doctor 100Q ($12.00) for office visits, but needing shoulder surgery sent me into Guatemala City for a price quote from a specialist. Cost $8,000-$12,000. Outrageous. We cancelled our Medicare in the States before our move here based on all the hype about medical care costs. Having needed the shoulder surgery, I have to travel to Mexico for $5,500 surgical cost. If you have Medicare, DO NOT cancel it. You will need it. On a insurance website called CompareNow, for two 66 year olds we are quoted $11,352/yr and that's after a $7,000 discount. One prescription I use as a maintenance drug is $95 for a month's supply. All in all, Guatemalan health insurance IS NOT a bargain for older people.
Bottom line: based on costs for American-style groceries, mail and package costs, and medical care can make Guatemala seem like not such a bargain.
Also, there is a lot of hype about the medical care costs in Guatemala being cheap. Yes, on some procedures. And, we pay our local doctor 100Q ($12.00) for office visits, but needing shoulder surgery sent me into Guatemala City for a price quote from a specialist. Cost $8,000-$12,000. Outrageous. We cancelled our Medicare in the States before our move here based on all the hype about medical care costs. Having needed the shoulder surgery, I have to travel to Mexico for $5,500 surgical cost. If you have Medicare, DO NOT cancel it. You will need it. On a insurance website called CompareNow, for two 66 year olds we are quoted $11,352/yr and that's after a $7,000 discount. One prescription I use as a maintenance drug is $95 for a month's supply. All in all, Guatemalan health insurance IS NOT a bargain for older people.
Bottom line: based on costs for American-style groceries, mail and package costs, and medical care can make Guatemala seem like not such a bargain.
