Moving to Barbados from Guatemala

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Guatemala to Barbados? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Guatemala to Barbados, and you’d need to navigate life in English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Barbados compared to Guatemala.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

GT
20.0
BB
15.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GT
12.6
BB
10.0

Barbados performs significantly better than Guatemala across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

GT
$935
BB
$1,153
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GT
12.8
BB
29.7

Barbados generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guatemala leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

GT
40.0
BB
19.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GT
1.1t
BB
2.5t

Guatemala generally does better on environment, though Barbados leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GT
3.7
BB
37.6
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GT
5.7%
BB
87.5%

Guatemala generally does better on infrastructure, though Barbados leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GT
2.7%
BB
8.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GT
$12,700
BB
$17,400

Guatemala generally does better on employment & economy, though Barbados leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GT
72.9 yrs
BB
78.5 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GT
26.2
BB
9.6

Barbados performs significantly better than Guatemala across all family life metrics.

Data: Superintendence of the Tax Administration, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Guatemala and Barbados. To live, work, or study long-term in Barbados, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Barbados's immigration authority.

Guatemala passport

Guatemala passport holder visiting Barbados

Visa Free
Guatemala passport holders can enter Barbados without a visa.
Barbados passport

Barbados passport holder visiting Guatemala

Visa Free
Barbados passport holders can enter Guatemala without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Barbados?

Connectivity is usually fine (Barbados: 37.6 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Barbados offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Barbados safe for expats?

Barbados performs significantly better than Guatemala across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Barbados is 15.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 20.0 in Guatemala.

How is healthcare in Barbados compared to Guatemala?

Barbados generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guatemala leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 29.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Barbados, compared to 12.8 in Guatemala. Barbados scores 77 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Guatemala: 59).

What language do they speak in Barbados?

The official language in Barbados is English. In Guatemala, the official language is Spanish.

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At a Glance

GT BB
Population 17,703,190 302,674
Currency Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
Languages Spanish English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +502 +1246
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110