Moving to Guatemala from Sao Tome and Principe

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Guatemala, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Guatemala compared to Sao Tome and Principe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
GT
20.0
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
11.7
GT
12.6

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Guatemala across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ST
$355
GT
$935
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.9
GT
12.8

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guatemala leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

ST
85.0
GT
40.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
GT
1.1t

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on environment, though Guatemala 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

ST
2.0
GT
3.7
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
GT
5.7%

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on infrastructure, though Guatemala leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ST
14.2%
GT
2.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
GT
$12,700

Guatemala performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ST
67.1 yrs
GT
72.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
GT
26.2

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on family life, though Guatemala leads in life expectancy.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Guatemala

Visa Free
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can enter Guatemala without a visa.
Guatemala passport

Guatemala passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Guatemala passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Sao Tome and Principe.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Guatemala?

Connectivity is usually fine (Guatemala: 3.7 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Guatemala offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Guatemala safe for expats?

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Guatemala across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Guatemala is 20.0 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

How is healthcare in Guatemala compared to Sao Tome and Principe?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guatemala leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 12.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Guatemala, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Guatemala scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in Guatemala?

The official language in Guatemala is Spanish. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

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At a Glance

ST GT
Population 217,164 17,703,190
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
Languages Portuguese Spanish
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +502
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110