Guatemala or the Andes: Two Winter Options to Chew On
Two not-quite-solo options landed in my inbox this week: A-frame cabins on Lake Atitlán at $500 a month, and a pop-up nomad community in the Andes.
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Happy Hump-Day, Midlife Nomads (in practice or in spirit… you’re one of us now).
I made it back to Ontario after a lovely train trip to Eastern Canada with a couple of days stopover in Montreal. More on Halifax soon but first, a few things hit my inbox this week that I want to share with you.
First, a retreat property on Lake Atitlan has opened up new packages of 1-week, 1-month or 3-month stays for slow travelers with wifi needs seeking a Guatemalan home base for a short while.
I love Guatemala and have spent time in Antigua over the years. But Lake Atitlan was never really an option for anything more than a weekend trip due to the connectivity issues and the type of work I was doing at the time.
Paulina Vargas at Arco Isis Sanctuary is promising 200mbps of internet, access to the whole property, and a schedule of optional activities with NO set program, so you can stay a while and truly do your own thing. A-frame cabins start at $500 USD per month. If you’re looking at getting out of the city and maybe even a bit feral (in the best way) this winter, it’s an intriguing option.
This is not an endorsement, mind you; I haven’t been there myself (yet). But it’s worth checking out.
This next one isn’t a curated experience at all but access to a pop-up community in a beautiful South American city, guided by one of the best at creating these types of experiences.
Matthias Zeitler is the founder of Coworking Bansko, Bansko Nomad Fest and Coliving Semkovo. He’s the mastermind behind Bansko’s transformation from a small ski village to a year-round digital nomad hub.
And he’s just launched a program called Nomad Pioneers, with the first chapter in Cuenca, Ecuador, from December 15 through March 15, 2027.
Now, this isn’t a shared house or coliving. You’ll find and book your own accommodations (with their help).
What Pioneers offers is instant community and all of the energy, learning, and social life that comes with it. If spending part of your winter in the Andes is appealing to you, the Nomad Pioneers info is here.
I’d love to join you, but I’ll be in Nicaragua from December onward… and may have to pop over to Lake Atitlan for a week or two to check our Arco Isis.
That’s a long way off yet, though. For now, I’m enjoying another couple of weeks of Canadian summer, then heading south for a 6-week housesit.
If you’re looking for a little extra inspiration this week, I hope these fit the bill. These are the posts readers have loved most since Midlife Nomads launched nearly three years ago:
Where in the world are you, and what are you up to? Share your stories, questions or adventures in the comments, or reply to this email. I read every response.
Until next time — may your motivation stay strong and your offers come in above asking.
✌🏻 Miranda
P.S. I’ve opened up consulting sessions for people working through a specific remote work or relocation question. Details and rates are on the Work With Me page.
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