I can’t believe it’s already been two years since I arrived in Guatemala with just one suitcase, ready to start a new life in the remote Northern region of Petén. My now ex-boyfriend and I had bought a house there, based only on photos. Let me recap everything that’s happened since then.
When we first arrived, the house by the lake was almost abandoned. The previous owner hadn’t been there for years. There was no gate from the road, and the old deck and roof were both rotten. We even had to cover the roof with a plastic bag to keep the rain out. There was no running water or electricity either. Thankfully, two guys came and set up the power, allowing us to install a water pump so we could stop bathing and cleaning dishes in the lake.
Life was a bit rough initially, but the sunsets were amazing from the very first day. Soon enough, we painted the house, replaced the rotten thatch with a plastic roof, and divided the space into two rooms for privacy. We also built a wall, bought a gate, and fixed the deck and beach area. The small hut on the property became a chicken coop, home to our first three hens—Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner—and their many descendants. Later, they were joined by turkeys, ducks, and geese as they moved to a bigger space.
We built a new room using local materials such as stones and wood, which included a separate bathroom and closet. On the top floor, we created a living space and summer kitchen. This new area, along with the two rooms in the main house, is now available for rent on Airbnb. We live in a third, smaller unit that was completed a few months ago, which includes a living area in front, a nice bathroom, and a rooftop bar with panoramic views over the lake. From the lake, you can barely see the three structures.
Last winter was tough; the lake’s water level rose up to the deck, forcing us to burn it down and build a new, elevated one. After 18 months of hard work, it was time to take a break from construction and focus on another project: 90 acres of land half a mile down the road. Initially, the land was overgrown with high weeds, making it easy to get lost. Navigating the bureaucratic jungle to get the land legally divided into 100 individual plots without paying bribes to the council was challenging. But after a year, we had our property titles!
We brought in a caterpillar to trace roads, built a wall and a gate, and burned the land a few times to clear the weeds and let the grass grow stronger. The land offers fantastic lake views and has two forested areas where you can still hear howler monkeys. We also bought a beach in front of the land to provide water access for residents. We’re building a stone road to launch boats, a beach area, and a nicer deck. Smaller, more expensive plots by the water will be for sale, primarily targeting foreigners who wish to retire in Guatemala on a small budget. Land and construction costs are much lower in the North.
Our plan for next year includes continuing to improve the 90 acres, selling more plots, and enjoying a worker-free house with Napoleon, the Little Great Dane who joined us seven months ago. That sums up two years of work and sweat. Where were you two years ago?