Side-by-side city decision # San Pedro La Laguna vs Surabaya. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link San Pedro La LagunaGuatemala3/6 VS SurabayaIndonesia2/6 $835San Pedro La Laguna monthly budget $585Surabaya monthly budget 25 MbpsSan Pedro La Laguna internet 55 MbpsSurabaya internet Decision summary San Pedro La Laguna San Pedro La Laguna leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Surabaya Speed Fastest internet Surabaya Vibe Best nomad vibe San Pedro La Laguna Safety Highest safety Tie Air Cleanest air San Pedro La Laguna Walk Most walkable San Pedro La Laguna Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [San Pedro La Laguna](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/guatemala/san-pedro-la-laguna.md) Guatemala 3/6 Budget$835 Internet25 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) Indonesia 2/6 Budget$585 Internet55 Mbps Vibe6/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricSan Pedro La LagunaSurabaya Total estimated budget $835 $585 1-bed center rent $450 $260 Coworking desk $95 $95 Local meal $4.5 $1.8 Cappuccino $2.8 $2.2 Gym membership $25 $28 Transport budget $35 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricSan Pedro La LagunaSurabaya Internet speed 25 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricSan Pedro La LagunaSurabaya Safety index 62/100 62/100 Air quality 82/100 58/100 Walkability 7/10 4/10 Female safety 6/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 4/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricSan Pedro La LagunaSurabaya Healthcare quality Average Good English proficiency Average Basic Climate type Subtropical highland Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Nov - Apr May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [San Pedro La Laguna](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/guatemala/san-pedro-la-laguna.md) Guatemala → ### Strengths * Beautiful Lake Atitlan views and volcano scenery * Affordable local food and long-stay rentals * Strong backpacker, wellness, and remote-worker community * Walkable compact center with a relaxed pace * Mild highland temperatures year-round * Easy boat access to other Lake Atitlan villages ### Trade-offs * Internet and electricity can be inconsistent during storms * Most businesses are cash-first * Tap water is not reliably safe to drink * Steep paths and uneven sidewalks limit accessibility * Healthcare is basic for serious needs * Noise from boats, dogs, roosters, and fiestas can be common ### Common visa routes * CA-4 tourist entry: up to 90 days shared with Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua * Tourist extension: request up to an additional 90 days through Guatemalan immigration * Temporary residency: longer-term route through qualifying work, family, investment, or income categories [Surabaya](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/surabaya.md) Indonesia → ### Strengths * Very affordable everyday costs * Excellent East Javanese food scene * Reliable mobile data and growing fiber coverage * Major hospitals and modern shopping centers * Convenient base for exploring East Java * Less tourist-saturated than Bali ### Trade-offs * Heavy traffic and limited pedestrian infrastructure * Hot, humid weather year-round * English is not widely spoken outside modern districts * Air quality can worsen during the dry season * Smaller international nomad community than Bali or Jakarta * Tap water is not safe to drink ### Common visa routes * Visa on Arrival * B211A Visit Visa * E33G Remote Worker Visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.