Guide of Atms and Cash in Guatemala

If you’re planning your trip to the ‘Land of Eternal Spring’, one of the first questions that come to mind after packing is: How do I pay for my things there?

Living here and having come from the cobbled streets of Antigua to the most remote villages of Huehuetenango, I’ve seen many travelers frustrated in front of an atm machine or trying to use your Apple Pay at a local market. For that not to happen to you, I have prepared this guide honestly and directly about how the money moves in Guatemala.

Local currency: Quetzal (Q)

Our currency is the Quetzal, named for our national bird. Although in some luxury hotels or agencies of tours you’ll see prices in us dollars (USD) in 95% of cases you will pay in Quetzals.

The tickets that you see in your wallet:

Q1 (Green): that is increasingly rare in paper (it is now more common in currency), but there are still.
Q5 (Lilac): the ticket for The cafe on the street or a tip small.
Q10 (Red): Very common.
Q20 (Blue): The more you will use it.
Q50 (Orange): a Useful, but sometimes difficult to change in stores very small.
Q100 (Coffee): The standard name of the teller. Tip of resident: Is ‘feriarlo’ (change it to small bills) in a grocery store or gas station, because in a ‘tuc-tuc’ or a set of fruit will never change.
Q200 (Aqua/Multicolor): The bill of the largest denomination. Honestly, it is a headache. Many small shops do not accept it for fear of forgery or lack of change. If the cashier gives you one, spend it in a big restaurant.

Automatic teller machines (ATM): Where and what to wear?

In Guatemala, you’ll see a teller for all sides, but not all are created equal for a card foreign.

Atms 5B (The yellows): Are the most common. You see it even in the smallest village. Accepted in almost all international cards (Visa, Mastercard). Yes, they usually charge a withdrawal fee of around Q35 – Q50 (about $5-$7 USD), additional to what they charge you for your bank.
BAC Credomatic, and Banco Industrial (Bi): they Are very reliable. If you have a card from a bank, european or american, these tend to be the least connection errors given.
Security: As a resident, my golden rule is: Never use an atm on the street at night. Always looking for those who are in shopping malls, supermarkets (like Paiz or Tower) or gas stations with surveillance.

Important note: The limit of withdrawal daily is usually low (between Q2,000 and Q3,000). If you need more cash for a tour large, you will have to make multiple transactions or to go to a bank branch with your passport physical.

Forms of Payment: Do you Card or Cash?

Here is where most of the tourist are confused. Guatemala is a country of contrasts.

Cash is King (Cash is King)

If you go to the markets of Chichicastenango, you’re going to climb the volcano Acatenango, or you want to ride on a ‘Chicken Bus’, you need to cash. a Lot of small restaurants (dining rooms) and craft shops do not accept credit cards. Always load at least a few Q300 in small bills for emergencies.

Credit and Debit cards

In Guatemala City, Antigua and tourist areas of Atitlan, the cards are widely accepted.

Visa is the queen: it Is widely accepted all over the country.
Mastercard: Also very common.
American Express: get Ready for I tell you that in many places, or you wish to charge a fee of 5% to 7% by using it.

How Apple Pay and Google Pay?

We are making progress, but we’re not there at all. In Guatemala City and Antigua, the modern settlements that use terminals of BAC or Visanet already accept contactless payments with your phone or watch. However, don’t leave your hotel without your physical card or cash, because if the system fails or the trade is old, the mobile payment as you will.

Tips ‘Insider’ for your pocket

Contact your bank: Before landing, make sure your bank knows that you will be in Guatemala. The security system here is strict and tend to block cards at the first attempt of withdrawal in an atm 5B.
The rate of exchange at the airport: ¡avoid this! Bureaux de change in the Airport La Aurora have the worst rates. It is better to take a little money out of an atm inside the airport.
Tips: In restaurants, it is customary to leave 10%. In many places is already included in the account as a ‘Tip Suggested’. Always check your bill for not paying double.
Dollars in cash: Although some hotels will accept them, they must be flawless. If a dollar bill has a scratch minimum or a stain, no bank or trade in Guatemala you will accept it.

Guatemala is a country with incredibly hospitable, and although the money management can seem like a challenge at first, once you have a few quetzales in the bag, everything flows.