Guatemala captivates travellers with its volcanic landscapes, vibrant textiles, and ancient Mayan ruins – but understanding money in Guatemala is critical to avoid confusion. The local currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ), and cash is king – especially in local markets, chicken buses, and smaller towns. While cards are accepted at upscale hotels and some restaurants in Antigua and Guatemala City, they’re unreliable elsewhere. Exchange rates can differ sharply, and ATM access may be limited in remote regions. This guide helps you navigate currency in Guatemala with confidence, ensuring you’re ready for both adventure and daily essentials.
How to pay in Guatemala – cash or card?
In Guatemala, cash is king. Nearly 80-90% of transactions are still conducted in cash by tourists.
You can use cash for:
- Public buses
- Local trains (in some areas, ticket machines might not accept cards)
- Tips and gratuities in many places
- Food from local restaurants, especially in less touristy areas
- Tuk-tuks, chicken buses and local taxis
- Street food vendors
- Many hostels and budget hotels
- Small purchases
- Entry fees for some temples, museums, and historical sites
- Many tour operators, especially local or small-scale ones
- Local markets and bazaars
- Street shopping
You can use card for:
- Entry fees for major tourist attractions and theme parks in major tourist areas
- Upmarket hotels
- Good looking coffee shops in major tourist areas
- Shopping in malls and branded stores in major cities
- Professional pre-paid taxi booking services (such as in larger cities)
- Online bookings for hotels, flights, and tours
- Car rentals
- Expensive tour operators
- Fancy sit-down restaurants in major tourist areas
- Spas in major tourist areas
What’s the best currency to take to Guatemala?
The Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) is the official and best currency to use in Guatemala. Almost all local shops, markets, restaurants, and transportation services expect payment in Quetzals.
While some tourist hotels and agencies in Antigua or Guatemala City may quote in USD, you’ll often lose value with poor exchange rates. USD is not accepted widely outside major tourist hubs.
Your best bet? Withdraw GTQ from a local bank ATM once you arrive. Bring some backup USD if you must, but spend in Quetzals to avoid confusion and get the best value.
Where to get the local currency in Guatemala?
In Guatemala, you can get the local currency in 3 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange,
Money transfer and local pick-up.
Pro-tip: Avoid buying Guatemalan Quetzal in your home country. It’s not a popular currency so it’ll be hard to find at home and if you do, the exchange rate will be poor.
Types of cards to swipe in Guatemala
Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.
Types of cards at ATMs in Guatemala
ATMs in Guatemala will mainly accept Visa and Mastercard. Some of them may accept Cirrus and Plus cards. Do not expect ATMs in Guatemala to accept JCB, UnionPay, Amex, Diners, Discover, Rupay or Maestro cards.
Should I exchange currency before travelling to Guatemala?
It’s helpful to bring a small amount of Guatemalan Quetzals (GTQ) before arriving, but chances are your local bank doesn’t stock them – and if they do, the exchange rate likely won’t be great.
A better option is to withdraw GTQ from ATMs after you land. You’ll find them in Guatemala City, Antigua, and other major towns. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but confirm compatibility with Cirrus or Plus networks if using a debit card. Be prepared for potential ATM fees and notify your bank before travel.
USD is accepted in some tourist-focused hotels and agencies, but paying in Quetzals gives you better value overall. Exchanging USD to GTQ at banks or licensed money changers in town is also an option if you’re carrying cash.
Carry both cards and cash. You’ll need cash for buses, markets, small eateries, and tips – cards are mostly accepted in hotels and upscale restaurants.
Where to withdraw money in Guatemala
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Guatemala are those as:
5B,
Banco Industrial (BI), and
BAC Credomatic.
Global ATM alliance: Global ATM Alliance is a partnership among many banks in the world to allow its customers to withdraw cash from all partner banks abroad without any ATM fee. Many banks in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America are part of the Global ATM Alliance, including Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and others. BUT, there is no local bank in Guatemala part of this network. So don’t rely on this.
For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in Guatemala.
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Guatemala. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Guatemala.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Where to exchange currency in Guatemala
You can exchange currency in Guatemala at:
Authorised currency exchange centres: They are dound in tourist areas like Antigua’s main street and Guatemala City. Ensure they have an authorisation certificate and ask for identification. Local brands are preferred in Guatemala.
Banks: You can also convert your currency to Quetzal at bank branches in Guatemala, especially for common currencies like US dollars, Euros, Pounds, Japanese Yen, and Singapore dollars. A commission of 0.5% to 2% per transaction is typical.
Hotels and airports: Currency exchange services are available, but rates are often less favorable. Some larger hotels may offer rates comparable to banks.
Tips:
Avoid airport exchanges for better rates.
Stay away from the black market to avoid scams.
Use new notes for better rates or lower fees.
For US dollars, larger bills generally receive higher rates.
Is carrying money in Guatemala safe?
No, to carry a large amount of cash in Guatemala is not considered safe. Carry only what you need for the day or a few hours. Follow these tips:
- Carry only the cash you need.
- Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
- Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
- Do not flash your money in Guatemala in public.
- When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
- Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
- Cross-wear your purses if possible.
- Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
- When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
- If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattented while you go to the restroom.
- If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in Guatemala
Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.
