Currency

Guatemala uses Quetzal as their currency.

Basic conversion:

• 1 GTQ = $7.68 USD

• 100 GTQ = $13 USD

• 152 GTQ = $20 USD

• 768 GTQ = $100 USD

Have more currency on you than you think you're going to need. When I travel, I don't like to have large amounts of cash on me because I can always withdraw currency at ATMs without getting charged ATM or foreign transaction fees. Here's the debit card I use: Charles Schwab High Yield Debit Card

BUT, I was surprised at how difficult it was to find an ATM anywhere! A lot more places than not do not take credit cards, unless they are fancier stores and restaurants. If you find places that take credit card, VISA and Mastercard are accepted. I even tried using Amex at the airport and they don't take it.

So how much cash should you have on you? I recommend taking out 1,000 GTQ ($130 USD) to start off with. Guatemala is not as cheap as I thought it was going to be. Especially because a handful of places don't take credit card, 1,000 GTQ ran out within 2-3 days.

Other things to note:

• Since transportation will be one of the bigger expenses of your trip, it's important to have smaller bills, especially when riding tuktuks!

• Tap to pay doesn't work as well. Use chip insert instead.