hopefulist

Good advance and information about the changes that were put into place this week:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...banrural-banks

hopefulist

I asked some additional questions and received answers that state payment at the main gate is received only in quetzales and that the bit about having a ticket date-stamped for the next day working after 3pm applies to the time you buy the ticket at the MAIN gate, not at the entrance to the Maya site as in the past. See Post #4 in the link above for the information.

sf7307

I know two couples who were in Tikal Sunday of this week. They had heard about these changes before they left for Tikal (from Antigua) and were very concerned. I don't know the end result, but I will check with them and post back. I think they get home today.

hopefulist

I'll look forward to hearing about their experience. Even without tickets in hand they should have been fine purchasing at the main gate as long as they knew what they wanted to purchase, but they might have faced long wait times, especially on Sunday when Guatemaltecos can get in free (but probably need to go through some process at the gate).

sf7307

The answer is that everyone is still confused, but the only specific difference from your link is that you can buy tickets at Banrural using USD, but they have to be $50 or $100 bills.


All in all, it sounds like the best thing to do is buy the tickets at the Banrural at Flores airport and use quetzales to do so.

hopefulist

Not all Banrurals are accepting US cash for exchange in Guatemala, even in those larger denominations, even when the bills are pristine. I think this might mainly be a problem for those approaching Tikal from Belize if the Banrural locations near the Belize border, in Melchor de Mencos, and at the main gate of Tikal won't exchange US cash.

sf7307

Sorry, I should have said the Banrural bank at Flores airport would take USD in $50 and $100 denominations.

hopefulist

That's good to know - it wasn't even on my radar that Banrural had a branch there (and I was just there for 3 hours waiting for a delayed flight last fall!).