money in Guatemala
Dec 17th, 2008 | 04:53 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 602
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money in Guatemala
I am going to Guatemala in Jan/Feb with a couple of friends. I have already sent money ahead for some hotels and others will take USD. We are going to either get money once we are there or bring some with us. What do you suggest? What is the easiest way changing money or using the ATM. I have read some posts where the ATMS are not always working. Also should we take dollars for tips ect. or do they prefer their own currency. Thanks
Dec 17th, 2008 | 08:43 PM
#2
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,272
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I always use the local currency (even for tips) and often order some ahead online to get me through the 1st day or 2. Actually, it's more fun to go over and over and always save some from the previous trip. 
Every once in awhile you'll come across an ATM that's malfunctioning or empty but normally they're the way to go. I also take travelers checks as back up. Happy trails!
Every once in awhile you'll come across an ATM that's malfunctioning or empty but normally they're the way to go. I also take travelers checks as back up. Happy trails!
Dec 18th, 2008 | 05:06 AM
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,678
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We were ok using ATMs when we were there. But usually on a trip, we take $100 USD with us in cash, just so we have some cash if we find that we have trouble with an ATM on a particular day.
The one time I didn't do that was when we went to Paris a couple of years ago. For some reason, we weren't able to get any cash at the first few ATMs we tried. I didn't have any euros or USD with me. Just a small amount of Canadian. I ended up having to go to an American Express office and taking out a cash withdrawal on my credit card. Very annoying! A couple of days later, we had no problems using the ATMs so who knows what the problem was.
The one time I didn't do that was when we went to Paris a couple of years ago. For some reason, we weren't able to get any cash at the first few ATMs we tried. I didn't have any euros or USD with me. Just a small amount of Canadian. I ended up having to go to an American Express office and taking out a cash withdrawal on my credit card. Very annoying! A couple of days later, we had no problems using the ATMs so who knows what the problem was.
Dec 18th, 2008 | 06:08 AM
#5
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
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Always carry small denominated USD
de facto currency of guatemala
better for negotiation thanQuetzales
whose value is always eroding...
1USD=7.69Q today
Capital One no ATM fee Visa
is my back up use it for big charges
get the best rate can contest
bad service/charges always get
my money back that way...
de facto currency of guatemala
better for negotiation thanQuetzales
whose value is always eroding...
1USD=7.69Q today
Capital One no ATM fee Visa
is my back up use it for big charges
get the best rate can contest
bad service/charges always get
my money back that way...
Dec 18th, 2008 | 02:10 PM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
I am from the US so bringing dollars won't be a problem. We are a group of three traveling together so we always split up our money to carry. I will bring USD's, travlers checks, and my ATM card... It's hard to figure how much cash we might need because it sounds like I might want to buy more things on this trip..jade, textiles.. ect.. Thanks everyone for your help.
