Costs, Money and Banks
In May 2001 the US dollar became an official currency of Guatemala, alongside the quetzal ; the exchange rate at the time of writing was Q7.90 to US$1. Both currencies are accepted countrywide, with small change usually being given in quetzales. Guatemala is an extremely cheap country to travel in. It's certainly possible for budget travellers to survive on around US$100 a week in Guatemala by sleeping in simple hospedajes, eating at comedores, travelling by local bus and going easy on the beers. Your wallet will suffer in tourist towns like Antigua and Panajachel, and you'll pay for any indulgences like wine, taxis or shuttle buses. The extremely self-disciplined or fiscally challenged could survive in somewhere like San Pedro La Laguna for as little as US$60 a week. If you can afford to burn a few more quetzales, however, and desire a hotel room with private bath, more varied food and want to take the odd shuttle bus, reckon on US$200 a week. Guatemala has some spectacular hotels at the luxury end of the market - to travel in real style , reckon on paying on around US$80 a day, for which you can expect accommodation with period character (plus modern amenities), shuttle buses and the best food in town. Remember that leaving the country you'll be charged an airport tax of US$30, payable in cash (either dollars or quetzales) only. Travellers' cheques offer one of the safest ways to carry money, with American Express, Thomas Cook, Mastercard, and Citibank cheques being accepted in most banks. It's not a sensible idea to take cheques issued in any currency other than US$ - though Lloyds Bank (branches in Guatemala City, Antigua, Puerto Barrios and Escuintla) will cash sterling travellers' cheques, albeit at poor rates. Credit cards are widely accepted in upmarket hotels, selected restaurants and most travel agencies. You'll need to pay by cash in most smaller hotels and restaurants. Cards may also be used in the country's network of ATMs; if you've a Visa card (by far the most useful) Banco Industrial is the first place to head for. Mastercard holders will have much more of a problem finding functioning ATMs, though all branches of Banco G & T Continental should give you an advance. If you have a debit card , the Plus system (networked with Visa) is by far the most useful, and there's at least one ATM in most towns. Cirrus cardholders will really struggle to find functioning ATMs in Guatemala, though there are outlets in the capital.
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