ATMs in Guatemala: Fees, Limits & How to Avoid Overpaying [2026 Guide]

Guatemala is still very much a cash country.  You can use cards in some hotels and better restaurants in Antigua, Guatemala City and Lake Atitlán — but once you move beyond the main tourist hubs, cash wins every time.  If you’re wondering how much ATMs charge in Guatemala, which bank is best, how much you can withdraw, and whether airport machines are safe to use — here’s exactly what to expect in 2026.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER

When we travel we tend to pay for as much as possible in cash, even in 2025.  We carry an ATM card that has no foreign transaction fees and a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees.  Plus, because we’re cautious, we have spares.  One of the items on our list for each country we visit is how to obtain cash.  Here’s what we learnt about Cash and ATMs in Guatemala. We endeavor to keep this post up to date with current fees and rates – if you have further information please drop us a line in the comments and we’ll update the costs!

At a Glance: Money in Guatemala

• Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ / Q)
• Cash or Card? Mostly cash
• ATM Fee: Q25–Q49.99 per withdrawal
• Maximum Withdrawal: Usually Q2,000–Q3,000
• Best Way to Minimise Fees: Withdraw Q3,000 using ‘Other Amount’
• Airport ATMs: Yes, same fees as city machines
• USD Accepted? Sometimes, but poor exchange rate

The Currency in Guatemala -The Quetzal

The currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal. (GTQ)    It’s named after the national bird – the quetzal (ket-zal).  It used to be that in ancient Mayan culture, the tail feathers from the bird were used as currency.  The Quetzal is divided into 100 centavos.  (you might hear lenes, which is the local slang for centavos).

• Notes: Q1, Q5, Q10, Q20, Q50, Q100, Q200
• Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and Q1 coins.

Shops are extremely picky about damaged notes. If a bill is torn, heavily creased or ink-marked, it may be refused.

Exchanging Money in Guatemala

You can exchange money at major banks, but you must show your passport. Banks are strict about USD bills — $50 and $100 notes only, and they must be pristine. At land borders, informal money changers may offer better rates, but counterfeit notes are a real risk.  Most regular travelers avoid exchanging money altogether and use ATMs instead.

Credit Cards in Guatemala

Cards are accepted in large hotels, higher-end restaurants, and major supermarkets in cities.  Visa is the most widely accepted network. Many places add a surcharge, and rural Guatemala is almost entirely cash-based.  Discover is rarely accepted. Banco Industrial does not accept Discover. Some BAC and 5B machines advertise acceptance, but locations are limited.  Bring two bank cards from different accounts and store them separately.

ATM Networks in Guatemala

The three main ATM networks are:

• 5B (yellow machines)
• Banco Industrial – BI (silver and black)
• BAC Credomatic (red and white)

5B ATM Guatemala (The Yellow ATMs)

You’ll find more of these ATMs than any other in Guatemala.  They can be found at petrol/gas stations, Despensa Familiars, and shopping centers.  They are however EXPENSIVE when it comes to fees.  They may, however, be your only choice, as they tend to work when other ATMs don’t.

You can see the different withdrawal rates for Guatemalan ATM machines in the table below.

BAC Guatemala (Usually Red and White)

These will give up to 3,000 Quetzales per day (and per transaction).  There’s one under the colonnade around the edges of Central Park in Antigua.  You can also find a BAC ATM in Xela (Quetzaltenango) on the opposite side of the central park (in Zone 1) to the Xela Pan bakery.

BI Guatemala (Silver/Black)

We used BI more than any other ATMs because we were not charged ANY FEES for using these machines on our first trip to Guatemala.  That changed on our return and there are now usually fees on all BI ATMs in Guatemala. 

The maximum withdrawal is 2,000 Quetzales per transaction.  There’s a BI ATM inside the Despensa Familiar near the central park in Xela.  It’s right next to the 5B ATM in the same location.

ATM Fees & Withdrawal Limits (2026)

The first thing that you’ll find about ATMs is that they’re temperamental.  Sometimes you’ll need to put your card in (and pull it out) several times.  Depending on the ATM you need to leave your card in.  Or take it out.  While making the transaction.  As always follow the instructions on the screen.  And if it’s not accepting your card, give it another go.  Or five.

ATM Limits in Guatemala

There is a withdrawal limit on each ATM in Guatemala.  Sometimes this is per withdrawal (usually 2,000 to 3,000 Quetzals) and sometimes you can make multiple withdrawals per day.  I use the word sometimes a lot here because that’s the reality. 

An ATM of the same brand in a different location in the same city may have different rules to the one you just used.  Ask why and you’ll get a shrug.  Mostly, take what you can get and be thankful that the machine spits your card out again.

Table of Fees and Withdrawal Limits in Guatemala

Provider	Typical Withdrawal Limit	ATM Fee	Notes	Date
5B	Q2,000–Q3,000	Q45–Q49.99	Most common. Use ‘Other Amount’ to get Q3,000	Jan 2026
BAC	Up to Q3,000	Q25	Fewer locations. Accepts Discover at some machines	Feb 2026
BI (Banco Industrial)	Q2,000	No fee (observed)	Does not accept Discover	Jan 2026

Most machines initially offer Q2,000–Q2,500. Selecting ‘Other Amount’ often allows Q3,000 to be withdrawn.  Let me know if this works for you. Attempts above Q3,000 are usually declined.

How to Avoid Overpaying at ATMs

1. Choose ‘Other Amount’.
2. Enter Q3,000.
3. Accept the local ATM fee.
4. Decline the ATM’s exchange rate (Dynamic Currency Conversion).
   
   

Because the local ATM fee is flat, withdraw the maximum allowed rather than making multiple smaller withdrawals.

Airport ATMs (Guatemala City – GUA)

The Guatemala City (La Aurora) Airport ATMs are AFTER you exit customs on arrival. The ATMS at La Aurora Airport are for both BI and 5B. You’ll find them near the pay machines at the parking garage entrance. It’s across the street when you exit the airport.

Airport ATMs charge the same local fee as city machines (around Q39–Q49.99). They occasionally run out of cash. GUA mainly has 5B and BI machines.

Finding ATMs in Guatemala

Just because you see a map entry for a bank in Guatemala it doesn’t mean that there’s an ATM there.  ATM’s and banks don’t necessarily co-locate.   An ATM in Guatemala is called a “Cajero Automatico”.  Or Cajero.  You might see signs for Cajera too.    If you’re asking for directions, then this phrase will help you.

¿Donde esta un cajero automatico?”

Paying for Things in Guatemala

You’ll need cash for taxis, local buses, markets, street food, and rural guesthouses.  Cards are usually accepted at major supermarkets such as La Torre and La Despensa.

Use Cash in Guatemala

Guatemala is primarily a cash society.  Certainly for us.  That’s usually because most of the places we eat at, and the buses and transport options we catch, operate in a cash society.  Most of our purchases (food, bus tickets, occasionally water, etc) are small ticket items. 

Even, when you look at the top places to visit in Guatemala nothing is particularly expensive. So, whipping out a credit card to pay for a US$1.50 bill for two coffees just doesn’t feel right.  It also makes sense to us not to use a credit card for a number of reasons.  Most places, unless you’re traveling at the very high end do NOT accept credit cards at all.

Don’t Use Credit Cards In Guatemala

We rarely use credit cards.  In Guatemala, we didn’t use it once.  That’s for a number of reasons. 

Most of our spending is small  A couple of cups of coffee or a few tacos.

We buy from small shops (tiendas), market stalls, or street food vendors. Don’t even begin to think that they accept credit cards

In most countries, there will be a credit card fee. It may be laid out as an additional charge or built into the pricing.  We found this (as a shock to the system) in Australia and New Zealand.    Here in Guatemala, it’s around 8%.    You read that right.  EIGHT PERCENT.

The more times I get out my credit card and have someone wander off with it, or it put into paper or electronic swipes, the more chance I have of getting it cloned, stolen, or misused. Trying to get a new credit sent to us while we’re on the move isn’t something I really want to contemplate.

Advice on Cash in Guatemala

Don’t carry all your money with you all the time. Or in one place.  Be smart and take a portable travel safe to lock your belongings away in when you travel.

Smaller shops, buses, and restaurants will struggle to break a 100 quetzales note for you. Split larger notes and keep change with you.

Be sure to get your change when on a bus – “sencillo, por favour”

We’ll keep updating this as the situation changes.  Keep us posted with the latest on ATMs in Guatemala and we’ll keep this post updated.

Save Money on Accommodation in Guatemala

One of the ways you can save money on ATM fees is to pre-book and prepay your accommodation using popular sites, so you don’t need to get cash out..  Pay for Hotels and hostels in advance online.  Booking and paying for your accommodation online means you’ll save the need for cash. 

This meant using a booking site that allowed us to pay in advance on a credit card where possible. We used Booking to get the best deals in Guatemala and also to book our rooms and pay for them before we arrived.

Save on Booking Transport in Guatemala

Your transport between places can be an expensive drain on your cash resources.  You can book transport between many locations in Guatemala using Bookaway. You can check all bookable routes here.

Booking Tours in Guatemala

Whether you want to take a workshop or cook with locals, climb a volcano, visit Tikal or explore Antigua – book your adventure in advance and you’ll save.

If you’re traveling to other countries, then our guides to ATMs and ATM fees are here – Chile ATM fees, Colombia ATM fees, Laos ATM fees, and Japan ATM fees.

Travel Tips for Exploring Guatemala

• Get Travel Insurance: Civitatis includes medical expenses, repatriation, theft, luggage delays. No deductibles or upfront payments. Get a quote here.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM – one SIM for the whole world, data never expires.
• Download and install a VPN BEFORE you travel to Guatemala > discount coupon here
• Read about ATM fees in Guatemala here.
• Book the best tours and attractions in Guatemala
  • FREE Walking Tours in Guatemala with Civitatis
  • Or with GetYourGuide
• Book Buses & Trains in Guatemala with Bookaway – use NOMAD5 for a discount
• Book accommodation in Guatemala with Booking

Final Advice on ATMs in Guatemala

Expect to pay Q25–Q49.99 per withdrawal. Withdraw Q3,000 where possible, decline dynamic conversion, and assume you’ll need cash for most daily spending outside major tourist hubs.  We hope you find this guide to ATMs in Guatemala useful. Let us know if you have updates so that they’re available for others traveling.

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