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

By: Sarah Carter

Sarah Carter — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 08:20:16 +0000

In reply to ake bono. Use booking sites like booking.com to prebook and prepay. That's how we did it.

By: ake bono

ake bono — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:39:19 +0000

How are you going to pay for hostels and also hotels in advance when many dont accept credit cards, especially around Lake Atitlan?!

By: Brenda Dehaan

Brenda Dehaan — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:51:25 +0000

We also used Booking.com, but one needs to read all of the details on the accommodations because even though they take your credit card number and you assume it will be paid using your card, they bury a notation that says “Cash only”

Just want to emphasize that we experienced the same ATM experience and Banco Industrial was our go to for exchanging US dollars to quetzals and on departure quetzals to dollars. Very fair exchange rate. Side note: Banks are VERY picky on the condition of your foreign money—no tears, markings of any sort (some of ours had a
small amount of black ink on edges), tape is an absolute disqualification. Make sure your own bank gives you crisp NEW bills or they will not be accepted!!!

We also had problems with our credit cards in the BI ATMs. Fortunately one of our debit cards did work. Dealing with your credit card carrier while out of
The country is a drag. My Citicard said I needed to get a special pin to use the card in Guatemala. Of course, this must be done BEFORE you leave as they will only mail it to you!

Anyway, we worked through our problems getting cash and had a wonderful month exploring Guatemala.

By: Jessy

Jessy — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:22:18 +0000

On September 13, 2024, at a 5B ATM in Antigua Guatemala:

EXCHANGE RATE: 1.00 USD = 7.06596 GTQ
MARKUP: 9.00 %
TRANSACTION AMOUNT: 290.12 USD

AMOUNT WITHDRAWN: 2,000.00 GTQ
COMMISSION: 49.99 GTQ
TOTAL: 2049.99 GTQ

By: Jon Teigrob

Jon Teigrob — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:50:55 +0000

In reply to Jon T. Paying for a hotel room with a credit card was reasonable,costing 2 dollars off the online exchange rate.As well other banks have more favorable exchange rates,seemed to be about 8 percent of the transaction,including the foreign bank fee.

By: Jon T

Jon T — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:46:09 +0000

Hello,thanks for your article.Withdrawing quetzals yesterday from a 5B atm in a Guatemala there was a cost of 49q,plus a 9 percent markup on the exchange rate from cdn dollars to quetzal.A withdrawl of
2000 quetzal cost 229 quetzal or 11.45 percent for the transaction

By: Marissa

Marissa — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 14:08:24 +0000

I find your tips very useful and accurate, people also when they see $ they sell you more expensive, I never thought in how many times we will use ATM machines but now with your tips l know. Thank you

By: Leo

Leo — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:03:53 +0000

In reply to Erika. Hi Erika, Thank you so much for the update. What are the fees for those atms?

By: Sarah Carter

Sarah Carter — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 02:35:57 +0000

In reply to Erika. Thanks so mucb for the update. I've added it into the post for everyone. Enjoy Guatemala!

By: Erika

Erika — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 11:56:40 +0000

As of January 2024 there are both BI and 5B at the airport after you exit customs upon arrival. They are located near the pay machines at the entrance of the parking garage across the street when you exit the airport.