Guatemala, a country of stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is a mosaic of volcanic landscapes, ancient Mayan ruins, and vibrant indigenous cultures. From the awe-inspiring Tikal to the picturesque Lake Atitlán, and from the colourful markets of Chichicastenango to the colonial charm of Antigua, Guatemala offers a unique blend of history and nature. To ensure a seamless journey through this captivating country, it’s important to understand the local currency and cash, ATMs in Guatemala and the various payment options available. This guide will provide you with the financial knowledge needed to explore Guatemala’s wonders with ease and confidence, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its diverse and enchanting beauty.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Guatemala?
Guatemala has 5000+ ATMs, primarily in cities and towns. ATMs are not present in small towns, so plan accordingly. They’re usually available at major airports, central markets, and main tourist streets.
You can find ATMs at:
- Major airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Main tourist streets,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Bank branches,
- Some corporate buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports,
- Islands,
- Regional bus stops,
- Interior of the villages,
- In small towns, off the main roads.
Best ATMs to use in Guatemala for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Guatemala are those by:
5B,
Banco Industrial (BI), and
BAC Credomatic.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
Global ATM alliance: Global ATM Alliance is a partnership among many banks in the world to allow its customers to withdraw cash from all partner banks abroad without any ATM fee. Many banks in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America are part of the Global ATM Alliance, including Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and others. BUT, there is no local bank in Guatemala part of this network. So don’t rely on this.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Guatemala, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in GTQ).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Guatemala, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in GTQ’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Guatemala?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Guatemala. ATMs in Guatemala will mainly accept Visa and Mastercard. Some of them may accept Cirrus and Plus cards. Do not expect ATMs in Guatemala to accept JCB, UnionPay, Amex, Diners, Discover, Rupay or Maestro cards.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Guatemala.
What are the ATM opening hours?
Majority of the ATMs are open 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them day or night because many of them are standalone / self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, ATMs inside some bank branches may only be accessible only from 9 am to 3 pm, mainly for security reasons.
What do they call ATMs in Guatemala?
Words ‘Cajero’ or ‘ATM’ is commonly used or ATMs are branded only with the ATM’s brand name. They are often also identified with their bright colours – either yellow, blue or red/white.
PIN type
ATMs in Guatemala primarily accept 4-digit PINs. Longer PINs are generally not accepted.
Languages at ATMs in Guatemala
Guatemalan ATMs provide services in Spanish and English. If you’re not familiar with these languages, the live camera translation feature on Google Translate can be a lifesaver. Though, use it slowly and carefully as translations are not always accurate.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Europe.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Guatemala?
ATMs in Guatemala dispense only the official currency Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). There is no option to withdraw foreign currencies like USD, EUR, GPB or others.
ATM withdrawal limits in Guatemala?
ATMs in Guatemala have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of Q 2,000. Some ATMs allows to withdraw up to Q 2,500 or even Q 10,000 in one transaction but only at a few locations – mainly tourist spots.
ATM Fees in Guatemala?
There are usually no fee-free ATMs in Guatemala. ATMs in Guatemala typically charge between Q 31.2 to Q 69.8 per transaction as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders (Guatemalan Quetzal). Even at the same ATM, different types of cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc. and based on the country of card’s issue.) will be charged different fees. Only one bank ATM offers fee-free withdrawals to some specific foreign cards only. So, there are nearly no fee-free options Guatemala for a foreign cardholder.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Guatemala – something every traveller handling cash in Guatemala should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Guatemala?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Guatemala?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Guatemala. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Guatemala.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Guatemala ATMs?
Typically, yes. ATMs on themselves work well, many of them tend to have security cameras and some even have security guards. However, in general, it is not safe to carry a lot of cash in Guatemala, especially after dark. To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Guatemala takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retrieve your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
No, it is usually not possible. There are usually no fee-free ATMs in Guatemala. ATMs in Guatemala typically charge between Q 31.2 to Q 69.8 per transaction as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders (Guatemalan Quetzal). Even at the same ATM, different types of cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc. and based on the country of card’s issue.) will be charged different fees. Only one bank ATM offers fee-free withdrawals to some specific foreign cards only. So, there are nearly no fee-free options Guatemala for a foreign cardholder.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Guatemala?
Yes. ATMs in Guatemala typically accept credit cards from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and other countries.
Bitcoin ATMs?
No, there are no Bitcoin ATMs in Guatemala.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Guatemala
Bank of America: None at all.
Citbank: Not present.
Barclays: Not present.
HSBC: None at all.
Standard Chartered: Not present.
