Guatemala ATM Travel Guide
ATMs in Guatemala are known to pose some challenges…
There are high withdrawal fees, low withdrawal limits and countless scam warnings that make tourists weary of looking for a ‘safe’ ATMs in Guatemala. For these occasions there’s an alternative solution outlined below.
Problems can arise from there being no ATMs in small towns or empty ATMs, to ATMs that only accept Visa cards from certain countries and reject MasterCard.
Examples being in Santa Catarina, El Remate (Peten Lake) and Iximche.
If there are no ATMs close by, the ATMs in Guatemala are not working with your card, or you want to avoid paying ATM fees, check back here for our guide below. It explains how you can send yourself money online and pick it up at an authorized local cash pick up point.
It is a very similar process to buying something on the internet with your debit card and is probably the quickest way to send yourself money online to Guatemala.
What’s more, it’s convenient, safe and cheaper than paying high ATM withdrawal fees allowing you to transfer more than the maximum ATM limit.
As this method is especially useful in certain places, we have provided separate guides for these (click link for destination specific guide):
Here are two useful links to find the nearest ATMs in Guatemala : Visa / MasterCard
Guatemala ATM Fees & General Information
ATMs in Guatemala are called ‘Cajero Automatico’ or ‘Cajero’. To find one, you can ask ‘donde esta un cajero automatico’… and hopefully understand the directions given.
Many ATMs in Guatemala charge high fees. Expect to pay between 20 to 45 Quetzales. Often these machines are next to each other, so it’s useful to know which to choose.
The Yellow 5B ATMs and other standalone cash machines tend to be towards the higher end, so be aware of these machines.
Your best bet would be to use a BAC Guatemala cash machine as fees are amongst the lowest.
You will also probably get charged a fee by your own bank.
Having a TransferWise MasterCard can help reduce your home bank fees and gives a great exchange rate on purchases. With their borderless account / card you can hold your money in more than 40 currencies and use the debit card to get your cash out with low conversion fees and zero transaction fees. Click here for more info.
Withdrawal limits depend on the bank, and generally range from 2000 to 3000 Quetzales. This means multiple transactions are usually needed and transaction fees can mount up.
Major hotels take debit/credit cards, but cheaper accommodations, tourist sites and restaurants tend to only take cash. It’s best to have small denominations as change can be a problem in smaller businesses.
You’ll find Visa is the most commonly accepted card at ATMs in Guatemala, though there are an increasing number that also accept Cirrus/MasterCard.
Unfortunately, ATM fraud in Guatemala is not uncommon….. Check out our Travel Money Tips for what to look out for and more general information covering pre-trip planning, fees, scams, and general safety.
Getting Cash Without Using The ATMs In Guatemala:
– Send Money To Guatemala & Pick Cash Up Locally
With so many overseas workers now sending money home to their families, there are lots of local cash pick up points to collect these funds.
By tapping into this network, you can use your ATM card (debit/credit) or bank details to securely send yourself funds online through a reputable International money transfer service. See below for online services that have partnerships with domestic money transfer agents in Guatemala where you can pick up your money within a few hours.
This means when there’s no ATM you can still withdraw cash within a few hours, and what’s more, it’s often more convenient, safe and cheaper than paying ATM withdrawal fees.
Option 1: World Remit
Check to see if there is a local authorized cash pick-up point where you are. Click HERE for a list of locations.
In Guatemala, this is any branch of:
- Banco Desarrollo Rural
- Banco Elektra
- Banco GYT Continental
- Fenacoac
- Banco Industrial de Guatemala
If there’s a branch locally, then download the World Remit App HERE.
Make your transfer and use the promo code ‘FREE’ to get your first transfer FEE-FREE!
They also offer £5 cashback once you send £50 or more by signing up using refer a friend code MARKT64
Option 2: Ria Money Transfer, Panda Remit, Sendwave & Transfergo
Ria Money Transfer, Panda Remit, Sendwave & Transfergo all work the same way as WorldRemit.
Explore what transfer you may make and what options you have to pick up cash somewhere close by.
Follow this link for Ria Money Transfer, this link for Panda Remit, this link for Sendwave and this link for Transfergo and
This may involve making an account / downloading their app.
Option 3 :
Moneygram and Western Union also offer similar services but can be a little pricier.
Sending Money To A Bank Account Instead
Option 1: World Remit
You can also use the above method to quickly transfer money to an overseas bank account, perhaps to pay for your accommodation or an activity.
For more information visit this FAQs section.
Option 2: Wise (formerly TransferWise)
This another service that also offers bank transfers. If you are new to the service, and follow THIS LINK, you will automatically pay NO FEES on your first transfer of up to £500 (or the equivalent amount in any other currency).
Arguably the best thing about them is that they give you the mid-market rate on the currency exchange, so it’s much cheaper than a traditional bank to bank wire transfer. You won’t need any SWIFT or IBAN numbers, just the name of the account holder, their account number, the bank name and branch location.
Option 3 : Xe Money Transfer or OFX
Xe Money Transfer have a handy app for converting currencies quickly. You can also send money directly through their app. Follow this link to see options.
OFX also offer bank to bank transfer, either through their website or app. Follow this link for more info.
We update this guide every month or so, however, if you have any feedback to help keep this guide up-to-date or make it more comprehensive and easier for others to follow, please Message us on Facebook
Useful Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala
*** ATMs In Guatemala ***