[capt911k]

I haven't been to Guatemala in about 14 years. So I really don't rember how far the money will go. I have looked at the exchange rates, but with out something to compare it to, it really didn't help much...

As far as I can figure it the exchange rate is approximately 7.6 - 1.

What do thing cost if you go out into the economy????

The hotel cost seem fairly standard for like a smaller U.S. town.

Are you better getting the local currency or using dollars?

Not that it matters a whole lot I'm curious more than anything else.

What kind of prices for things can I expect?

[resabelle]

We are probably not the best example as we did not venture away from the hotel very much. We adopted two kids and did many things within the hotel.

That being said, we took lots of $5 and $1 bills. They use American currency alot and they were fine with us tipping people that helped us with American currency... at least it was that way when we were there. I did feel prices (food) were similar to the small hometown as you said. Gifts are quite reasonable in my opinion.

[drjeanne]

Actually, we thought the Radisson was QUITE a good deal....we got an entire family suite for $80 a night and that included free breakfast for 2! Gifts, even in the hotel gift shops, were very reasonable too. Restaurants were also quite reasonable. We ate a very authentic Gautemalan meal at a lovely restaurant for around $30. If you like beer, local beers such as Gallo are reasonable at around $2 per bottle. In the Central Market, if you go looking for gifts, you'll come away with many treasures and not spend much money at all! When my DH travelled on the public bus, it was 1 quetzale to go anywhere around town. We paid for our fostermom to go home by taxi. She lived 40 minutes away and the ride cost 16 dollars. Just to give you an idea. And, even though reasonable at the hotel, things ARE less expensive outside the hotel area! For instance, at the pharmacy opposite our hotel, our baby's formula cost $9 a can but, in the town supermarket it was $6 a can. Hope this gives you an idea! We've only been once, and that was recently, so, I'm sure others might be able to share more!

Good luck and have fun! It's an amazing place and I hope you have an amazing trip!
Jeanne

[lsk]

When we have gone we've taken a lot of $10, $5, and $1 bills. People really don't seem to care if they are paid in quetzals or american dollars. THe exchange rate is about 7.5 quetzels for every dollar. We have always stayed in Antigua, because that is where are baby is, but almost everyone in the market, or in stores, carries a calculator and shows you the price in both currencies. I didn't find one or the other went further, it always came out to about the same.

I found prices compare to prices here in the USA with a few exceptions (Resturaunts, cafes, clothing etc are similarily priced) Groceries are definitely less expensive there. Formula and diapers are less expensive, but not by much. We bought a lot of items that you can only get in Guatemala, so it is hard to compare those to prices here. THey have absolutely beautiful textiles, and we probably went overboard with those.

Taxis, transportation, and tours are definitely inexpensive. Even looking through some of the ruins and museums in Antigua cost the equivelent of about 50 cents.

Have a wonderful pick up trip. I hope to be not too far behind you!

[grommy]

DH is down there now and said he had to get some
Quetzales for a coffee shop he found that would not take dollars, so he did exchange some dollars at the hotel 7.45 rate (hotel service chargeso he could get his coffee fix when he was out and about. He had paid for lots of other restuarants, taxis, diapers in dollars and said everything is reasonably priced -- nothing outrageous.
DH and teens are having a good time raving about the wonderful food and the sweet people!!