Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Many schools offer gimmicks to get you in, like a half hour of free internet per day, which ends up saving you around
Q2.50 per day - should these little perks really sway your judgment?
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What is the general atmosphere of the school? Serious students probably won't fit in at a school whose activities in-
clude all-night bar crawls, and party animals may feel out of place at schools with names like the Christian Spanish
Academy.
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Does the school offer opportunities for voluntary work - eg visiting hospitals?
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If the school claims to be involved in social/community projects, is it a serious commitment, or just a marketing ploy?
For (completely unverified) reviews of some of Guatemala's Spanish schools by ex-students, check out
Legal Matters
You may find that police officers in Guatemala might, at times, be somewhat unhelpful. Generally speaking, the less you
have to do with the law, the better.
Whatever you do, don't get involved in any way with illegal drugs - even if the locals seem to do so freely. As a for-
eigner, you are at a distinct disadvantage, and you may be set up by others. Drug laws in Guatemala are strict, and
though enforcement may be uneven, penalties are severe. If you do get caught doing something you shouldn't, your best
line of defence is to apologize, stay calm and proceed from there.
Money
Guatemala's currency, the quetzal (ket-
sahl,
abbreviated to Q), was fairly stable at around Q7.5 = US$1 for years, but in
recent years it has been hovering around Q8. The quetzal is divided into 100 centavos.
Many banks give cash advances on Visa cards, and some on MasterCard. You can pay for many purchases with these
cards or with American Express (Amex) cards, but always ask if there is a
recargo
(transaction fee).
Cash
Cash is king in Guatemala, although carrying too much of it makes getting robbed a bigger pain than it would otherwise
be. Some towns suffer from change shortages: always try to carry a stash of small bills. Keep a small supply of low-de-
nomination US dollars (which are accepted pretty much anywhere, at various rates of exchange) as an emergency fund.
Currencies other than the US dollar are virtually useless, although a small handful of places now change euros.
ATMs
You'll find ATMs (cash machines,
cajeros automáticos
) for Visa/Plus System cards in all but the smallest towns, and
there are MasterCard/Cirrus ATMs in many places too, so one of these cards is the best basis for your supply of cash in
Guatemala. The 5B network is widespread and particularly useful, as it works with both Visa and MasterCard cards.
Be aware that card skimming is as rife in Guatemala as it is in the rest of the world. Avoid ATMs that are left un-
guarded at night (ie those in the little room out front of the bank) and look for one that is in a secure environment (such
as those inside supermarkets, shopping malls etc). Failing that, keep your hand covered when entering your PIN and
check your balance online.
