ESSENTIALS - Guatemala - page 706

States. Among the local cartels, the most prominent are based in the eastern lowlands near
Zacapa (not an area frequented by foreign tourists), Izabal department, and the southern
part of Petén department near Sayaxché. Some travelers have reported run-ins with local
drug traffickers on private lands, but you're unlikely to be harmed as long as you adopt a
live-and-let-live attitude.
Cocaine consumption is an increasing problem among affluent Guatemalans, particu-
larly in Guatemala City night clubs. Drug use is strictly forbidden by law and you will be
throwninjailwithouthesitationforviolations.IfyouarearrivinginGuatemalabyairfrom
elsewhere in Latin America, drug-sniffing dogs will probably be on hand to greet your
flight and you may be questioned by authorities after clearing immigration procedures.
Information and Services
MONEY
Guatemala's currency is the quetzal, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar and denoted by Q.
TheexchangeratewasaboutQ7.68to1US$andithasremainedataboutthesameratefor
several years now. Bills come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 quetzales, though
at last report the Central Bank was planning to issue new Q1 bills printed on a polymer
hybrid form of paper in addition to Q200 and Q500 quetzal notes that might be in use by
the time of your visit. Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos (Q0.01,
Q0.05, Q0.10, Q0.25, Q.50) and Q1, though other than the one-quetzal coin they are more
ofanuisancethananythingelse.Often,ifyourchangeisafewcentavos,themerchant will
keep it.
In smaller towns and villages, you might have trouble breaking Q100 (or larger) notes,
so bring smaller bills with you if possible.
Exchange
Travelers have the option of getting around with cash U.S. dollars (which you will need to
at least partially exchange for local currency), travelers checks (American Express being
the most widely recognized and accepted), wire transfers (most expensive option), Visa or
MasterCard cash advances (watch those interest rates), or through ATMs linked to interna-
tional networks (recommended).
Banks
Banks in Guatemala tend to keep long hours, typically 9 A.M.-6 P.M. Monday-Friday and
9 A.M.-1 P.M. on Saturday. Changing money and travelers checks at banks is relatively