If you’ve ever looked at a Guatemalan bill and seen that bright green bird staring back at you, you’ve held more than just paper. You’ve held the Quetzal. Named after the bird whose tail feathers were once literally used as currency by the Mayans, this money has a weirdly steady reputation in a part of the world where currencies usually bounce around like a rubber ball.
Right now, if you’re looking to swap 1 quetzal in usd, you’re looking at about $0.13.
Basically, for every 7.6 or 7.7 Quetzales you have, you’ve got one US dollar. It’s been stuck in this range for years. Honestly, it’s one of the most stable exchange rates in Latin America, which is kind of a miracle when you consider the economic rollercoasters happening in neighboring countries. But there is a lot more to the story than just a decimal point on a conversion app.
Why 1 quetzal in usd hasn't changed in forever
Most people expect currencies in Central America to be volatile. You think of inflation, political shifts, or market crashes. But the Quetzal is a different beast. The Banco de Guatemala (Banguat) manages what they call a "crawling peg" or a managed float.
They don't just let the market go wild.
If the Quetzal starts moving too fast in either direction, the central bank steps in. They buy or sell dollars to keep things chilled out. In 2026, we are seeing this stability continue even as global trade shifts.
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There's also the "remittance" factor. Millions of Guatemalans living in the US send billions of dollars home every year. This massive inflow of USD creates a constant supply of greenbacks in the local economy. It acts like a giant anchor, keeping the value of 1 quetzal in usd from drifting too far away from that thirteen-cent mark.
The real-world purchasing power
So, what does $0.13 actually get you? In New York? Nothing. You can't even buy a stick of gum.
In Guatemala City or Antigua? It’s a different game.
- A single Quetzal might get you a small piece of artisanal candy (dulce típico) in a local market.
- It might buy you a couple of corn tortillas, hand-slapped and hot off the comal.
- It used to be the price of a local bus ride (urbanos), though prices there have been creepily climbing toward 2 or 5 Quetzales depending on the route and the hour.
If you’re a traveler, you’ve gotta stop thinking in ones. You think in tens and hundreds. A nice lunch is maybe 60 to 80 Quetzales ($8 - $10 USD). A fancy hotel in Lake Atitlán might run you 1,200 Quetzales. When you break it down, the "thirteen cents" math makes Guatemala feel affordable but not "dirt cheap" like it might have been twenty years ago.
The 2026 Outlook: Will the Quetzal finally break?
Economists like Gabriela García-Quinn have pointed out that Guatemala has the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the region. That’s a fancy way of saying the country isn't broke. Because they don't owe everyone money, there isn't as much pressure to devalue the currency.
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However, things are changing.
The government is currently pushing a massive Sustainable Tourism Master Plan for 2026. They want to double the number of tourists by 2036. More tourists mean more foreign currency coming in. Usually, that makes a local currency stronger. If the plan works, we might see 1 quetzal in usd creep up toward $0.14 or $0.15.
But Banguat is cautious. They hate sudden moves. They know that if the Quetzal gets too "strong," it hurts the farmers who export coffee, sugar, and bananas. If 1 USD only buys 6 Quetzales instead of 7.7, those farmers suddenly earn less money for the same amount of work. It’s a delicate, annoying balance.
What about the "Digital Quetzal"?
You've probably heard the rumors about Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). While El Salvador went all-in on Bitcoin, Guatemala has been way more skeptical. They aren't trying to replace the Quetzal with a crypto-token anytime soon. They prefer the bird.
Still, the way you spend that $0.13 is changing. In 2026, digital wallets and QR code payments are exploding in places like Xela and Huehuetenango. You don't always need the physical bill with the bird on it anymore, but the value—that $0.13—remains the baseline for everything.
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How to get the best rate when swapping
If you're heading to the Land of Eternal Spring, don't get scammed at the airport. The booths at Aurora International Airport (GUA) are notorious for giving you a "tourist rate." You might get 7 Quetzales for a dollar instead of 7.6. That sounds small, but on a $500 exchange, you’re losing 300 Quetzales. That’s a whole nice dinner and a bottle of wine gone.
- Use the ATMs: Usually, the "Cajero" (ATM) will give you the best market rate for 1 quetzal in usd. Just make sure your bank doesn't charge a $5 fee every time you pull out cash.
- Local Banks: If you have to swap cash, go to a Banco Industrial or Banrural. You'll need your passport. It takes forever. You'll stand in line. But you'll get the real rate.
- Credit Cards: Most places in the cities take cards now. The conversion is handled by Visa or Mastercard, and it's usually very fair.
The bottom line on 1 quetzal in usd
The Quetzal is a survivor. It survived civil wars, volcanic eruptions, and global pandemics without losing its footing. While the US dollar has its own inflation problems, the Quetzal has managed to mirror it almost perfectly.
If you are planning a move or a trip, budget for the 7.7 to 1 ratio. It hasn't moved much in a decade, and unless there's a massive shift in the 2026 export market, it’s staying right where it is.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the current interbank rate on a site like XE or Oanda before you land. If you’re a business owner looking to source products from Guatemala, look into "Forward Contracts" to lock in the $0.13 rate, just in case the new tourism boom actually pushes the Quetzal's value up. For travelers, always carry a mix of 20 and 50 Quetzal bills; nobody in a village market has change for a 200 bill, which is only about $26 anyway.