If you’re looking at the exchange rate for 1 US dollar Haitian gourde right now, you’re probably seeing a number somewhere around 131 HTG.
It’s a heavy number. It’s a number that tells a story of a country’s struggle, its resilience, and a whole lot of economic "it’s complicated."
But honestly? Just looking at a currency converter doesn't tell you the half of it. If you’re sending money to Port-au-Prince or trying to price out a project in Cap-Haïtien, the "official" rate is often just a polite suggestion.
The Reality of 1 US Dollar Haitian Gourde in 2026
Right now, as of mid-January 2026, the Banque de la République d'Haïti (BRH) has the reference rate hovering near 130.72 to 131.00 gourdes per USD.
But here is the thing: nobody actually trades at exactly that rate on the street.
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In Haiti, the economy breathes through two lungs—the official banking system and the informal "parallel" market. You've probably heard people call it the black market, but in Haiti, it's just... the market. If you go to a commercial bank, they might tell you they don't have any dollars to sell you, even if the rate is posted right there on the glass. Then you walk outside, and a guy with a wad of cash can do the deal in thirty seconds, though he might charge you 135 or 140 gourdes for that same dollar.
It’s a classic liquidity squeeze.
Why Does the Rate Keep Moving?
It’s tempting to blame it all on "instability," but that’s a lazy answer. The real mechanics are a bit more technical. Haiti's economy is basically fueled by remittances—the money the diaspora sends back home from places like Miami, Montreal, and Paris.
According to recent World Bank data, these remittances make up roughly 20% to 25% of Haiti’s total GDP. When that flow slows down, or when people get scared and hold onto their USD, the gourde starts to slide.
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- Inflation is the ghost in the machine. In early 2026, Haiti is still wrestling with an inflation rate near 27%. When prices for bread and fuel go up every week, people lose faith in the gourde. They want dollars.
- The "Surrender" Rule. The BRH sometimes requires banks to "surrender" a portion of the US dollars they receive from remittances. The goal is to keep the central bank’s reserves high, but the side effect is often a shortage of cash in the hands of regular people.
- Political vacuum. Without a fully functioning parliament or a settled political roadmap, foreign investment is basically at a standstill. When no new money is coming in from the outside, the existing dollars become more expensive.
What 131 Gourdes Actually Buys You
To understand the weight of 1 US dollar Haitian gourde, you have to look at what that money does on the ground. A decade ago, 100 gourdes could buy you a decent meal. Today? It barely covers a small bottle of water and maybe a piece of street bread if you’re lucky.
The "Haitian Dollar" confusion is another thing that trips up outsiders. Even though it hasn't existed as a physical currency for generations, many Haitians still price things in "dollars" at a fixed 5-to-1 ratio.
So, if someone says something costs "50 dollars," they don't mean 50 USD. They mean 250 gourdes. It's a mental math game that every local plays instantly, but it makes the exchange rate even more confusing for travelers or new investors.
The 2026 Outlook: Will It Stabilize?
Experts like Rocheny Sifrain, who recently published work in the Journal of Financial Risk Management, point out that Haiti’s exchange rate is deeply tied to "financial fragility." Basically, the system doesn't have enough shock absorbers.
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If a hurricane hits or if there’s a spike in gang violence that closes the port, the gourde drops. If there’s a temporary truce or a big aid package, it might tick back up.
But looking at the charts from 2024 through the start of 2026, the trend has been a slow, grinding depreciation. The gourde isn't crashing like it did a few years ago, but it’s definitely not "strong."
How to Handle Your Money Right Now
If you are dealing with 1 US dollar Haitian gourde transactions this week, here is the smart way to move:
- Check the BRH Daily. Always look at the official site first to see the floor.
- Use Digital Apps for Remittances. Companies like Zepz (WorldRemit) or Western Union often have better transparency on the spread than small local kiosks.
- Keep Small Change. If you have USD, don't try to change a $100 bill all at once. Small denominations give you more leverage and are easier to spend if you can't find someone with enough change in gourdes.
- Hedge Your Costs. If you're running a business, try to keep your cash in USD for as long as possible. Only convert to gourdes exactly what you need for immediate payroll or local supplies.
The exchange rate is more than just a number on a screen; it's a reflection of how much risk the market thinks Haiti is carrying at any given second. Right now, that risk is priced at about 131 to 1.
Keep a close eye on the central bank's weekly interventions. If the BRH starts injecting dollars into the market, you might see a temporary 2% or 3% gain for the gourde, which is the perfect time to handle any large local payments you’ve been putting off.