When you're trying to figure out how much 20 us to haitian dollars is worth, you aren't just looking for a number on a screen. You're probably trying to figure out if you can afford dinner in Pétion-Ville or how much to send home to family in Jacmel.
Let's get the math out of the way first. As of January 13, 2026, the official exchange rate is sitting right around 130.98 Haitian Gourdes (HTG) for every 1 US Dollar.
Basically, your $20 is worth roughly 2,620 Gourdes.
But here’s where it gets weird. If you talk to anyone on the ground in Port-au-Prince, they might start talking about "Haitian Dollars." This isn't a real bill you can hold. It's a concept. Since the era of the US occupation a century ago, many Haitians still calculate prices in a 5-to-1 ratio.
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So, if a street vendor tells you something costs "20 Haitian Dollars," they actually want 100 Gourdes. It’s confusing as heck for travelers, but honestly, it’s just how the local brain is wired to process value.
The Reality of 20 US to Haitian Dollars Today
Twenty bucks used to go a lot further. Nowadays, with inflation in Haiti hovering around 26% to 28%, that $20 bill feels a bit lighter than it did a few years ago.
Prices for basics like rice and oil have spiked. In June 2025, food inflation was hitting over 31%. While things have stabilized a tiny bit since then, you’re still looking at a high cost for imported goods.
If you take your 20 us to haitian dollars to a local market, here is a rough idea of what you can actually carry home:
- A large "mamit" (a standard local measuring tin) of dry white rice.
- About a dozen eggs.
- A small bottle of cooking oil.
- Maybe some local citrus or a few bananas if you bargain well.
That’s basically a couple of days of solid meals for a small family if they’re being careful. It’s not a feast, but it’s significant.
Eating Out and Transport
If you’re visiting, $20 is a "middle-of-the-road" amount.
A meal at a cheap, local "bouillon" spot or a roadside fried pork (griot) stand will run you maybe 600 to 900 Gourdes. That means your $20 covers you and a friend with some change left over.
However, if you head into a mid-range restaurant in a safer zone, a single main dish and a drink will easily eat up the entire $20. A coffee alone can cost about 660 HTG (roughly $5) in the fancier spots.
Transport is another story. A quick motorcycle taxi (moto-tap-tap) ride might only be 250 HTG ($1.90), but if you’re hiring a private driver for a few hours because of security concerns, that $20 will be gone in twenty minutes.
Why the "Haitian Dollar" Confusion Still Exists
It’s a ghost currency. There is no such thing as a "Haitian Dollar" bill.
When you see a price tag in a supermarket, it’s almost always in Gourdes. But the moment you hit the informal economy—which is most of Haiti—the "dollar" talk starts.
- The math: Take the Gourde price and divide by 5.
- The result: That’s the "Haitian Dollar" price.
- The confusion: If you’re thinking in US Dollars and they’re talking in Haitian Dollars, you might think something is five times cheaper (or more expensive) than it actually is.
If someone asks for "20 dollars" for a pile of oranges, they aren't asking for twenty greenbacks. They want 100 Gourdes. At the current rate of 20 us to haitian dollars, you could technically buy 26 of these "20-dollar" piles.
The Economic Backdrop in 2026
We have to be honest about the situation. The World Bank and IMF have been watching Haiti’s GDP contract for years. While there’s a tiny bit of projected growth for 2026 as investment slowly creeps back in, the "business environment" is still, well, tough.
The exchange rate has been volatile. We’ve seen it as high as 150 HTG and as low as 110 HTG in the last few years. This volatility means that 20 us to haitian dollars might buy you a full grocery bag one week and only two-thirds of it the next.
Most people sending remittances through Western Union or CAM are the backbone of the economy right now. Those $20 and $50 transfers are what keep the lights on for millions.
Actionable Tips for Handling Your Money
If you are currently holding US cash or planning a transfer, keep these points in mind:
- Small Bills are Gold: If you’re carrying US cash, 1s, 5s, and 10s are way easier to use. Many vendors can’t (or won't) give change for a $20 bill in USD.
- Check the "Taux de Référence": The BRH (Bank of the Republic of Haiti) sets a daily reference rate. Use their official site to make sure you aren't getting gouged at a private exchange house.
- Always Clarify the Currency: Before you agree to a price, ask "Gourdes ou Dollars Haïtiens?" It saves a lot of headaches and potentially saves you from overpaying by a factor of five.
- Use MonCash for Local Payments: If you're staying for a while, Digicel's MonCash is basically the way everyone pays for everything now. It’s safer than carrying 2,600 Gourdes in your pocket.
Managing 20 us to haitian dollars is really about understanding the two-tier system of the formal Gourde and the traditional "dollar" calculation. Once you get the 5-to-1 mental math down, navigating the markets becomes a lot less stressful.
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To get the most value, try to exchange your money at official banks rather than hotels, as hotels often take a "convenience fee" by giving you a lower rate, sometimes only 120 HTG per dollar instead of the 130+ HTG you deserve. Every Gourde counts when prices are rising.