Trying to figure out how many gourdes you'll actually get for your cash in Port-au-Prince right now is a bit of a headache. If you're looking for the taux du jour haiti 100 us today, you’ve probably noticed that the numbers on your screen don't always match the reality at the "cambiste" on the street corner or the teller at Unibank.
As of Saturday, January 17, 2026, the exchange rate environment in Haiti remains tense but oddly stable compared to the wild swings we saw a few years back. The Banque de la République d'Haïti (BRH) has set the official reference rate at approximately 130.56 HTG for 1 USD.
But wait. If you have a 100-dollar bill in your pocket, don't just multiply it by 130 and call it a day.
The Math Behind Your 100 Dollars Right Now
Basically, if you are looking at the official BRH reference rate for today, 100 USD is worth 13,056.25 Haitian Gourdes.
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However, there is a massive gap—what locals call the "spread"—between the official bank rate and the informal market. Honestly, most people aren't getting that 130 rate. Depending on where you go, you've got three different "realities" for your money:
- The BRH Reference Rate: 130.56 HTG. This is what the government uses and what's published on the official BRH website.
- The Commercial Bank Buy Rate: Most banks like Sogebank or Capital Bank are buying your dollars at a slightly lower rate, often around 130.33 HTG.
- The Informal Market (Street Rate): This is where it gets tricky. In places like Pétion-Ville or Delmas, the informal "buying" rate can climb as high as 135.90 HTG for a single dollar.
So, for that 100 US today, you might walk away with 13,033 HTG from a formal bank, or nearly 13,590 HTG from a trusted private broker. That’s a 500-gourde difference. In today's economy, that’s several meals.
Why the Rate Feels So Weird in 2026
You've probably noticed that the gourde hasn't totally collapsed lately, which is surprising given the news.
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The BRH has been aggressively intervening. They’ve been pumping millions of dollars into the market to keep the gourde from spiraling. It’s a bandage, sure, but it’s keeping the taux du jour haiti 100 us today from hitting 150 or 200.
But there is a catch. Banks often have "limitations" on how many dollars they will actually sell you. You might see a rate of 131 on the board, but when you try to buy $100 USD, the teller suddenly tells you they are "out of stock." This scarcity is what drives people to the informal market, even if the rates there are less regulated.
Real-world impact on prices
Everything in Haiti is tied to this number. When the rate for 100 US moves up by even 5 gourdes, the price of a bag of rice or a gallon of "gaz" (gasoline) in downtown Port-au-Prince reacts almost instantly. Since so much of what Haiti consumes is imported—from Dominican eggs to American poultry—the exchange rate is basically the heartbeat of the kitchen table.
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What You Should Do Before Exchanging Money
Don't just take the first offer.
First, check the BRH Twitter feed or website first thing in the morning. They usually post the "Taux de Référence" by 9:00 AM. This gives you a baseline so you don't get ripped off.
Second, be careful with the "market" rates. While the informal market offers more gourdes for your dollar, it comes with safety risks. Carrying large amounts of cash in certain areas is... well, it's not great right now. If you're receiving a transfer via Western Union or CAM, they are legally required to pay you out at the official rate or in the currency the sender specified (though USD payouts are notoriously hard to find).
Actionable Steps for Today:
- Compare the Spread: Check if the bank is offering at least 130 HTG. If they are offering 125, they are taking a massive cut.
- Verify Payout Currency: If you are sending 100 USD to family, ask the agent if they have "billets verts" (US bills) available. Often, they will force a conversion to Gourdes at the lower official rate.
- Use Digital Apps: Some fintech apps in Haiti are now offering slightly better internal conversion rates than physical bank branches to encourage digital transactions.
- Watch the News: Keep an eye on any announcements regarding "Bons BRH" or central bank interventions, as these usually signal a temporary strengthening of the gourde.
The reality of taux du jour haiti 100 us today is that the number on the screen is just a suggestion. Your actual purchasing power depends entirely on which side of the bank window you're standing on.