Exchanging money in Guatemala

I have never had to wait that long to exchange TCs in Guatemala. Usually you stand in a separate line from regular customers and I also don't do this right before holidays when the bank will be very busy. Also I go very early in am when the bank is just going to open as I want to get any banking out of the way early on . I do the same in USA as bank lines can be fierce .

breezer - what ATM rate do you get after fees?

What does it really matter what the rate is? The banksters will rip you off for all the market will bear but the few cents charged for the convenience sure beats sure aggravation of having to waste time in line at a bank during banking hours and then getting that banks rate which could very well be higher than the ATM.

Also I have never tried to pay any bill anywhere in Guat withTCs. I just use them to keep my funds safe until I am ready to change them into cash. I am so unhappy I cannot use them in Mexico anymore.

patywolf - thank you for your helpful response.

breezer -Sorry, but I don't understand the last part of your answer. "and then getting that banks rate which could very well be higher than the ATM."
For me, a 5% fee is not pennies. How can one compare ways to exchange money without knowing the rates?

If I were to use my ATM card my bank charges me a flat five dollar fee just to have used the card and some times the bank I am using the ATM machine at charges another fee. Then there is a currency exchange fee. SoI just carry an ATM card but don't use it.

breezer -Sorry, but I don't understand the last part of your answer. "and then getting that banks rate which could very well be higher than the ATM."

The rate the bank you're changing your US$ TC's at could very well be higher than the rate your bank is charging you on your debit/credit card used at the ATM.

For me, a 5% fee is not pennies. How can one compare ways to exchange money without knowing the rates?

If you're paying 5% maybe you should switch banks.

I bought Quetzals at my local bank -- the rate was competitive. I then took some US $$ with me as well. I didn't have to change money, or find an ATM.....granted this was a short trip, 6 days, but I like to be prepared and don't care to spend my time hunting around for the best ways to get cash.

I just use them to keep my funds safe until I am ready to change them into cash.

I prefer to have my funds safely in my bank account until I withdraw them anytime, day, night, weekends, holidays at an ATM.

I also hate bank lines, last time I was in my bank branch was when I opened my account in 2010.

With ATM's, online banking and bill payments there is no reason to waste time in bank lines.

I've been staying at Casa Cristina for 8 years - 1 of my favorite hotels anywhere - and travelers checks have never been an option there for me; bummer if someone there told you ahead that they accepted them, never a happy surprise.

It was NOT a someone who told me they were accepted.

It was the OWNER who wrote me and told me that I could pay the balance by traveller's cheques. The deposit to hold the room had to be done by Paypal. All around a bad experience.

Her email to me: "If you wish to pay your stay only by credit card; you can pay the rest of your stay through PayPal before your arrival. If you pay the rest at the hotel, we only take cash or Travel Checks"

and again at the end of her email: " Important: Please note we only accept cash (Quetzals, Dollars) or Travelers Checks. There are several ATM machines in Antigua. If you wish to pay by credit card you can do it through PAYPAL."