General Info

[Eboniman]

I'd also like to report atm troubles. Right there in the zona viva (zone 10), I used the atm machine next to the shopping mall entrance. (passed hooters where all the taxis park).

I first tried 300. I thought that was too much and tried 200. I just figured it wouldn't work so I didn't try again at any other machines.

This was, oh, about 4 days ago now.

[Riodulce]

i had basically a nightmare when i was in guatemala. i had 6 credit cards and none of them would work at the atms. my debit card would not. the banks wouldnt take the debit card because it said debit even though it was a credit card linked to my account. I literally went to every atm in zona 10 and none of my cards would work. I finally talked one bank into letting me use my check card at there bank. they were convinced it wouldnt work but it did. it was basically a nightmare that i avoiding by luckily taking some cash with me from the states. Then I went to antigua and the same problem happened. i spent almost two days going to the banks and was able to take out limited cash on my emergency credit cards because they had limits for cash advance. the fucked up think about it, my check card worked at the first atm i used in el salvador and every atm i used in nicaragua. i was planning on returning to guatemala but i said fuck it because of the problem and stayed in managua. so my advice is dont count on the atms in guatemala and bring some cash.

I live in Guatemala and know many people who use there cards here without a problem. I suspect that a hold might have been put on your cards(s) after you used it once in Guatemala. Card Security frequently will do that when a charge suddenly appears outside of your normal area of activity. They think that the card or card number may have been stolen and they wait for you to call them and ask what's up.

[Albert Punter]

I had same experience, as I was unable to withdraw money with a credit card from various atm's.

[Illini333]

i had basically a nightmare when i was in guatemala. i had 6 credit cards and none of them would work at the atms. my debit card would not. the banks wouldnt take the debit card because it said debit even though it was a credit card linked to my account. I literally went to every atm in zona 10 and none of my cards would work. I finally talked one bank into letting me use my check card at there bank. they were convinced it wouldnt work but it did. it was basically a nightmare that i avoiding by luckily taking some cash with me from the states. Then I went to antigua and the same problem happened. i spent almost two days going to the banks and was able to take out limited cash on my emergency credit cards because they had limits for cash advance. the fucked up think about it, my check card worked at the first atm i used in el salvador and every atm i used in nicaragua. i was planning on returning to guatemala but i said fuck it because of the problem and stayed in managua. so my advice is dont count on the atms in guatemala and bring some cash.

[Strike2]

You will also be comforted since every ATM in Guate has a complimentary shotgun toting security guard. I found some humor when I stopped at a suburban area ATM on the way to Antigua. The armed guard pointed out to me the hand written "out of service" sign. Yet he was on duty guarding the worthless machine. I have always gotten the best rates from ATMs, but beware HSBC. I tried a card from them on a recently opened account and they ripped me on the exchange rate. Fuck them. My hometown bank atm card gets me great rates in every country I have tried it. Oh ya, I recommend taking preventative measures against your ex-wife draining your monger money. That HSBC card wasn't so bad for that reason. If you want to use a credit card, you're best bet is Visa, followed by MasterCard. American Express can be used at some places, but no strip club I visited. Your best option is always cash.

Euros are virtually unheard of in Guatemala. I never saw one there. I am sure that a currency house or bank can exchange them for you, but at a price.

Try to minimize the use of credit cards. Many smaller businesses do not take them, and when you are able to use them the upcharge and/or transaction fees are steep.

"Bancomats" are easy to find in Guatemala, where they are called "caseros" or an "ATH." They are at all banks and many convenience stores, and even the larger hotels will have them in the lobby, e.g. the Holiday Inn, the Westin, etc.

With a debit card, these machines will not only give you the best exchange rate, but they also allow you to withdraw only the amount that you need to cover the next few days. This way if the worst happens (and it probably won't), you still have all the money you need for the rest of yor trip sitting safely in your bank account.

Once I finally allowed myself to shed the (in)security if carrying and hiding large amounts of cash, my travel has been much more anxiety free.

No worries!

DB

[Dodger Bulldog]

I'm starting to Guatemala for a trip.

Please, some questions:

1) Is better arrive with cash? And wiche currency is better: Euro or Dollars?

I read on lonley planet that is better dollars, it's real?

2) Is easy to find bancomat to withdrow currency with credit card? Is better visa or cirrus?

Thank you very much

G.

Euros are virtually unheard of in Guatemala. I never saw one there. I am sure that a currency house or bank can exchange them for you, but at a price.

Try to minimize the use of credit cards. Many smaller businesses do not take them, and when you are able to use them the upcharge and/or transaction fees are steep.

"Bancomats" are easy to find in Guatemala, where they are called "caseros" or an "ATH." They are at all banks and many convenience stores, and even the larger hotels will have them in the lobby, e.g. the Holiday Inn, the Westin, etc.

With a debit card, these machines will not only give you the best exchange rate, but they also allow you to withdraw only the amount that you need to cover the next few days. This way if the worst happens (and it probably won't), you still have all the money you need for the rest of yor trip sitting safely in your bank account.

Once I finally allowed myself to shed the (in)security if carrying and hiding large amounts of cash, my travel has been much more anxiety free.

No worries!

DB

[Riodulce]

I'm starting to Guatemala for a trip.

Please, some questions:

1) Is better arrive with cash? And wiche currency is better: Euro or Dollars?

I read on lonley planet that is better dollars, it's real?

2) Is easy to find bancomat to withdrow currency with credit card? Is better visa or cirrus?

Thank you very much

G.

US dollars would be prefered over Euro's however, personally I would not bring a lot of US dollars as you may loose a lot on the exchange. There are ATM's just about everywhere and you will get a much better rate if you use them to draw Quetzales.

[Ranocchio]

I'm starting to Guatemala for a trip.

Please, some questions:

1) Is better arrive with cash? And wiche currency is better: Euro or Dollars?

I read on lonley planet that is better dollars, it's real?

2) Is easy to find bancomat to withdrow currency with credit card? Is better visa or cirrus?

Thank you very much

G.

[Taquitor Rico]

I live in Guatemala, and excuse me, but the girls here are not required to be tested, not even in the most exclusive clubs. ALWAYS use rubber.

[Johan007]

Guys,

I must say that a "test" on Hiv/Aids rather doesn't proof almost nothing.
Suppose she got tested on Day 1 and was "clean". On day 2 she fucks with smb that is seropositive or gets infected on another way.(as you well know women get faster infected then man regarding HIV!!)
On day 3 you do her UNCOVERED.......vaginaly and/or anal

OOPS....................you COULD be seropositive right now!!!


be carefull guys. Sure even I like my willy blown witout a rubber. (and even THAT is risky)But to do the deed uncovered?? With a pro girl??? NEVER. How tempting the idea is to fuck her UNCOVERED; Always use a rubber when going "In" her pussy or ass.

Take care.


Johan.


PS: the test on HIV/AIDS doesn't mean she has no OTHER STD's!!!!

[Chekist]

Yes, the girls must get tested in Guatemala and have certificates from doctors.

[Wonderer Man]

Does Guatemala make working girls get tested?

Which countries do? Thanks

[One Great Man]

Don't worry about crime in Guatemala, unless you're going into dark places.

I spent most of my time in Zona Uno, which is not the hottest part of town. You can pick up a SW, but the "clubs", which every taxi driver knows about is only a five buck fare. I would recommend Caesar's, although I haven't been to the others.

You can get fucked and sucked for $30-40 USD, and totally loved by the girls. It's a half-hour deal, but a very hot half hour. BBBJ is normal stuff, and if she didn't swallow it I didn't notice.

This is a very poor country, and I can't attest to the SWs, because I found a couple of girls with telephone numbers who kept me entertained. It's cheap, it's totally satisfying, and it's fun, both for you and for them.

[Admin]

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