The currency here is called Quetzales. The Quetzal is the national (endangered) bird. The quetzals on the money are probably the only Quetzals that I will see in Guatemala. Quetzales (I'm talking about the money) are plastic. This just seems so much more practical than U.S. dollars that practically disintegrate. I feel like a lot of countries that I have visited have used plastic bills. I think that America is behind the times on this one.
Not to get gross about it or anything, but the money here (well and everywhere I guess) is DIRTY. As in wash your hands after touching it dirty.
Putting Quetzales into perspective a little - the exchange rate is about 7.75Q=$1. This is a great exchange rate considering most things are already cheap here. Here are some examples (you all can put your math skills to work for the conversions):
- 1 delishious avocado = 1Q (this makes me the most happy!)
- Bottle of soda = 7Q
- Bottle of cold water =5Q
- The Prensa libre (newspaper)=3Q
- A toasted bagel with cream cheese at the Bagel Barn (which also has excellent free weefee) =19Q
- A smoothie = 19Q
- Coffee drinks range from 10-20Q depending how fancy they are
- Sandwiches are usually around 30-40Q I.e. falafel, grilled cheese, tuna, many of the burgers at McDonalds, etc
- Although I think that the "dollar menu" at McDonalds (fries, soda, apple pie, etc) costs 9Q which is more than $1.
Also these are all Antigua prices, which as a touristy town are generally more expensive.
To preface this picture - I do not make a lot of money in the Peace Corps. We are called volunteers for a reason, but these are what the bills look like.
What is the exchange rate with the dollar? How many quatzales to buy a bagel or a Big Mac?
ReplyDeleteThe exchange rate is about 7.75 Quetzales = 1 USD. A can of Coke costs about 4-5Q($0.50-$0.65) and a coffee at McDonalds costs 10Q($1.30) and a sandwich at a cafe generally costs around 35Q($4.50). It makes Guatemala pretty affordable.
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