If you’ve spent any time looking at the numbers lately, you know the US dollar to Haitian gourde situation is a bit of a rollercoaster. Honestly, it’s a lot more than just a number on a screen. Today is January 18, 2026, and the official rate is hovering right around 131.15 HTG for every 1 USD.
But here’s the thing: that "official" number doesn't always tell the whole story when you're standing at a transfer window in Delmas or trying to buy supplies for a business in Cap-Haïtien.
The reality on the ground in Haiti is complicated. You’ve got a mix of high inflation, a massive informal economy, and a central bank—the Banque de la République d'Haïti (BRH)—that is doing everything in its power to keep the floor from falling out. It’s a lot to keep track of, especially when your family’s grocery budget or your company’s profit margins depend on it.
The Real Numbers Right Now
Basically, the gourde has been under immense pressure for years. While we saw a "relatively" stable period toward the end of 2025, where the rate sat around 130.69, we’ve seen a slight uptick as we moved into 2026.
Prices for basic stuff are still high. Food inflation was hitting nearly 30% late last year, and even though some experts at the IMF and BRH are hoping for a "rebound," the average person is still feeling the squeeze. When the dollar gets stronger, a bag of rice or a gallon of gas (currently about $1.13 USD per liter) gets more expensive instantly.
💡 You might also like: Why the Dow Jones Industrial Average is Still the Only Number People Care About
Why does this happen? It’s a supply and demand dance. Haiti imports way more than it exports—about $3.6 billion in imports compared to only $635 million in exports in recent tallies. That means there is a constant, desperate need for US dollars to pay for those imports.
The "Invisible" Factors Moving the Market
Most people think the exchange rate is just about politics, but it’s actually about remittances and liquidity.
Remittances—money sent home by the diaspora—are basically the lifeblood of the Haitian economy. When those flows are strong, it puts more dollars into the system and can actually help the gourde stay steady. But when there’s insecurity or the airports close (like we saw with the Toussaint Louverture Airport disruptions), getting those dollars into the hands of people who need them becomes a nightmare.
- The BRH Factor: The central bank uses something called BRH Bonds to soak up extra gourdes from the system. They’re trying to prevent "too much money chasing too few goods," which causes inflation.
- The Security Gap: It’s no secret that gang violence and road blockages affect the rate. If a truck can’t get from the port to the market, the price of the goods on that truck goes up, regardless of what the "official" exchange rate says.
- Informal Markets: In places like Pétion-Ville, you might see a "street rate" that is a few points higher than what you see on Google. That’s because the formal banks sometimes run low on physical cash, and people are willing to pay a premium for liquidity.
How to Get the Best Rate When Sending Money
If you're sending money today, don't just look at the headline rate. You have to look at the hidden fees.
For example, Western Union and MoneyGram are the big players, and they often offer a "promotional" rate for your first transfer. But look closely at the "payout" method. In 2026, you can often choose to have the recipient pick up US dollars or Haitian gourdes.
💡 You might also like: Exactly How Many Figures Is a Million and Why the Answer Still Trips Us Up
Pro tip: Usually, if you send USD for a USD pickup at a bank like Unibank or Sogebank, you avoid the exchange rate "haircut" entirely, but the recipient might have to wait in a longer line. If you choose a mobile wallet like MonCash or Natcash, it’s instant, but you’ll be locked into whatever rate the provider sets that day—which is usually around 130-131 HTG right now.
What to Expect for the Rest of 2026
The IMF is projecting a slight contraction in GDP (-1.2%) for this year, which isn't great news. However, there’s a massive push for a new Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) to stabilize the currency.
Is the gourde going to "crash"? Probably not. The BRH has about $1 billion in international reserves to defend the currency. But is it going back to 60 or 70 HTG per dollar? Honestly, that’s just not in the cards. We are looking at a "new normal" where the rate stays in this 130 to 140 range for the foreseeable future.
🔗 Read more: YouTube and Fox Dispute: Why Your Favorite Channels Keep Vanishing
Actionable Insights for You
If you are managing money between the US and Haiti, here is how you handle the current volatility:
- Split your transfers. Don't send one giant lump sum. Send smaller amounts every two weeks. This "averages out" the exchange rate so you don't get burned if the gourde has a bad week.
- Check the "Taux du Jour". The BRH posts the official rate every morning on their website (brh.ht). If a transfer service is offering you significantly less than that, they are overcharging you on the spread.
- Use Digital Wallets for Daily Spending. For your family in Haiti, using MonCash or LajanCash for grocery shopping can sometimes be safer and more predictable than carrying physical gourdes that lose value daily.
- Watch the Gasoline Prices. In Haiti, the exchange rate and the price of gas are linked. If you hear that gas prices are about to jump, expect the gourde to weaken shortly after as transportation costs ripple through the economy.
The US dollar to Haitian gourde rate is a tool for survival for many, and a metric of stability for others. Keeping your eye on the actual data rather than the rumors is the only way to stay ahead of the curve.