First holiday abroad, how to deal with money

ManAtHome

The Nationwide exchange rate will be better than any 'third party' exchange. You can expect most UK and overseas banks to charge 2.5-3% commission, bureaux de change and shops 3-4%. I normally take a few quid as well as a back-up card (would rather be charged an extra fiver than live on water if the N/w card was lost or chewed..).

Worth getting a few Euro before you go - may take you a day or so to find the nearest ATM, and there's usually something to pay locally (safe, TV, a/c, booze from supermarket etc). Travelex or (high street) M&S or Post Office should be best rates.

Walk past anyone offering exchange rates obviously over the top - normally 1/4 writing on the bottom of the board showing the extortionate commission on amounts less than £2k... Usual scams on Gran Can - usual 'OMG you've won the Star Prize!' scratch cards, very cheap Digicams which come complete apart from battery, charger and all the other bits (and are occasionally an older cam in a new box...). Just keep telling yourself "if it's too good to be true....it's false".

Don't let the above worry you too much - pretty much the same as most tourist resorts in other countries (and the UK from what I remember of Blackpool and Scarborough etc LOL). Was in Puerto Rico early December and would certainly go back - great weather (even though they had a 1 day tropical storm!) and pretty laid-back.

WestieFan

Thanks for advice Manathome.
I am planning to take some euro with me till I find my feet. Will use Travekex I think, or maybe M&S.
Thanks for the comment re Puerto Rico too...... that's where I'm going!

I have already been warned about folk trying to sell you stuff and will not be tempted. I have waited too long for this and am not about to waste hard-earned on rubbish. Money is for eating, drinking and generally enjoying ourselves. :beer:

I have two very street savvy teenagers who can spot fake stuff from 20 paces, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about.

Roll on July :cool:

jaytar

Should you need to change any money in Puerto Rico use Christina's, usually the best rate in PR. Its on the road side of the shopping centre just up from the taxi rank. You'll see where I mean when you get there !

We'll be there again in September, can't wait. I'm sure you'll have a great time, and the teenagers will love it !

WestieFan

Is that the shopping centre that is "up the hill"?
Our apartments are overlooking the harbour. We didn't want anything too high up as I would have trouble with walking up and down hills all day, but I know there is a shopping centre or something which is up high! And I love boats & water, so I can sit there with a nice drink while the kids go clubbing :dance:

I am soooo looking forward to this. Due to lack of money we have only gone camping before, or a holiday camp when they were tiny. It's probably the one and only time we will go abroad as a family, as they will be going away with their friends soon so I decided it was now or never, and I want everything to go smoothly. Two moaning teenagers I can do without. :rotfl: :rotfl:

Weymouth_Man

GlennTheBaker wrote:

Get a Nationwide FlexAccount. Nationwide are the only institution to not add any fees when you use their cards abroad - everyone else adjusts the exchange rate by around 2.75% in their favour and some also add a transaction fee too.

Read Martin's article about overseas spending HERE.

:cool: !!!THATS THE WAY TO DO IT !!! :cool:

ManAtHome

I stayed on the eastern edge of PR overlooking the marina and harbour - great sunsets (get a bigger card for the digicam!). Went round the big centre (Europa) a couple of times - plenty of 'samey' shops and a few decent bars - good spot for a few lunchtime litres. Wasn't up a hill though - bottom of the valley leading back from the harbour. Fair sized Spar supermarket between harbour and Europa - just walk swiftly past the timeshare peeps..(incidentally, they can't wander round hassling you in PR - they have to have little stands on the pavement and tend to get nicked if they stray too far from them).

GlennTheBaker

WestieFan wrote:

:T
Thanks everybody for excellent advice.

I will certainly try for the Nationwide card, am with HBOS at present and it looks like a better deal anyway. I think I qualify for the visa one. Just don't relish the thought of transferring, as it is usually a nightmare. However, have noticed that Nationwide guarantee a hassle-free transfer or they will pay charges and also £50 compensation..... can't argue with that, and I have plenty time.

Also excellent advice about second card, I will certainly take another card in case of mishaps/emergencies.

Now I have that sorted, I can get on with stocking up the BOGOF toiletries etc. Am away now to find that thread about losing weight ......

You don't have to transfer your account to Nationwide if you don't want to. Just open the account and load it up with dosh prior to going abroad. That is what I have done and I also have a Nationwide credit card as a backup to my debit card.

WestieFan

Thanks all.
I have now applied online for a Nationwide card. Dont care which one I get!

Great to have info about Puerto Rico. Dunno exactly which side our apartments are on, just that they overlook the marina and harbour. Portonovo I think they are called. Don't think they are the best but they will do us. I have already stocked up on digicam cards, batteries, camcorder tapes and the like. Photography is a bit of a hobby so I will be in my element. Even more so with a nice glass of something beside me.

As for timeshare peeps, much as I would love to do something like that I am in no position financially to even consider it.

Must count how many more sleeps............. :rotfl: :rotfl:

jaytar

Is that the shopping centre that is "up the hill"?
Our apartments are overlooking the harbour. We didn't want anything too high up as I would have trouble with walking up and down hills all day, but I know there is a shopping centre or something which is up high! And I love boats & water, so I can sit there with a nice drink while the kids go clubbing

No, the shopping centre is at the bottom in the middle of PR. Its called the Commercial Centre and its where everything happens, clubs, bars, restaurants, shops. The Europa Centre is at the top, its practically the same but on a smaller scale. Should you want to have a look up there the only sane way is by taxi, which, by the way, are incredibly cheap. The Portonovo Apartments are right by the harbour and probably a 10 min walk to the commercial centre. Just far enough away to avoid the noise which is incredible until about 3 or 4 in the morning !

Kitikat

I think you are right not to carry too much cash with you, we learnt this the hard way in Playa del Ingles last year. I love Gran Canaria and would definitely go back but with credit cards rather than cash. We had money taken out of our safe on our second night their. It was an inside job as we weren't broken into and the safe hadn't been forced, obviously it was somebody with a master code. Don't let this put you off though as you are being a lot more careful than we were. Enjoy yourself.