Tunisia

nickyhutch

We're off to Tunisia in a couple of weeks. I know we can't take the currency in (or out) of the country so will need to use cards or get cash there and am OK with that.

A friend of a friend, though, has just come back from Tunisia and said that the hotel staff like £1 coins for tips. Although tips are mentioned a lot on TripAdvisor (and I understand that and expect to tip) no-one has said that they used £1 coins, only dinar.

Does anyone have any experience of this?

liney

About 10 years ago, we were told 'You can give us English Pounds' as soon as we were in the airport by the 'trolly men', who dashed to our aid. I thought it was because they knew we had no currency yet tbh, and don't rememeber it being mentioned again.

katepnlo

Just get some money in the airport. They have a line of currency offices. When you come home it can be changed back
Watch out people want tips for everything. you NEED to be very firm otherwise you will part with a pile of cash.

VfM4meplse

katepnlo wrote: »

Watch out people want tips for everything. you NEED to be very firm otherwise you will part with a pile of cash.

I second this.

A tip is for good service, and not because someone has the balls to ask for it.

nickyhutch

Thanks everyone. I'm happy to tip in the hotel if it means I get quick service and a stronger drink!

nairny54

I have often found that they will "sell" them ,£1 coins, back to other Brits and I have often "bought" some back!! As other poster mentioned they are very cheeky and have even said to me ( after just pushing my case 10 yards to the transfer bus) "lady is not enough!"
I have found the buy back rate at the airport is very poor so if you can get rid of your Dinar before you are due to leave it works out better just give sterling as tips.

bunnykins

I only got back from Tunisia last Sunday - I changed my currency in the hotel when I got there and then changed it back also in the hotel before I came home and the hotel gave me the same exchange rate as I'd kept my original receipt so I wasn't out of pocket. My friend who I travelled with changed his currency at the airport on the way back and lost out on the exchange rate that they used. I also found that the airport (Duty Free, restaurants etc) would take almost any currency except Dinars!!

I was firm with the porters at the airport and wheeled my own bags (they are cheeky though) and I tipped in the hotel with £'s until I'd changed my currency - HTH

Had a great time there though and will definitely go back...enjoy

bunnykins x

nickyhutch

Thankyou bunnykins, that's really helpful.

I've told OH he can swap me for some camels if he gets a good offer, so I don't have to come home!

VfM4meplse

nickyhutch wrote: »

I've told OH he can swap me for some camels if he gets a good offer, so I don't have to come home!

Make sure he knows your value, a blonde is worth 3 times a brunette in Tunisia....

PompeyPete

Don't tip in £sterling, unless of course you don't have an Dinars.
£sterling is absolutely no good to the locals, and the only way they can change it into Dinars is with a tourist.
At the airport, while the Duty Free don't accept Dinars, you can still use them air-side in the cafeterias.
Like any airport, changing money back to your own currency before you leave, is at a much poorer rate.
Don't forget to fill in your Landing Card before going through Immigration. Usually, but not always, they'll be dished out on the aircraft.
Before you go get hold of a copy of Rough Guide or Lonely Planet, and buff up on the scams and general annoyances.
Ramadan is coming up shortly, and the Salafists are up to no good at the moment. So, when out and about outside of your tourist comfort zone, make sure you respect the Holy Month, ie don't openly eat, drink or smoke during daylight hours. And dress respectfully.

nickyhutch

Thank you Pete, all very helpful. I hadn't considered the Ramadan thing - I've just looked it up and it starts as we head home.