Great 'What's the best currency to take to Turkey, Israel, Laos, and more?' Hunt

musehead

moonjooce wrote: »

Russia anyone? I've heard USD are best but not sure.

You need Russian Roubles in Russia.

In Honduras most things can be paid for in USD or the local currency.

gingerjudith

Turkey seems to depend where you go - I go to Dalyan and they don't prefer anything over lire, but will accept Euros and Sterling on the market and shops. Cerainly no better deals for paying in foreign currency.

jeddentad

double_mummy wrote: »

in israel take sheqel

some very rare places will accept USD no gbp and no euros

have not tried jerusalem though mainly tel aviv and haifa hadera all around that area

We traveled around from Safed, above Lake Kinneret, down to Be'er sheva and many places in between (including Jerusalem), taking busses and trains, staying in pre-booked hostels or hotels or with family. Always paid in Shekels.

If you're paying in foreign currency, know your exchange rate and bargain your heart out (just like paying in Shekels ).

SeanCo

ripongrammargirl wrote: »

Much confusion over whether Mexico takes their own currency or US dollars. Travel agent can't advise (a lot of use they are!) and reviews on websites are so mixed it's impossible to know for sure. Correct info, anyone???

I've travelled to various parts of Mexico 5 times now over the last decade, so technically I'm a bit of a veteran.

Firstly the Mexican Peso is fully convertible, so you can buy and sell in UK without any difficulties. More importantly it has been fairly stable in value over the last decade i.e. in the region of 18 to 21 per Pound, so you're not going to need a fist full of Pesos just to buy a coffee.

There are only two areas where dollars potentially offer an advantage:

1. Cities on the US border, but this is largely academic in that apart from Tijuana, most of these have either nothing of interest to the tourist or are currently subject to a travel advisory anyway due to drug related violence.

2. Resorts such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta are more often than not priced in dollars in the tourist areas.

Elsewhere e.g. Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende and Queretaro the Peso is king and you will struggle to spend anything else.

ATMs are plentiful in Mexico and all in my experience take UK cards, however outside main tourist areas be alert and discreet, preferably using machines inside banks or those with guards due to robberies. It is also worth telling your bank that you will use the card in Mexico as they are very cautious about Mexican transactions and will often freeze cards. If this does happen get on the phone and they can unfreeze almost instantly - First Direct even refunded my call costs when this happened to me.

Effervescent

All the guide books recommend taking USD to Tanzania and you do need USD1 notes for tips to porters. However our safari guide said he would prefer to receive his tip in Sterling.

Doshwaster

bluekp wrote: »

We were advised to take USD to Vietnam, however on arriving we discovered that on the whole they only take VND.

In Cambodia however, you use the USD everywhere.

Yes, nothing but USD in Cambodia. The ATMs also dispense USD. You will get small change in Riel (about 3000 to the pound) but you should spend or donate them before leaving as they are worthless outside of the country.

The first time I went to India (about 10 years ago), a lot of people wanted tips in USD or Sterling but on recent trips it has been Rupees only.

Dynamo1

Olu Deniz in Turkey preferred you to pay in Sterling. You could also get a far better rate when exchanging sterling at local shops than offered at Forex dealers in London.

lingolady21

Completely agree. I go to Mexico at least once a year as my other half is originally from there and have never used anything but Pesos.

Take Pesos if you can, or get them out at the cash machines there. If you have problems getting them from one brand of cash machine, try another. I always manage at HSBC branches, and Sanborns - a cafe/restaurant and department store that is everywhere in Mexico - it's got a little owl for its logo. Hotel lobbies often have cash machines too,especially the Camino Real branded ones.

We always pay in Pesos so the person there gets the best deal, often changing from Euros/GBP/USD incurs a penalty, or problems with their bank, so pay in local currency, the same as you would in the UK.

Cancun etc and the Riviera Maya will have prices in USD, but I am sure paying in Pesos will get you the best deals on food, drinks etc.

SeanCo wrote: »

I've travelled to various parts of Mexico 5 times now over the last decade, so technically I'm a bit of a veteran.

Firstly the Mexican Peso is fully convertible, so you can buy and sell in UK without any difficulties. More importantly it has been fairly stable in value over the last decade i.e. in the region of 18 to 21 per Pound, so you're not going to need a fist full of Pesos just to buy a coffee.

There are only two areas where dollars potentially offer an advantage:

1. Cities on the US border, but this is largely academic in that apart from Tijuana, most of these have either nothing of interest to the tourist or are currently subject to a travel advisory anyway due to drug related violence.

2. Resorts such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta are more often than not priced in dollars in the tourist areas.

Elsewhere e.g. Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende and Queretaro the Peso is king and you will struggle to spend anything else.

ATMs are plentiful in Mexico and all in my experience take UK cards, however outside main tourist areas be alert and discreet, preferably using machines inside banks or those with guards due to robberies. It is also worth telling your bank that you will use the card in Mexico as they are very cautious about Mexican transactions and will often freeze cards. If this does happen get on the phone and they can unfreeze almost instantly - First Direct even refunded my call costs when this happened to me.

cordi13

I am travelling in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia for a month and intend to withdraw most of my money from the ATM whilst there. Does anyone have any advice on the best card to use to do this without being stung with hefty charges?

Darren.B_2

Cordi13 - I was out there a little while ago and just made sure I had a cash passport. Think it was from Travelex iirc.

Worked a treat - though be aware that a lot of ATMs will charge you a small amount for withdrawals anyway - so it's worth taking out big amounts at a time and splitting them between different pockets, wallets, etc for security.