Save Your Money While Traveling In South America Part 2
Whether visiting Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo during your vacation in Brazil, the exchange of real dollars to local needs to be simple at all banks and hotels frequented tourist. Unlike the money-changers in Peru and Argentina, is not recommended for street changers in Brazil, as they are known to exchange false invoices. Banks are in all major cities in Brazil. However, keep in mind that business hours Banks are normally closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Make sure to have a real enough for the weekend ahead.
An exception to the dollar is up and coming Central American hot spot destination, Costa Rica. Unfortunately – with the exception of tourism-oriented services such as travel and hotel expenses – the U.S. dollar is often not accepted. Dollars, together with the Euro, can be easily exchanged at banks in your passport. Other major currencies could not be in circulation. As in Brazil, not recommended for interchange with street changers because of many counterfeits in circulation. During your vacation in Costa Rica, exchange dollars for colones at banks and large hotels, but only accept tickets perfect as tattered notes will probably be rejected during another operation.
ATMs are easily found in all Latin American capitals and urban centers. ATMs are linked to the Cirrus and Visa Plus ATM networks and link your election, you can dispense dollars or regional currency. If your bank charges a small fee for withdrawing cash using an ATM may be the best cost-efficient way for travel in the region. However, always take appropriate safety measures when using an ATM, such as to avoid after dark when alone.
Traveler’s checks
The safest way to travel with money in Latin America is the use of a traveler’s check. However, the exchange of these checks in local currency is not as easy as it is with the dollar or the euro. Make sure your checks are issued in U.S. dollars, since they are easier to change. In addition, banks in all major capitals across the continent should be able to exchange check your trip without any problems.
Cashing a traveler varies in each country and various commissions rates apply. For example, in Brazil, your check can cost $ 20, while the rate in Costa Rica, the banks are fixed at 1.3%. Exchange your traveler’s checks busy cities like Lima and Buenos Aires may require a longer wait than the average in line at the bank. Please note that changing traveler’s checks in more remote places like the Amazon Peru should be much more complicated.
If you lose your check or in case of theft, it is important to obtain a police report to support his claim.
Plastic
Major credit and debit cards are accepted frequently throughout South America. The Visa network is the most widely accepted. MasterCard, American Express and Diners follow.
Depending on your bank’s fees for an international transaction may be wiser to withdraw money from a local ATM instead of using your card to pay for souvenirs, food, etc. The exchange rate you receive for the dollar is often no better than what your card can offer.
Many facilities, such as some restaurants, hotels and tourism businesses separate, are charged a large credit card – sometimes up to 10%! Confirm the final purchase price before signing away on the dotted line.
Processing your request, Please wait....
