| Travelers have little difficulty with currency and money | | | | caught short during the weekend. |
| changing during a South America vacation, but the | | | | Meanwhile, on a Costa Rica vacation, US dollars are |
| standard advice to traveling anywhere abroad is to | | | | not widely accepted other than for specific |
| take a mix of cash, plastic and traveler's checks, for | | | | tourist-related services (tours, park fees, hotels etc), |
| the sake of both convenience and security. | | | | and even less so in the more rural areas. They are |
| CASH | | | | easily exchanged in banks, along with euros, while |
| The US dollar is by far the most accepted and easily | | | | changing other currencies may not be so easy. |
| changed foreign currency across the entire continent. | | | | Exchanging with street changers is not recommended |
| In many places, you can use dollars to pay for goods | | | | due to the number of forgeries in circulation. Whenever |
| and services directly, and receive the change either in | | | | receiving bills in dollars or colones, only accept pristine |
| dollars or the local currency. The exchange rate for | | | | standard notes, as worn bills are likely to be rejected |
| this kind of transaction varies significantly depending on | | | | elsewhere. |
| the country and the store or service provider. | | | | International ATM networks are well established |
| Aside from these options, you'll have no problems | | | | across Latin America and it's easy to find ATMs |
| changing major currencies (euros, sterling, Canadian | | | | (cajeros automaticos) in busy, urban environments. It |
| dollars) in banks or at the airport. The exchange rate | | | | will be fairly easy to find machines that are connected |
| will be less competitive here, but probably still better | | | | to the Visa Plus, Cirrus and Link networks and many |
| than in your home country. | | | | will dispense either in dollars or the local currency. |
| For a Peru vacation, US$ are accepted in all the major | | | | Depending on your own bank's charges this may be |
| supermarkets as well as in hotels and popular tourist | | | | the most cost-effective way to travel in Latin America. |
| restaurants. You can choose to receive your change | | | | Exercise caution when using an ATM: be sure no one |
| in dollars or nuevo soles. The supermarket exchange | | | | is looking over your shoulder and try to avoid using |
| rate is probably the best you'll find, making them | | | | ATMs if alone at night. |
| convenient places to change smaller denominations | | | | PLASTIC |
| (they'll refuse $100 bills.) | | | | Credit/Debit cards are widely accepted across the |
| Outside each supermarket and around Lima's busier | | | | continent, with the most predominant network being |
| districts you'll find money changers, or cambistas who | | | | Visa, closely followed by MasterCard. Amex, Diners |
| also offer a reasonable exchange rate. These money | | | | and other smaller networks are less frequently |
| changers are properly registered and can be trusted | | | | accepted. |
| although take sensible precautions, always check your | | | | Rather than use your card to pay for meals, souvenirs, |
| bills and don't flash cash visibly in the street. | | | | etc, it may be more advisable to withdraw cash from |
| Away from the busier urban environments, dollars are | | | | ATMs to benefit from the better exchange rate, |
| less accepted and you'll need a supply of nuevo soles. | | | | although this depends on your own bank's tariffs. |
| There is a large quantity of counterfeit bills in circulation | | | | Some establishments, especially hotels, independent |
| so appear vigilant to avoid receiving fakes and check | | | | tour operators and some restaurants will charge hefty |
| larger bills carefully. There should be a clear | | | | (sometimes up to 10%) fees for credit card payments. |
| watermark, a silver strip and embossed detail across | | | | Check the final cost carefully before agreeing to |
| the top of the note. If in doubt, ask for another bill. | | | | purchase. |
| For an Argentina vacation, dollars and euros are often | | | | TRAVELER'S CHECKS |
| accepted in major cities at supermarkets, hotels and | | | | Traveler's checks remain popular for visitors, largely |
| popular restaurants and change can be received in | | | | due to the added security they offer in the event of |
| pesos. Cambistas offer a reasonable exchange rate | | | | being lost or stolen. Checks issued in US dollars are |
| but take precautions when handling money in public. | | | | preferred and most easily cashed in banks across the |
| As in Peru, banks and airport counters are convenient | | | | entire continent. |
| and secure but tend to offer a less competitive rate | | | | The commission on cashing traveler's checks varies |
| When venturing into more rural regions, be sure to | | | | from country to country. In Brazil, it may be high as $20 |
| have a sufficient supply of pesos, because changing | | | | per check, while on a Costa Rica vacation, banks tend |
| dollars will be less easy and they may not always be | | | | to charge a fixed rate of 1-3%. Meanwhile in Argentina |
| accepted in stores. | | | | you might be in for a long wait at the bank, and in Peru |
| During a Brazil vacation you can change your dollars | | | | cashing checks in remote, jungle regions can be tricky. |
| for Brazilian reais at banks and large hotels but it is | | | | In the event that your checks are lost or stolen, it is |
| advisable not to use street changers due to the risk of | | | | worth getting a police report to support your claim. |
| receiving forgeries. Banks are likely to be closed on | | | | And most importantly of all, enjoy your trip! Buen Viaje! |
| Saturdays and Sundays so be careful not to get | | | | |