Spending money within Monastir Airport

[wendle]

this is my first post so I hope I am in the right section.

My first holiday to Tunisia is in October so I am starting to gather the info I need which is the reason for this post.

I have been told that whilst within the Airport one can only buy things or pay for services with credit / debit cards or, Euro's but not with Dinar!
Is this the case? ifso, I find it very strange that Euro's, which I understand are not freely available in the country, should be preffered over the Dinar.

Any info will be greatfully recieved.

[woudlg]

Hi Wendle,

Tunisia has a closed currency, which means that you can't bring Dinar into the country or take any out. When you land in Tunisia you can exchange travellers cheques/sterling etc. for dinar in the airport, use your card to withdraw dinars from an ATM or get currency at your hotel/resort. When you leave Tunisia you can't take any dinar through to departures (there are signs saying that you need to declare any as you go through passport checks). Consequently, you'll need to use cards or cash (but not dinars) in the facilities available in the departure lounge (duty free shops and cafe). Hope that answers your query? Hope you enjoy your trip - whereabouts in Tunisia are you heading by the way?

[woudlg]

Also, it's worth buying snacks and water to take through to departures with you when you leave - the food and drink prices in the airport are extortionate!!

[Elise Theurer]

Only change into Dinars when you need to. Hotels will accept GB pounds or Euros. You must change any Dinars back before you leave and the hotel will do this for you. The rate is fixed and is the same in Banks and Hotels. In Duty Free they will accept GB pounds (including Scottish) but the cafe will also accept any left over Dinars which is strange because you are not allowed to take then out of the country. I left all my loose change and some notes for the chamber maid - the rate of pay is not very high - and she was very pleased to receive it.
If you take photos as historical sites you are expected to pay a small fee as you go in and this helps towards further excavations and the upkeep of the sites. Well worth it. If you go to a carpet factory and take photos of the workers you are expected to give something to them.
We stayed at the Marhaba Hotel (*****) just outside Port El Kantaoui and it was only 4Dinars in a taxi to the Port. Don't haggle in Govt registered shops but it is expected in any others.
The staff in the hotel were extremely friendly and courteous. Language is no problem as Tourism is the main money earner. Arabic is the first language; then French, English and then they speak German, Italian or Spanish.
Lovely country; fab weather; friendly people; good food.
The historical sites are fantastic and really bring history to life. I never ever thought when I was at school persevering with Latin that I would see Carthage!

[wendle]

Sorry for the late responce to your most helpfull answers but my computer has been away for a couple of weeks. So glad it's back now as I fly out on Wednesday and this info is tops, thanks very much for your guidance.

I am realy looking forward to my holiday. By the way, I will be in Port El Kantaoui.

Thanks again to you for the info.

[kellyc]

Hi Wendle,

Have a safe trip. Port El Kantaoui is really nice at this time of the year as it has calmed down from the peak season. I live just 10 minutes away from PEK. The weather is still nice so expect some very hot days, today was absolutely lovely. Enjoy

[Kris]

Welcome wendle and elsie!

[ninikins]

I think its just best to pay with your own currency if its accepted. Don't go through the hassle of changing if its not necessary.

[Grace 111]

I guess you're right about changing your money only when necessary. When I went to India, I got American Express checks. I changed some into Rupees (Indian money). Then I kept some. Then when I went to shops they love dollars. The exchange rate from dollars to rupees was huge. "How much is that necklace? 10,000 rupees". What a place!