> > > > The only place you'll get dollars out of an ATM
> > > > is in a country that has adopted the US dollar as it's official
> > > > currency (like El Salvador).
> >
> > What about Panama? Costa Rica in San Jose?
> >
> > > FWIW, there are some other places you can get US dollars out of an ATM.
> > > Peru, for instance.
> >
> > What about an AMEX office? Could they cash your check and give you US
> > dollars? (In a major city of course)
> >
>
> I honestly don't undertand why you want US dollars instead of local
> currency.
Because your bank in Arkansas will probably have a lousy exchange rate
for Bolivian currency. US dollars are universal. Most everyone likes
them and is willing to trade them on an open market.
> Many places in Honduras won't touch anything other than new
> crisp bills, anything worn or torn will not be accepted. If you are not
> in a tourist area it is even more difficult to use US dollars.
> If you use US dollars to pay for things, you'll get change back in the local
> currency, not US dollars, and the exchange rate won't be favorable from
> a merchant.They want a profit when they change it at the bank.
I'm not paying for things in US dollars. I'm exchanging US dollars for
local currency at the best local exchange rates possible. Who buys
things with foreign currency? You always get gouged. Unless you're a
Canadian in Las Vegas I suppose.
> I haven't seen an AMEX office in three years of living and traveling
> around Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Honestly, most people use
> ATM's because it is less hassle to find them than it is to find the
> AMEX office, cash is dispensed in local currency so you won't need to
> convert, and you won't have to worry about counterfeit US$20 - of
> which there is a large amount floating around in Central America.
Good points. I'd love to use ATM's but can't see how an American bank
in the US is going to better a local exchange rate with US dollars of
cash or travelers checks. Often travelers checks get a better rate than
cash - a further incentive to carry them.
> > > Meanwhile, on the original question, I don't think I've ever been asked
> > > for an onward ticket when crossing a border. Years ago, I used to carry
> > > around an MCO (Miscellaneous Charges Order, which was like an air ticket
> > > but unassigned to any particular airline or any particular destination).
> > > I'm not sure these even exist any more. But in any case, I was never
> > > asked to show it.
> > >
> > > And my understanding is that, if the question were to arise, showing a
> > > credit card would be taken as sufficient sign that you had access to funds
> > > to leave the country.
Sounds logical. Thanks. |
|
|
|