aaJoe wrote:
> > 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.
>
Wrong, my bank in Washington state gives the interbank rate on currency
exchange when I use the ATM. .
> > 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 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.
Enjoy your vacation standing in bank lines for hours on end, assuming
you'll find a bank that will cash traveler's checks.
SD
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