Cartagena Currency Question

[sugarsnap1981]

I'm trying to determine if I will need to bring along local currency while at port in Cartagena. What are your experiences paying with USD or should I bring local currency?

 

Thanks!

[highheel girl]

I'm trying to determine if I will need to bring along local currency while at port in Cartagena. What are your experiences paying with USD or should I bring local currency?

 

Thanks!

 

 

We have always used US $$ or CC when shopping there. :)

[Loonbeam]

Technically this is a port of call question...

 

But to sanwer, US Dollars and CCs will be fine at most if not all vendors. You may get local change back..

 

I'm trying to determine if I will need to bring along local currency while at port in Cartagena. What are your experiences paying with USD or should I bring local currency?

 

Thanks!

[stevea20]

I was there last Nov. Only bought one thing at the Las Bovedas shopping area but US currency was welcome there. I expect it will be anywhere tourist do any shopping.

 

One thing though. Be careful of the street vendors. They will not be threatening to you but they are not shy and will not back off. You will have anything from tablecloths to t-shirts constantly thrust at you. When you say "No thanks" they will step away for a second then come right back. It's safe...but smothering.

[Pam in CA]

We have always used US $$ or CC when shopping there. :)

Right. I've been there twice and used US$ or CC both times. Don't buy anything from the street vendors. It's junk.

[casavaha]

Right. I've been there twice and used US$ or CC both times. Don't buy anything from the street vendors. It's junk.

 

We always use US dollars. We also only use taxis but you must bargain with them to

obtain the best price. For a five hour stop it is not worth buying local currency.

 

Greg

[chsalas]

Yes, u.s. currency is gladly accepted.

[nasa1974]

Check with your credit card provider and make sure they do not charge an exchange rate fee. VISA was going to charge me 4%.

[Nukesailor]

One thing though. Be careful of the street vendors. They will not be threatening to you but they are not shy and will not back off. You will have anything from tablecloths to t-shirts constantly thrust at you. When you say "No thanks" they will step away for a second then come right back. It's safe...but smothering.

 

One amusing thing I noted on our last stop there - while on the old city walking tour, the same vendors were at each stop we made. They got there ahead of us.

 

Art

[poncho1965]

I stopped in a little mini mart just to get something to drink. My dollars were declined, they wanted me to use a CC or debit card. Umm, no thanks. This was the only place where my dollars were not accepted.

[caribill]

Check with your credit card provider and make sure they do not charge an exchange rate fee. VISA was going to charge me 4%.

 

A no-annual fee CapitalOne Visa or MasterCard will have no foreign transaction fee.