Money

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MONEY

The currency of The Gambia is the Dalasi (GMD).
There are no restrictions on currency imports, although you will almost always get a better rate of exchange if you change your sterling, euros or dollars once you get to The Gambia.
You can change your money or travellers cheques at banks (remember to take your passport or other form of i.d.), bureaux de change and hotels.
Bank opening hours vary, but the Standard Chartered Banks open Monday - Friday 8.00 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 4.00 - 6.00 p.m. and 10.00 a.m. - 12 noon on Saturdays.
Visa credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants but most will levy a surcharge.
You can also use credit and debit cards to withdraw cash (maximum of GMD 2,000 per transaction) at one of the following Standard Chartered ATM's (known locally as a money grab machine): Banjul, Senegambia (Kololi), Traffic Lights (new Kairaba Avenue branch), Westfield Junction. Be aware though - the ATM's are prone to running out of money or temporarily shutting down due to power cuts and, as you can not draw money on your credit card across the counter at any of the banks, you should not rely on them entirely for your spending money in The Gambia. Also MASTERCARD is no longer accepted here.
For good rates of exchange, or if you get stuck financially whilst you are out here, then Mr George (and his 'girls') of IG Financial Services in Bakau (next door to the Romana Hotel) is very, very helpful. He can even help you to transfer money from your own bank account to The Gambia far quicker than any of the other banks out here - we know, some of our customers have had to do this!
For the current rate of exchange select your currency and Gambia Dalasi at http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic. The typical cash rate of + 4% is what you should expect to get at any Bureau De Change in The Gambia.