In Madagascar you will generally have to pay cash except for the payments in Department stores, luxury hotels and restaurants.
Most townhave banks and foreign exchange offices.
Travellers' cheques, visa cards and blue cards are only valid in major hotels, restaurants and shop.
Visa cards can be used in the capital at the BMOI bank cash dispensers and in supermarkets Currency on Dec 1st 2006: 1 €= 2694 Ariary
Tipping
Tipping for services is common in Madagascar, especially to people that cater for tourist and thus have to live on tips
Entrance fees
The entrance fees of the national parks goes partly to the communities. In Isalo for example they build a water reserve with the money. In Perinet the electricity net is constructed and financed with part of the entrance fees.
Shopping
Don't be surprised to find shortages of what would seem like essentials (bread, cooking oil, etc.) or to find that things are, generally speaking, expensive... Don't expect anything to be open on Saturday or Sunday...
Money
Pin card, credit card, travellers cheque and banknotes can be used in Madagascar, but banks are installed only in big towns. BNI-CL and BTM have the best rates for Travellers' cheques. Euros and US dollars are the most widely accepted currencies.
Change money only with authorised cashiers and save receipts.
Bank opening hours: from 0800-1600 monday to friday.
Credit Cards : Credit cards have limited use outside the capitol. Mastercard is accepted by many upmarket travel and tour agencies (including Air Madagascar) and hotels, but Visa card is really only feasible within such establishments in Tana, and for withdrawals at BFV bank. Direct payment with creditcards is only possible in first-class hotels and big shops. Visa, American Express, Access/MasterCard and Diners Club are accepted at the capital's Colbert and Hilton hotels. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheque Travellers' cheques are the go for payment and money. They can be exchanged in banks and major hotels.The BNI-CL and BTM banks have the best rates. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Euros
