Changing Euro, Dollars, Sterling Pounds in Diani Beach

Changing money into local Currency

When travelling to new destinations, visitors will always look for ways to exchange foreign currency whilst on holiday to facilitate minor payments and transactions. It is the same with Diani Beach.

A first time visitor to Kenya can access local currency which is in Shillings,at major entry points like Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International airport and at the port of Mombasa for those travelling by sea. Ensure you transact at authorized exchange centers like banks and forex bureaus. Banks are known to charge commisions that forex bureaus don’t making the bureaus a suitable option. Another benefit of using bureaus is the opportunity they give for bargains on large scale transactions, foreign exchanges exceeding USD 1000 can fetch good rates on bargaining.

The Kenyan currency circulates in the following denominations, 1000 shillings, 500 shillings, 200 shillings, 100 shillings, 50 shillings in note form and 40 shillings, 20 shillings, 10 shillings, 5 shillings, 1 shilling in coin form. Currently, 1 USD is exchanging at 77 shillings, 1 Euro gets you 103 shillings and the british pound exchanges for 119 shillings. This varies but you can be safe bargaining within 5 shillings margin of this rate.

The golden rule of currency exchange while travelling is to carry US dollars since they are accepted everywhere even in the black market. You can carry them from your country of origin but avoid large amounts to avoid trouble with immigration. It is not the norm to buy in US dollars around Diani Beach but you will find people who are willing to take the dollars from taxi drivers to curio sellers.

You can also use travellers cheques to access local currency but they have numerous exchange handles like lower exchange rates than dollar bills at times by as much as 10 % plus proof of ownership( passport) and the cheque receipts are required. Besides, travellers cheques are increasingly less widely accepted, and often carry high commission charges.

At Diani Beach, Kenya, you can change major world currencies i.e U.S Dollar, British Pound and the Euro at the following banks Equity, Diamond Trust , Barclays, Cooperative , Commercial Bank of Africa, Kenya Commercial Bank and Imperial Bank. All are operating branches in Diani with ATM from which you can also access local currency. You can withdraw cash with your international cards (Mastercard and Visacard) at the ATMs.

Banks at Diani generally accept the three major currencies, US dollar, British pound and the Euro with the rest of the world currencies acceptable at forex bureaus. The following forex bureaus operate in Diani Beach. Whatever happens, try not to change your currency at your hotel because the rates will leave a lot less money in your pocket.

Carrying large amounts of cash is always a security risk. Limit your cash exchanges to USD 1000 to avoid carrying cash stacks. 1000 USD changes for 77,000 shillings by current rates which could serve you in Diani Beach for a while, at least for minor transactions. You can use your credit card to settle large payments like hotel bills.

Some traders accept dollars but such transactions could be inflated hence buying in local currency is advised to avoid rip offs. Don’t make large cash transactions in the open to minimise muggings. Keep sufficient amounts in your pocket for minor payments. Large wads of cash should be carried in a bag and only retrieved in the safety of your hotel room safe.

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