Madagascar

[Golfinho]

Cash is the best when you hide it very well. Buf if you are coming here for 3 months, isn't it risky to carry all the money for 3 months? And banks don't give good exchange rates for usd or euro here and small notes worth less. For example 5, 10,20 euro. They give less money for these bills, it is strange isn't it?

Never been robbed and have stayed for months. Carrying 5 and 10 euro notes? Now that is strange. Why would you do that? For giving tips? If you're life and death to save a fraction of a percent running around to ATMs with your plastic cards, you're likely someone staying in cheap hotels, trying to exist spending as little as possible, like some backpacker in Cambodia. But, if that's your style, getting off with trying to pay a girl as little as possible, well enjoy your lowlife self.

[Kako123]

Cash is the best when you hide it very well. Buf if you are coming here for 3 months, isn't it risky to carry all the money for 3 months? And banks don't give good exchange rates for usd or euro here and small notes worth less. For example 5, 10,20 euro. They give less money for these bills, it is strange isn't it?

Cash is best. Period. But since you go to tourist places with ATM machines, and stay in cheap hotels, it's understandable why you don't go with cash. No matter Africa 'changeing', cash and the man with it is king. Running around with your plastic cards trying to chase bank rates is no way to spend your time. But, ok, we get it; you're scared to death of getting robbed.

[Neddy69]

Cash is best. Period. But since you go to tourist places with ATM machines, and stay in cheap hotels, it's understandable why you don't go with cash. No matter Africa 'changeing', cash and the man with it is king. Running around with your plastic cards trying to chase bank rates is no way to spend your time. But, ok, we get it; you're scared to death of getting robbed.

I pay everything with cash in Africa. Except Air tickets. But you're correct. I don't run around with 1000's of Dollars in Cash. Unless you like to loose your life that is. I know plenty of idiots being robbed of 1000's of dollars. And yes. Am afraid of my life. I draw max. Until I used that up than I draw cash again. And I have two cards. A Revolut Visa Debit card and a Visa Credit card with a high credit line for emergencies. What everyone else does is of no concern to me. Or more precise I don't give a rats ass.

La Buse.

[Pokeris]

Your information is outdated. My mate was in February in Ambatalaka near the pharmacy. And it dispenses now 1.2 million. Visa only. Times are changing quickly in Africa.

I have my contacts anywhere. And these are not tourists. And MasterCard. I never said it doesn't work. But how much money you get at SocGen or BNI? Not 800.000.

Of course it depends. My Visa credit card charges high rates. And it depends on the Issuer. Generally Visa is the better choice in Africa. Period.

La Buse.

Haha tell me where is the big diffrence for me? 1. 2 million in one go or 800 k? I can take 800 k from one go with mastercard after put my card second time and take 800 k again and after again till I reach around 2. 5 million ariary (my bank max limit 500 pound per day for ATM withdrawal). And get zero fees for it with perfect exchange rate. So now sum up: Most visas card gives slightly worst exchange rates than mastercards.

Like example revolut allowed just 200 euros / pounds free ATM withdrawal per month after that charge 2 percent on top on any withdrawal and has just 300 euros / pounds maximum ATM withdrawal limit per day. Also if you use it on weekends its gives very bad exchange rate. Of course in depends from card issuer also but Mastercard for me wins against visa. If you don't use mastercard and don't know advantages or can't get the one who don't have any charges not need share misleading information. I have visas and mastercards and know which is better for me to use in africa to lose less money on using cash machines.

[Tinte]

The fee was 8'000 A per draft and I did have with maestro allays top rate.

[Golfinho]

Of course it depends. My Visa credit card charges high rates. And it depends on the Issuer. Generally Visa is the better choice in Africa. Period..

Cash is best. Period. But since you go to tourist places with ATM machines, and stay in cheap hotels, it's understandable why you don't go with cash. No matter Africa 'changeing', cash and the man with it is king. Running around with your plastic cards trying to chase bank rates is no way to spend your time. But, ok, we get it; you're scared to death of getting robbed.

[Tinte]

It has been said I the forum what kind of behavior is potential dangerous in Mada, many times! Some get the kick out of it by looking for SW but after sunset that's looking for trouble. Take care! On my first visit I observed a gang fight just next tho the sole entrance. The doorman with the famous Cowboy hat told me not to go anywhere at the moment.

Do your homework! After my first visit I took French classes again. When you speak just a halfway French you will be able to pick up girls everywhere. No French skills means you are a looser right from the start and you are limiting your self constantly frustrated.

LE Glacier, I have been told; do not sit next to the entrance with your back to the door and watching your mobile while talking with the girls! The boys passing behind the window in your back and will snatch your phone that way easy.

[Neddy69]

Where is that new type BMOI cash machine at nosybe I wonder? I was at nosybe on end of December and was using BMOI cash machine at ambataloka near pharmacy with my visa card I get 800 k max in one go. I even have receipt on my bank statement. Mastercard works perfect in Africa I been 10 different African countries and always find ATM which takes it. (except Zimbabwe) and I get perfect exchange rate with zero fees for unlimited amounts. Revolut is not so good as it charge 2 percent of currency exchange fee after certain amount. Has much better cards than revolut which don't put any fees at all if you can get them. Mastercard gives a bit better exchange rate most of the times also compare with visa. I have both 2 visas and.

2 Mastercard's cards which I take with me for travel but prefer Mastercard as I get better rates and no charges. So your statement to cut Mastercard and use visa is useless.

Your information is outdated. My mate was in February in Ambatalaka near the pharmacy. And it dispenses now 1.2 million. Visa only. Times are changing quickly in Africa.

I have my contacts anywhere. And these are not tourists. And MasterCard. I never said it doesn't work. But how much money you get at SocGen or BNI? Not 800.000.

Of course it depends. My Visa credit card charges high rates. And it depends on the Issuer. Generally Visa is the better choice in Africa. Period.

La Buse.

[Kako123]

Around 9 pm!

Yes I have seen a vazaha (an old one) robbed by small street gangs mostly below 12 years old only 100 meters away from glacier in rue de independence. I was not to far away from the scene but what I could have done. It was so fast. And I don't understand french. The man was around 60,70 years old and the small group of children gangs easily put him on the ground. At least 7, 8 children gangs ha. By the way the man was walking with a girl together (probably from glacier) she did no nothing!.

[Kako123]

Yes I have seen a vazaha (an old one) robbed by small street gangs mostly below 12 years old only 100 meters away from glacier in rue de independence. I was not to far away from the scene but what I could have done. It was so fast. And I don't understand french. The man was around 60,70 years old and the small group of children gangs easily put him on the ground. At least 7, 8 children gangs ha. By the way the man was walking with a girl together (probably from glacier) she did no nothing!.

Excellent tactics. But then again. You're an old hand. Be careful though. I would not walk later than 8 pm. Mate was mugged at rue independence 9 pm of three characters with knives and a butcher knife.

La Buse.

[Kako123]

16% Huh this is too high. I have regular visa (electron) and I lose around %2 %3 or %4 percent per transaction if there is no extra fee from Madagascar bank. If you have mastercard your best bet is MCB bank in Madagascar no extra fee for foreign cards and 800.000 ariary limit per transaction.

Use only Revolut but ONLY VISA REVOLUT. Mastercard is rubbish. With the regular Visa credit card the exchange rate plus fees. You loose 16%.

La Buse.

[Kako123]

I wish I have kept the receipt! But Neddy confirmed this too. It is not a joke!.

All cash machines can give receipt with amount you withdraw at mada so let us see some proof.

[Pokeris]

There is new Type BMOI ATM in Nosy Be. That dispenses 1. 2 million. The old ATM in Tsaralalana dispenses a Maximum of 800 k. Why I know this? That's my ATM I use since 2015 in Tana. The old ATMs can dispense maximum 40 Banknotes the new Type 60 Banknotes. As I wrote many times. Cut up your Mastercard. Only Visa is good in Africa.

La Buse.

Where is that new type BMOI cash machine at nosybe I wonder? I was at nosybe on end of December and was using BMOI cash machine at ambataloka near pharmacy with my visa card I get 800 k max in one go. I even have receipt on my bank statement. Mastercard works perfect in Africa I been 10 different African countries and always find ATM which takes it. (except Zimbabwe) and I get perfect exchange rate with zero fees for unlimited amounts. Revolut is not so good as it charge 2 percent of currency exchange fee after certain amount. Has much better cards than revolut which don't put any fees at all if you can get them. Mastercard gives a bit better exchange rate most of the times also compare with visa. I have both 2 visas and.

2 Mastercard's cards which I take with me for travel but prefer Mastercard as I get better rates and no charges. So your statement to cut Mastercard and use visa is useless.

[Neddy69]

Yes you did overpaid a bit, but both girls where happy about that amount and give you a good service wich is the most important, walking on avenue de l indpendance at night is not really dangerous (if not so old and in good physical shape) but very annoying because of the beggars, common sense must be used and everything should be fine (no flashing with smart phone, jewellery, etc).

Picking up sw while riding taxi is feasible and a good option as I myself had done it in some other area close to avenue de l indpendance.

Yes there is surely other place in Tana for prostitution but I never look for it but I think the nicest one are roaming place where there is the best chance for them to grab vazaha as the gasy customer are quite cheap Charlie. An other option which worked very well for me is to get a girl who will find and get you girls, I had that sw who the next morning did not wanted to leave and then she told me she would come back again at night with her friend which is very pretty so who I am to refuse that offer told her yes why not send me a video call when you meet her then I said to myself why bother to look for sw so I had her for the rest of my stay in Tana bringing me girls she knew a lot of sw and working girl just had to give her my preference of what I like (deep throat, heavy breast, bubbly ass, not too young 21 not too old <28 ,slim waist etc) kind of expensive cause you always double paid but do the math for airfare hotel meal and other expense and pussy will average 10-15% of all expense.

Excellent tactics. But then again. You're an old hand. Be careful though. I would not walk later than 8 pm. Mate was mugged at rue independence 9 pm of three characters with knives and a butcher knife.

La Buse.

[Neddy69]

Went few hours ago just 15 meters from Indra. 800 k max. Maybe specify where you are. Also it accepts visa only and I'm getting a slightly worse rate on visa but what can you do when your other card is being renewed.

Use only Revolut but ONLY VISA REVOLUT. Mastercard is rubbish. With the regular Visa credit card the exchange rate plus fees. You loose 16%.

La Buse.