Madagascar

[Vavy Lover]

I haven't brought cash to Mada for probably 10 years or more, since ATMs became reliable. I never got as good a rate exchanging cash as at an ATM, it was often a hassle to find a good exchange place, and USD are useless otherwise, except as a magnet for theft. Euros are more useful but mostly with ex-pat businesses (tour operators, hotels, not food). Last time I was there, middle 2022, I was able to withdraw 800 k AR from BFV on Nosy Be with my MasterCard debit, and got a rate 4000 AR / USD. Have never seen a limit as high as 1. 2 million, but you can withdraw 800 k as many times as you want up to your own banks daily withdrawal limit.

[Amadeuss]

you're likely someone staying in cheap hotels, trying to exist spending as little as possible, .

Low-life people don't get a credit card. Assume you are not entitled to get credit and therefore you only can carry cash.

Do it as you like but don't teach the majority here what's right.

Euros or Dollars cash in Madagascar in the brousse is of no use at all!

[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.