dollars to pesos--questions

[Jeff S]

... in response to Try Buying Shoes! LOL, posted by Dave H on Nov 3, 2004

Not too many people could have used the term "clinched butt cheeks" and used the icon =8oO in a response to a post about the monetary exchange rate. Once again you earned the title "Sensei." Reminds me of Revenge of the Nerds 2, Nerds in Paradise.

- Jeff

[Dave H]

... in response to I had faith in you Dave..., posted by Jeff S on Nov 3, 2004

[This message has been edited by Dave H]

Hi Jeff,

Wasn't sure how I was going to tie "clinched butt cheeks" =8oO into a post about exchanging money. ))) Fortunately, my bowels weren't acting up at the money changers! I would be interested in reading about the aftermath of culinary misadventures in Asia by the Grand Master "Rhode Island Ripper" and others. Have you ever eaten one of Ray's favorites in Japan? "Whaledog  On-A-Stick" LOL

Dave H.

[Nathan]

... in response to Re: Re: dollars to pesos--questions, posted by Ray on Nov 1, 2004

Ray,

    Actually, having lived in Cagayan De Oro, I fequently exchanged money
in the very mall youi are talking about, the Gaisano City dept. store actually, and I was rarely there more than 10-15 minutes and it was ALWAYS a much better experience than going to a bank where it can easily take an hour...take a number and be seated please, and the rate was usually better than the banks as well. There might be some easier outlet for exchange sometimes, but street changers and banks are low on my list.
   Of course, the best service you will get is an ATM, when they are working....

Nathan

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: dollars to pesos--questions, posted by Nathan on Nov 1, 2004

Nathan,

I never used banks over there for changing money. I guess the department stores are a safe place to change your dollars, but in 35 years of changing dollars to pesos, I have never had to show ID or fill out forms, except at the department stores. I always preferred the legal money change booths and always got good rates and never had any problems.

After I married, I let the wife handle the money in the Phils. She changed the dollars, deposited it in her PNB account, and used her ATM card for routine withdrawals. She’s usually better with money than I am :-)

Ray

[Ray]

... in response to dollars to pesos--questions, posted by Luther on Oct 29, 2004

Luther,

DO NOT CHANGE YOUR DOLLARS HERE!!!

Do it over there and you'll get a much better rate. Bring NEW $100 bills and change $100 at the airport in manila. Let your girl change the rest later as you need it.

Ray

[Rota20]

... in response to NO!, posted by Ray on Oct 29, 2004

Also, make sure you change ALL of your pesos at the airport before you leave the Phils.  When I left the Phils I had 5,000 pesos left in my luggage that I thought I would be able to exchange here in Japan but apparently it can't be exchanged anywhere outside the Phils.  Maybe you could somewhere in the US but I wouldn't take my chances.  Plus if the customs guy catches you with more than 500 pesos you'll be turned away from getting to your gate and told to go all the way back past security to exchange your pesos.

[Greg]

... in response to Re: NO!, posted by Rota20 on Oct 29, 2004

I used to keep enough pesos for departure at airport, gave the rest to my Ex. As Ray Said, Take plenty of clean hundred dollar bills, twenties. Hide $$, cards, important documents in a waist and calf money belt. Don't forget debit ATM cards for emergencies. Keep an old wallet handy with a couple of pesos incase of robbery. Make copies of your passport, carry the copy, keep original PP in a safe place. I plan on going back to RP soon, last I was there was in 2001.

[Luther]

... in response to Re: Re: NO!, posted by Greg on Oct 30, 2004

Sounds like a spy mission.  Where do I buy waist and calf money belts?  Thanks for all your suggestions.  I have to take a lot of money with me and was wondering where to keep it.  I don't suppose atm machines over there dispense $20 bills?  I will miss using debit cards.

[Greg]

... in response to James Bond stuff, posted by Luther on Oct 30, 2004

I use sandwich bags for $$$, hide what money not needed in soiled underwear or socks. Bring plenty of cash, I only brought the debit cards for emergencies. Your Pinay can take you to different money changers for the best dollar to peso rate. Rates changes daily from low to high. Usually I would exchange one $100 at a time, depending on the rate. There are different money and calf belts to choose from at luggage and travel stores. I would recommend the travel stores, you can also get advice. Buy a Philippines lonely planet travel guide. Only drink bottled water, even when brushing teeth. I wouldn't buy cooked food from outside vendors.

[Rota20]

... in response to James Bond stuff, posted by Luther on Oct 30, 2004

What kind of debit/credit card do you use? Visa? Master Card?  Master Card is the most widely accepted card in the PI and finding an ATM that accepts it is easy.  I use Visa and sometimes finding an ATM that accepted it wasn't easy.  Other cards like Discover or Diners Club Int'l. are even harder to use at ATMs.  If you use Visa, a bank called Equitable PCI's ATMs accept it as well as many others that usually aren't.

[yorktr]

... in response to Re: James Bond stuff, posted by Rota20 on Oct 30, 2004

You can get money belts and the like through camping/travel stores such as Campmor, REI, and Rand McNally. There is a Walgreens's on Lombard near Divisidaro which has a nice seclection of travel gear. I think there is a Rand McNally store on Market near California. REI has stores in Cupertino and Berkeley. Campmor.com probably has better prices.

[Dave H]

... in response to Re: Re: James Bond stuff, posted by yorktr on Oct 30, 2004

Hi yorktr,

...Rand McNally...you jarred some old memories lose. I ran many rescue calls over the years on a Rand McNally heiress. You would have never known her wealth, as she never took a bath, and spent most of her time drinking and wandering the streets with her boyfriend. She was often quite comical. We were called to the local Methodist Church one Sunday morning because she was mooning parishioners on their way to worship. ;o))) It seems that they were bothering her as she tried to sleep on the steps, her favorite drinking spot. The not so funny...the time she got pissed at her boyfriend and put his eye out with a hammer. ;o(

Dave H.