What did you think if you have been. Also what is the currency that they use? Skanes is a part of Monastir. At one time they used to be separate cities, but with growth and the population spread, they have merged.
Monastir is a very quiet city. There are some really nice Caf茅s that you can visit. One of my favorites is El Grotte. It is on the far end of the Corniche and provides a wonderful tropic setting that overlooks a small port in the Sea. They have some of the best drinks there too! I personally like the Lait de poule (like a milkshake) and the chocolate chaud (a creamy melted chocolate drink).
Monastir also has some really good restaurants! Da Pierro is a restaurant owned by an Italian man and the serve authentic Italian food - very delicious! Other good restaurants include Arabella, Dar Chickan, and of course Le Pirate!
Because Monastir is such a small and quiet city, we usually go to the next city over, Sousse, for entertainment and shopping. Sousse is only about 20 mins from us and is huge! There are tons of things to do there!
As for the money, we use the Tunisian Dinar.
Tunisian currency is NOT a fully convertible currency as of yet, so therefore it can only be purchased INSIDE of Tunisia.
Here is some conversion for you:
1TDN = 拢0.39, 拢1=2.569TDN
1TDN = 鈧?.56, 鈧?=1.778TDN
1TDN = $0.80, $1=1.258TDN
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency
(Currency rates as of 11:06 GMT on 10 October 2007)
The way the money system works is this:
1 Tunisian Dinar (TDN) = 1000 millimes.
Paper money is in denominations of 30, 20, 10 and 5.
Coins are in denominations of 5 &1 TDN, and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes.
English pounds, US Dollars, and Euros are all widely accepted at banks, hotels, and the change counter at the airports. There really is not one that is better than the other. This is also true for if you want to bring Travelers checks. Whether you bring cash or travelers checks is a personal choice that is up to you. You will get charged commission on either one you bring.
Just a quick note: Tunisia is one of the few places in the world where you will get a better exchange rate at most hotels than you will at a bank. Keep that in mind when you are changing your money.
Travelers鈥?checks and credit cards are accepted at some establishments in Tunisia, mainly in urban or tourist areas. The Tunisian dinar is not yet a fully convertible currency and Tunisian law prohibits the export or import of Tunisian bank notes or coins. Tunisian law permits the export of foreign currency that was declared when entering Tunisia. Tourists are expected to make foreign exchange transactions at authorized banks or dealers and to retain receipts for dinars obtained. Under foreign currency regulations, a tourist can reconvert to foreign currency (cash or traveler checks) 30 percent of what has been exchanged into dinars, up to a maximum of 100 dollars. Declaring foreign currency on entering Tunisia and obtaining a receipt for dinars purchased thereafter will facilitate reconverting dinars to your original currency. Keep all receipts of monetary transactions for presentation when leaving the country.
Now that the government part is over, there are cash points (ATMs) all over Tunisia, mainly in touristicy areas, and at banks. I personally wouldn't bring travelers checks as it will take a long time for them to process it when you check out because not many people use them. Really the only place that they are valuable at is a bank.
And because Tunisia is still a developing country, most places aren't set up to accept credit cards or debit cards. You'll find that only you're major stores, such as Carefour (in Tunis), and Monoprix, and Magasin General, plus a few major restaurants are equipped to handle them. Most major hotels can handle them as well.
Or bring a credit/debit card and use it at the ATM's when you need money. There is a fee for using the ATM's though, and that varies from bank to bank. Mostly the fee is between 1,500 dinars and 2 dinars. Remember though, you also get charged a fee from your bank for having to convert your normal currency into local currency. You will have to check with your bank/credit card provider to find out how much that fee would be.
My best suggestion to you is to bring the amount of money you want to have and change it little by little when you are in Tunisia. Which ever way you go, keep only the necessary cash on you, and the rest in your hotel room.
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for the information. It is going to be a huge help to us. Report It
Yes.
Stayed at the Sahara Beach Club Hotel.
Very nice, but basic.
Beach was superb.
Food excellent.
Currency is Tunisian Dinar
You cannot get it, or use it outside of Tunisia as it is a closed currency. You need to take travellers cheques and cash them in when your there. Everyone expects to get tipped. But don't let this put you off. Give them a pound or two, and they are extremely happy.
They barter for everything, and as long as you take a friendly approach, they enjoy it. Taxis to the nearest towns are usually 6 Dinar (拢3) don't pay over the odds. The medina in the town is the only place where you can get stuff at a fixed price. This will give you an idea of how much you should pay, then go to the markets, and barter to get it cheaper. It's easy.
The weather is great. We have been there in May/June and it got over 40c so it can get very hot.
Any other questions, you can email me jk_thegooner@yahoo.co.uk No - there are enough Arabs where I am. |
