What do you mean foreigners can't get money inside mauritania? What is wrong with ATMs or Western Union? Please explain....

There are no ATM's or Western Union in Mauritania. Foreigners are not alowed to take out money in the bank either. The bank is only for Mauritanians.

Well I don't remember having any problems in Atar a few years ago. Have things changed?

In other words.. don't lose a minute talking to the embassies . They know jack $hit about the situation in their own countries.

Javier's got it in one!

I have had so many 'run-ins' with embassies especially in W.Africa; most of them want you to pay the visa where they are to pocket money. You might pay X for the cost of a visa in country Y and X+20% in country Z ... it's a bit of a lottery and as Javier rightly points out, the best place to get info on things like this is from a forum for prices & 'where best' to get the visas!

Kira

I have only been in Mauritania this april when I crossed it both ways, to and from Senegal. I try to get money in Nouakchott and it was there I was told that foreigners are not alowed to take out money in the banks and that there is no ATM's in Mauritania. I did not see any reason for them to lie about this, since this information forzed me to leave Mauritania right away. I actually had to get one of the "guides" in Rosso to pay for me when leaving Mauritania. Then He had to pay for the ferry and at the end he had to pay all at the Senegales side. After that he took a taxi, with me following him on my motorcycle, to Richard Toll where it was an ATM. Then I paid him all the expencives he had and an extra 25 Euros/33Dollars for his service.

Terje

Hmm, not so far heard that there is no opportunity to get money in Mauri. Can anyone confirm or disconfirm this please?
Many thanks Lotty

There was an ATM in NKT (Jan 2006) whether it's still there & functional, I'm not sure ...

NKT & NBD are your best bets for money, but I've always had enough cash on me for the duration

Kira

HI ..

It is definitely possible to get money in RIM . The only law is that you can NOT take Mauritaian Ougiyas (UAM) out of the country . -with some execptions- , and nor you can bring them in .

Someone pointed out that buying Ougiyas is a good deal , as -given the impossiblilty of taking them out of the Country - they are actually worth more as a collector's note in EU than their real value in RIM . The new series , are worth in Madrid around 30 Euros in currency colectibles shops , while their real value is less than 12.

back to getting money in RIM.


For a start , western Union works as ussual . It charges a hefty comission , but iIt works like a charm . And there are lots , -really - lots of Western Union shops in Mauritania .

and of course -if you are a foreightner - you can use a Western Union . There couldnt be a law against that ... And EVEN IF IT WERE THAT LAW (which is not ) YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY ASK SOME MAURITANIAN TO GET THE CASH FOR YOU.


Also , there was a Cashpoint in Nouachott . It was working perfectly. Near the market.

All major hotels will give you a Cash advance on your Visa card for the 10% !!! of the ammount . Its a lot , but sometimes that can be usefull . In Nouadibou head for "Cansado" . There is a hotel and a club .. and there you can get fresh notes with your Visa Card.

Also , the brothels in the harbourside -Nouadibou - will give you cash on your Card . They seem legit.

That fantastic pizza shop in Nouachott , also gives you cashback if you pay with Credit Cards.

and so on . No need to worry at all about cash in RIM.

Chad is way way way worse - believe me- in this aspect. No way to get cash from the outside world

Javier

I guess they just didn't want my money in Mauritania ...or maybe I should consider changeing my perfume?