I used a thing called a Travellex card when I went to the US. I bought the card in US dollars and I can recharge it online from my normal bank account as I go, just allowing for the transfer times, I allowed 5 working days.

This allowed me to get cash from any VISA cash dispenser, as a cash advance from pretty much anywhere I needed it.

Note though, they have limits. They charged me 2-3 bucks for each transaction so I made sure I took out the daily limit of $800. Some Central and South American cash dispensers would not allow this, so the max they would give me was $150 and it still cost the same, factor this in.

There is also a limit to the amount of funds passing through that card or $30,000 in 12 months, so if you use it for ALL purchases as well as cash, this can soon add up, then you must return home for a new one, just keep this in mind, it is to stop international money laundering.

As for carrying cash all over the bike, yes it is a good idea to do so. But, not thousands and thousands of dollars. I carried $300 in low denomination US dollars for emergencies on my bike. I also carried most of my cash money on my person but not in my wallet, only a minimal amount there.

Make sure if you take a credit card, that you take two, one Visa one Mastercard(do not take american express, no shop wants them). The reason for two is because if like me you get scammed. you can cancel that card, apply for a refund and still have spending power on the other one. Recently I only had one card and when it was cancelled I then had to wait in Buenes Aires for an extra week or so before I got an emergency card sent out and could then buy a plane ticket out of there.

Cheers
TS

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