Currency
Pula (P) = 100 thebe. Notes are in denominations of P100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 thebe. Various gold and silver coins were issued to mark the country’s 10th anniversary of independence, and are still legal tender.
Currency exchange
Money should be exchanged in banks at market rates. There are four main commercial banks in the country (Barclays Bank of Botswana, First National Bank, Stanbic Bank Botswana and Standard Charted Bank) with branches in major towns and villages. Owing to limited facilities in small villages, it is advisable to change money at the airport or in major towns, where credit card cash advances may also be available. There are also Exchange Bureaus at major border posts.
Credit & debit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. However, the majority of tourist facilities accept credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Most hotels accept traveller's cheques, but the surcharge may be high.
Currency restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import of local or foreign currencies, provided declared on arrival. Export of local currency is limited to P50 and foreign currencies up to amount declared on arrival.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Pula against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | Aug '04 | Nov '04 | Feb '05 | May '05 | | £1.00= | 8.78 | 8.35 | 8.49 | 8.64 | | $1.00= | 4.76 | 4.41 | 4.49 | 4.66 |
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1530; Sat 0815-1045. Most banks work these core hours with occasional regional differences.
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