Wooden caskets, trinket boxes, straw items, decorative plates and other handicraft items are good buys. Typical Russian souvenirs like the wooden
matreshka dolls and original
samovars are also available. Scarina Avenue is the main street with antique shops and two department stores. Only Belarusian Roubles are accepted. However, nearly every shop has a currency exchange counter. Some shops are closed on Sunday, but tourist shops are usually open every day. Antiquities, valuables, works of art and manuscripts other than those offered for sale in souvenir shops require an export license.
Shopping hours Mon-Sat 0900-2000. In big cities shops are open daily and many open 24 hours a day.
Currency Information:CurrencyBelarusian Rouble (BYR). Notes are in denominations of BYR100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10.
Currency ExchangeForeign currency should only be exchanged at banks, money-changing kiosks and official bureaux de change, and all transactions must be recorded on the currency declaration form which is issued on arrival. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts. It is best to change money in US dollars, Euros or Russian roubles since travelers may encounter difficulties with other currencies. Most aspects of a tour, including accommodation, transport and meals, are paid before departure (through
Belintourist or a recognized tour operator), so large amounts of spending money are not necessary. The US dollar or Euros are the preferred foreign currencies. Some foreign currencies may be hard to exchange.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsMajor international credit and debit cards, including American Express, Cirrus, Electron, MasterCard, Maestro and Visa are accepted in some larger hotels and at foreign currency shops and restaurants. There are a number of ATMs in central Minsk.
Traveller's ChequesMay be accepted at larger banks, but cash is easier to exchange. To avoid exchange rate charges, traveller’s cheques should be taken in US Dollars or Euros.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 0900-1700.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Apr 07 |
| £1.00= | BYR4,235.65 |
| $1.00= | BYR2,144.20 |
| €1.00= | BYR2,865.40 |
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