Ethiopia — Shopping
Shopping
Special purchases include local jewelry (sold by the weight of gold or silver), woodcarvings, illuminated manuscripts and prayer scrolls, wood and metal crosses, leather shields, spears, drums and carpets. In marketplaces, bargaining is expected, but prices at shops in towns are fixed.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1300, 1400-2000; Sat 0900-1300, 1500-1900 (with local variations).
Currency
Ethiopian Birr (ETB; symbol Br) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Br100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Currency Exchange
US Dollar bills are the most convenient currency to exchange.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs
Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted on a very limited basis.
Travelers Checks
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. They are difficult to exchange outside the capital.
Currency Restrictions
The import of local currency is limited to Br100. The export of local currency up to Br100 is permitted, provided the traveler holds a re-entry permit. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on arrival.
Banking Hours
Mon-Thurs 0800-1500; Fri 0800-1100 and 1330-1500; Sat 0830-1100.
Exchange Rate
| 1.00 GBP = 27.49 ETB |
| 1.00 USD = 17.11 ETB |
| 1.00 EUR = 24.15 ETB |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
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