New Caledonia — Shopping
Shopping
In Nouméa, boutiques sell fashionable French clothes, mainly casual but sometimes haute couture. Other purchases include luxury French goods such as perfume, jewelry and footwear, and silk scarves, sandals and handbags from France and Italy can also be found. Duty-free items are also sold. Local items include curios made of shells, coral, woodcarving, ceramics, hand-painted materials and aloha shirts.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1100 and 1400-1800, Sat 0730-1100.
Currency
French Pacific Franc (XPF). Notes are in denominations of XPF10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XPF100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.
New Caledonia is part of the French Monetary Area. Australian and New Zealand dollars are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants. The French Pacific Franc is tied to the Euro. For further details on the Euro, see France section.
Currency Exchange
Exchange facilities are available at the airport and at main branches of banks, but may charge a steep commission. Howvere, Euro exchange is in theory free from commission.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs
American Express and Visa are widely accepted; Diners Club and MasterCard have more limited use. ATMs are available in Nouméa, but sometimes have a maximum weekly withdrawal limit.
Travelers Checks
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in Euros. There is, however, a charge for each transaction.
Currency Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency if arriving from or traveling to a country in the European Union. Import and export of local or foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of €10,000 if arriving or traveling from a non-European Union country and must be declared above this amount.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0730-1545.
Exchange Rate
| 1.00 GBP = 156.7 XPF |
| 1.00 USD = 97.55 XPF |
| 1.00 EUR = 137.7 XPF |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
