Belarus Travel Guide

Belarus — Shopping

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Shopping

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

Belarusian Rouble (BYR; symbol p.). Notes are in denominations of p.100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currency should only be exchanged at banks, money-changing kiosks and official bureau 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 Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

Major 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.

Travelers Checks

May be accepted at larger banks, but cash is easier to exchange. To avoid exchange rate charges, traveler's checks should be taken in US Dollars or Euros.

Currency Restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. All remaining local currency must be reconverted at the point of departure. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared upon arrival.