ATM Card or Traveller Checks?

[zsmith]

Hi,

Just wondering what the best way is to handle your money in Nepal?
Should I use my ATM Card to get local currency or is it better to exchange US-Dollar Traveller Checks??
Also are they any ATM's available outside of Kathmandu and Pokhara?
Thanks for your input!!

[Sharon]

I used the ATM's but carried travellers cheques just in case. No ATM's outside of the big cities...Sometimes when there was a bandt the ATM's were not serviced. I love seeing those rupees spew out. Also if you keep an exchange receipt from chnaging travellers cheques at least once you can switch back the rupees if you have too many. Course I love to have some extra for th e next trip...

[JMorris]

Are there any security concerns relating to the use of ATMs in Nepal? I believe I heard mention among the threads of some criminal expertise surrounding credit cards in the country, and that persons should exercise caution with visa/etc. Is this also a concern at bank machines?

[yakshaver]

Are there any security concerns relating to the use of ATMs in Nepal? I believe I heard mention among the threads of some criminal expertise surrounding credit cards in the country, and that persons should exercise caution with visa/etc. Is this also a concern at bank machines?

I have used the ATM at Kathmandu Guest House, as well as another one in Thamel near Pub Maya, and in Pokhara. Never had any problems. I guess the problems, if any, would be when you pay by credit card at some shody establishment. Have cash for that...
I paid by credit card for my hotel bill etc. Never had any problems. Unlike Bangkok, where I had some issues when I staid there comming back from Nepal in December.

By the way, you can't use travellers cheques on trek. No one will exchange them, I believe. Mostly Nepali rupees. Some of the bigger lodges might accept dollars or euros, I dont' know. Santa tells me always to take rupees on trek.

[Sharon]

There are very few places that take credit cards in Nepal. The ATM's are bank machines unlike some of the little machines that are privately owned in N.A.
There is a bank in Namche but in general carry rupees and lots of them!