01Where to actually exchange money
Authorised money changers (look for official licensing signage, and stick to well-reviewed, established ones rather than the cheapest-looking rate on a side street) generally beat hotel exchange desks by a real margin — hotels are convenient but consistently offer worse rates.
02Common rate scams to know about
A small number of money changers use rigged calculators showing a favourable rate before quietly recalculating a worse one, or count out your cash quickly hoping you won't verify it — count everything yourself before leaving the counter, and compare a couple of changers' posted rates before committing.
03ATMs as an alternative
Withdrawing directly from ATMs (see our money & SIM cards guide) often works out better value than exchanging cash, once you account for typically better exchange rates, offset against whatever withdrawal fees your home bank charges — worth comparing both methods rather than assuming one is always better.
04What to avoid entirely
Street-side changers offering rates dramatically better than everyone else nearby are the clearest red flag — a rate that looks too good relative to the market is the most reliable sign something's off with how the transaction will actually be calculated.
05Practical tips
Check a live exchange rate on your phone before exchanging so you know roughly what to expect, and always count your cash in front of the counter staff before walking away — a completely normal, expected practice here, not an awkward implication of distrust.