Shore excursions- taxis, tours, atm's etc.

[asdfjean]

As per suggestions on CC, we won't book any on shore excursions that we have to pay for in advance...but we will have a good idea of what we want to do.

 

With that in mind, would I presume that we should catch the first tender possible, run to an ATM for local money and then find the tour operator of our choice- presumably in a little booth right at the pier? I've read of ATM's being out of money, taxi drivers that don't speak English etc. I believe we will prefer a tour to a taxi driver and that we don't want to go on the cruise ship's offerings.

 

Thanks!

[caber]

If you are in the Caribbean the US dollar is accepted everywhere.

 

For anywhere else you will know the countries you are going to. Why not buy your currency in advance at home. That would cut out the trip to the ATM and the charges they incur sometimes.

[asdfjean]

It's a 'round the Horn cruise to these 3 SA countries...seems sometimes the tour operators might take USD but others, perhaps restaurants, the markets, won't. With time in port typically short we want to make the most of the tours...

[cb at sea]

Bring the cash you will need, and forget about the ATMs! You'll save the fee, and the time!

[FEMH]

I would normally suggest getting money from a bank or ATM upon arrival in each country, as the exchange rate for doing this at home before leaving is quite unfavorable, but in the case of being in port for only a few hours, I think I would try to bring the cash with me. You could also see if the ship will change your US dollars for you, but this exchange rate will not be good either.

[asdfjean]

Well here' what we're now thinkin--since we'll be in Santiago/Valpo for a few days before the cruise, we'll "load up" on some Chilean money there. Then we'll bring some Argentinian money with us to avoid having to find a "full" ATM at our first Argentinian port... if anybody has a better idea, let us know. I rather doubt the ship will change our money, don't you think?