Mauritania - Money

Currency & Money

Currency information:

A single Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU) = 5 khoums. Notes are in denominations of MRU1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of MRU20, 10, 5, 1 and 0.2 Ouguiya.

Credit cards:

Credit cards can be used in a few hotels in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. There are some hotels that only accept Visa cards.

ATM:

There are very few ATMs, but some do accept foreign credit or debit cards.

Travellers cheques:

Travellers’ cheques are of limited use and shouldn’t be relied on. Travellers are advised to take travellers’ cheques in US Dollars if the use of one is absolutely necessary.

Banking hours:

Sun-Thu 0800-1600.

Currency restriction:

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. There is no restriction on the import of foreign currency provided the amount is declared on arrival. The export of foreign currency must not exceed the amount declared on arrival.

Currency exchange:

Currency declaration forms are issued on arrival and should be kept. US dollars and euros can be exchanged at the airport, at the main banks in Nouakchott, in some hotels or at official bureaux de change. It is illegal to exchange money on the black market.

Getting around

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