Conakry is expensive, but out in the country you can get by on the smell of an oily rag. You'll only need about US$10.00 a day if you regularly stay in the cheapest hotels and eat street or market food. Because some of the lower end accommodation can leave a lot to the imagination, you may want to move up a few rungs and pay more for luxuries like running water and electricity, in which case you should budget on spending around US$20.00 - US$30.00 a day. If you want to stay in international-style hotels - although there are precious few of them outside Conakry - and eat at the best restaurants, count on spending over US$100.00 or more a day.

Service in banks in Conakry is usually good, although in banks up country it can be a lot slower. Exchange bureaus and black marketeers (most are above board, but always be wary) generally offer a rate about 5% better than the official exchange rate, but usually only for cash. In the banks you'll get a better exchange rate for US dollars, euros and CFA than for any other currency. There is a bank at Conakry Airport, but you can't expect to find it open. None of the banks will change Guinea francs back into hard currency, but the exchange bureaus and street changers will. Only a few hotels in the capital accept credit cards (don't let the card out of your sight, numbers are often stolen), but BICIGUI banks in most large towns will advance cash on Visa cards.

In the more 'European' restaurants you normally tip about 10% of the bill, but otherwise try and find out what locals are tipping, if they are at all. Bargaining is normal in the markets, and even in some places to stay, but not, of course, in top-of-the-range hotels.

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