Money

You will have trouble getting change when spending unless your purchase is $80 or more as most vendors don't like getting larger banknotes than $10 or $20 dollars.... I would try and change them for smaller stuff in a bank....

thank you

What about hostls,larger supermarkets...................do they take $100 dollar bills

Hundred dollar bills are very difficult to spend, partly because of the issue with making change, partly because of counterfeiting concerns. As noted above, don't use it for smaller purchases. Even 20s are hard to use unless you are paying a tab of more than $10. If you have a particular hostal in mind, contact them and see if they'd accept the 100. Supermarkets like SuperMaxi or MegaMaxi will take them, but don't expect to spend $20 and get change.

Don't know where you're at, but if you're in the U.S., bring a stash of 1s and 5s. If you're already in Quito, maybe you could meet up with the folks who posted here who are in search of new 100s to exchange in Argentina.

Thank you

I've got some hundreds and some fifty dollar notes. I was hoping to use them for accommodation and a cruise. I can't imagine carrying that much in 20s. Surely the cruise ships will take them?

For a large purchase such as a cruise, you'll be able to use your large notes (but do have smaller bills to get as close as possible to the exact amount). For instance, if your cruise totals $1843, have some 20s and 1s or 5s at the ready. Same with hotels--don't expect ready change if your tab is $43 and you pay with a 100.

Thanks Azbuceadora. I'll get some small notes. Just monitoring the rate. The dollar is gaining against the pound. Not good for us. What denomination of notes do the cash machines in Ecuador dispense? We will be using ATMs mainly. Can't carry enough cash round for 5 1/2 weeks.

The ATMs generally spit out 20s; when I lived in Quito I tried to use Banco Internacional's machines as they often included a few 10s and 5s. I didn't realize you were in the U.K. For that, I wouldn't sweat too much getting smaller bills.

Thanks for that Azbuceadora. Yes we're in the UK. Long flight for us, but worth it.