ATM Machines Maestro debit card

I've been using travel checks for probably 20 years during my travels but I ve been strongly advised against them in Sri Lanka. I've never taken neither mobile phone nor debit card or credit card with me. It's against my religion(especially mobile phone). However allmost everyone encourages me (tempts me) to take a debit card so I'll probably sin and do so. I,ve been told that Maestro debit card is not good (that's the one I have) since lots of ATMs in SL don't accept it and even if they do the commission is much higher in comparison with visa for example. Would you be so kind and comment on it please. I still have some TC from my last trip but I don't want to buy more (it's a lot of husstle in Poland,you've got to go to a big city,open an account in USD and then you can buy TC). So I wanna be more up to date and take a debit card(not credit card). Any advice deeply appreciated. Peace and love Jan

ATMs are widely available in Sri Lanka. They're better than TC's because you'll get a better exchange rate and also not have to wait in long lines at the banks. Just make sure you take enough cash to cover you through the hill country if you plan to visit that region as I'm not certain you'll find ATMs there.
Also, your bank should be able to tell you if your debit card will work internationally. You might also inform them (and your credit card company) of your travel plans. Sometimes they think they're being helpful by freezing your cards if they see transactions go through that seem out of the norm (ie. oversees).

Hi Janski,

when we were trveling with TC we didn't have any problem with them. so I think still you can use them if you dont like the other options.

sorry that i couldnt reply your previos post as I do not come to forum veryofften.
And for your previous post for me,
Actually I cant recall exact prices of all the places i mentioned. In Hotel Thilanka They charged 4500 Sl rupees.( i got this price because of my driver Mashi mashi_tours@yahoo.com. normally its expensive but for regular drivers they reduse the price.) King fern In Nuwaraeliya 1000 SL rupees, Sun top Inn Ella 1200 Sl rupees. I dont have write down any other prices and sorry i cant remember as well. I dont Know whether they have cahnged the prices now.But I can highly recommend all the places which i mentioned in my post as very good places.
violet

Thanx a lot for your replies. I've talked to somebody today who told me that when comes to debit card I would be much better off if I changed Maestro card to Visa debit card. Apparently using Maestro is much worse deal since the money is beeing converted 3 times (Poland isn,t in euro zone yet) and therefore the commission is much higher than for Visa card. I still have time to change it but I'm not sure if it's worth it. If you could help me to make decision I'd be greatful. Thanx in advance.

On my last trip in April I had a Maestro Card. A number of ATMs had stickers saying they accepted it but most actually did not. It was a real problem. Luckily I had a Visa credit card which was accepted but of course commission was expensive. I also took TCs and mainly used them. It can take ages to change them in a bank but otherwise no problem. I met a couple with no TCs and only Maestro Cards. They were in a bank in Galle with 50 Rupees between them and were trying to get money wired from a bank in the UK. So be wary of Maestro.

Visa seems to be fine from what I gather.

Sorry, could someone tell me whats TC? (im not english) Thanks!

Ahoj Vzorin. TC stands for Travel Checks (I,ve always been using American Express TC,you've probably heard of them) Thanx a lot guys for your replies.

Wadiwaman- Thanx for your info, could you please tell me what's the commission using Visa card? A woman in my bank told me that up to 30%. Is it possible, it sounds awful high. Do you think taking Maestro card with me makes no sense at all or I'll still be able to find ATMs that accept them?

If your card gets eaten by a machine on a sunday afternoon, and you have an early bus on monday, you're screwed. I would recommend both ATM card and TC's.

Take some cash, the most reliable in Asia:)

No the commission is nothing like that - I think it is between 3 and 5 % roughly. Still quite a lot if you rely on a credit card rather than a debit card. As said above, the worry is that a bank may gobble up your card as well and then you are stuffed. I am still happier with Travellers Cheques to be honest - no problems apart from the time taken to change them as it often involves 4 ot 5 people, cups of tea, my life history, how much do I like Sri Lanka, how many times I have been etc. But I actually quite enjoy all that so it is not a problem. But I have not heard bad reports from people apart from those with Maestro debit Cards so I am not intending to stop people taking cards. Just that I always have a nervous momemt waiting to see whether a) it will give me money and b) it will give me back my card.

Steve

Thanx Steve for all your info. I think I've been right using Travel Checks in the last 20 years and will stick to it. Thanx again