Money, Currency and Cards in Tanzania
Local Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
General Advice
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). There are 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500 and 200 notes and 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 shilling coins. US dollars are usually always accepted in hotels, restaurants, national parks fees, large shops.
Money Exchange
Cash can be exchanged in banks in all major towns, though you may need to be prepared to queue. In the larger towns, there are Foreign Exchange shops which tend to be faster than banks. Rates can vary everywhere so it is always best to shop around. If you are exchanging US dollars you will often get a better rate for larger denomination notes.
ATM Availability
ATMs are becoming more widely available; however, they are subject to breakdowns and should not be relied on. Check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator web page for the addresses of ATMs around the world.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are accepted by some large restaurants, shops and hotels, always check in advance, some establishments will charge commission for this service. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity.
Travellers Cheques
Traveller's cheques in US dollars, pounds sterling and euros are widely accepted and can be changed in all banks and exchange bureau.
Other Information
You can re-convert Tanzania shillings into hard currency at Dar Es Salaam or Kilimajaro International Airports or in Exchange shops, make sure that you keep some of your exchange receipts, rates will always be poor.
