Mauritania Info
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 13
Home Country: mauritania
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 Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:26 am Post subject: SHOPPING IN MAURITANIA / MAURITANIA SHOPPING GUIDE |
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SHOPPING IN MAURITANIA
Mauritania has a good range of offers for travellers looking for interesting items to shop. The main problem is that the general price level of Mauritania makes this slightly expensive. The best way of getting souvenirs at good prices, is to bring along Western goods for a trade. These products are very expensive in Mauritania and often hard for locals to get by. Such a trade will often leave both parties very satisfied.
Handicrafts such as dyed leather cushions and some engraved silver items, rugs and woodcarvings can be bought on the open market. A fine selection of silver jewellery, daggers, wood and silver chests, carpets and decorated nomad tents can be bought in the crafts centre in Nouakchott. Unique to the Tagant region are neolithic arrowheads, awls and pottery, while at Boutilimit in the south is a Marabout centre (Institute of High Islamic Studies) where fine carpets of goat and camel hair are made.
As for what to bring, the rule is that you bring all typical Western products. You either don't get it in Mauritania, or you pay more than you would be doing back home.
Shopping hours
Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1400-1900.
Banking hours
Sun-Thurs 0800-1600.
Currency
Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRO) = 5 khoums. Notes are in denominations of MRO1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of MRO20, 10, 5 and 1, and 1 and 0.2 khoums.
Currency exchange
Currency declaration forms are issued on arrival and should be kept. Currencies can be exchanged at the airport or at the main banks in Nouakchott. It is illegal to exchange money on the black market.
Credit & debit cards
Generally not accepted. American Express is accepted in a few hotels in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheques
Limited use. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Currency restrictions
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 balance of foreign currency not spent but declared on entry may be exported, but the import declaration must be produced. |
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