Mali Embassies World Wide:

Mali Money and Credit cards

Foreign exchange : Euros and USDollars are readily exchangeable in Bamako and other capital cities.

NB: Large denominations ($100, 100€, 200€, 500€) are preferred and provide a better exchange rate than smaller bills.

Travelers checks are also exchangeable, but not as readily as cash—you should expect to pay a commission of 5-20% on travellers checks .

**Be prepared for lengthy procedures to exchange travellers checks, and be sure to have your purchase receipt — some banks and exchange bureaus will not exchange travellers checks without the purchase receipt.

In the interior of Mali and other countries, cash may also be exchanged (not quite as easily as in the capital cities), but travelers checks likely not.

Credit cards : Please note that credit cards are very little used in our local cash economies — only at a few banks, large hotels and restaurants in Bamako and other major cities. Visa card is usually the only card accepted, and sometimes, MasterCard or American Express ; despite American Express' publicity, it is not widely utilized in West Africa. In the interior of any country, do not count on using credit cards at all. It is nevertheless a good idea to bring a Visa card for emergency use in the capital cities.

There is one ATM in Mali, located in Bamako. It accepts only Visa card, and gives a maximum cash advance of 200,000 CFA, approximately $400, at current exchange rate.

There are also Western Union outlets in Bamako, Sikasso, Kayes, Segou, Mopti, and Timbuktu, where cash can be transferred and accessed the same day.

Mali Local currency, exchange rates

The local currency is called 'CFA' and is utilized in several other West African countries, namely: Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast and Senegal.

Approximate exchange rates as of August 2007 are:
480 CFA = $1 US
650 CFA = 1 Euro
1 Euro = $1.37 US

When checking the exchange rate with a Currency Converter, remember that these sites typically list the interbank rate, whereas the retail rate is what you will get locally.

Tipping and Gratuities in Mali

Tipping is discretionary, not required. A small tip is a traditional way of expressing one's respect, as well as appreciation for good services.

Here are some guidelines and local norms:

- tour guide/escort: approx. 8 €/day (~5000 CFA/day)
- tour driver: approx. 6 €/day (~3000-4000 CFA/day)
- local guide: approx. 5 €/day or per visit (~3000 CFA)
- restaurant staff: 1 €/person/meal (~500 CFA)
- bag porters: 1 €/bag (500 CFA)

(all tips should be offered in local currency)

Mali Tour Clothing : What to wear

In West Africa, clothing is adapted to the climate, so you will see local people wearing loose and light items, and it is a good idea to follow this lead. Men and women can wear bermuda shorts, but it is best to cover the thighs, down to the knees; women should avoid any tight-fitting items.

Cotton and other natural fabrics are more comfortable in this climate than man-made fibers. You should pack a light jacket or sweater for the months of December or January, especially for Timbuktu or for any camping nights. And a rain jacket or umbrella might be handy during the rainy months of August and September; during the high season of November-February, it is unlikely that you will see a drop of rain.

For protection against malaria and/or other mosquito-borne disease, we recommend wearing long trousers and long-sleeve shirts in the evening hours.

Tip: In Mali as in other Muslim countries, better to err on the side of modesty; off the playing field, shorts are considered childrens' wear.

Luggage

Soft luggage is preferred over trunks or hard-sided suitcases. Luggage allowance on flights to/from the US and Europe is normally two bags of up to 70 pounds (32 kgs) each, for each ticket holder. But on domestic flights in Mali the baggage allowance is 15 kilograms (33 pounds) per person, plus one small carry-on item; you will need to pay excess baggage fees for anything over that amount.

Tip: Always use locks on your luggage.

Tip: Do not place medications in your checked luggage, which can be lost or delayed; always keep medications in your carry-on bag.

Packing : What to Bring

Tip: Make photocopies of your passport (the ID page and the Mali visa page) and your airline tickets; obviously you should carry these separately from the real items.

Tip: If you require a hair dryer or travel iron, you'll need to bring your own, as they are not available in the hotels.

Tip: Disposable razors are more convenient than electric ones.

Suggested packing list:

• clothing should consist of cotton summer items, plus a sweater or windbreaker for cool evenings, especially in Timbuktu; don't forget a swimsuit, as some hotels have swimming pools
• it's highly unlikely that you'll see a drop of rain from November through March
• white clothes (e.g. t-shirts) get pretty dirty, pretty fast; you'll feel cleaner, longer, with light colored clothing
• a bandana or large scarf to cover your head, mouth and nose; for windy days
• a hat to provide good sun protection
• sunglasses are practically indispensable—store them in a hard case
• a flashlight (torch), for when the power fails; headlamps are particularly useful for campers
• you may do quite a bit of walking, so good walking shoes are a must; these need not be hiking boots
• sandals are good for relaxing or when driving
• rubber flip flops are ideal for campers, when utilizing outdoor showers; they can be purchased locally for about $1
• if you require a good pillow for a good night's sleep, you should bring your own travel pillow; the hotels do provide pillows but they are sometimes hard and small
• toilet paper is not always available and it is worth the space it takes up in your luggage
• campers should definitely bring a towel
• do bring your own shampoo as there won't be any samples in the hotels
• hand-sanitizer (keep it handy)
• contact lenses can be problematic in this dusty climate; glasses are more practical; keep them stored in a hard case
• a money belt
• a small back pack
• padlocks for luggage
• safety pins, needle and thread
• bring a sufficient supply of film, cassettes and appropriate batteries for your photography and filming needs, as you may not find these items locally
• a small travel alarm clock, with fresh batteries
• a pocket dictionary of French phrases may be handy
• a medical kit (see the health section above)
• sports bars, dried fruit, trail mix, etc., if you like to snack; do not bring chocolate, it will melt
• you should bring all toiletries (including soap, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products) that you will likely need
  
  

Domestic flight excess baggage

(Nov. 2006) On domestic flights, the baggage allowance is 15 kg/passenger. Excess baggage charges are approx. 2.00 Euros/kg of excess weight (price subject to change; 1 kg = 2.2 pounds).

Airport tax

There is no longer any airport tax in Bamako; this fee is included in the price of air tickets.