Travelers Checks

by Gilbert
(USA)

I expect to travel to Cuenca, Ecuador, within the next few days. If I purchase American Express checks here in USA, can they be easily cashed in a major bank in Cuenca?

*****

Most of the larger banks (probably not the credit unions, though) will cash your travelers checks.

And the larger, more expensive hotels will too.

But don't expect the smaller locations, and small retailers, to cash them. Ecuador is too much of a cash economy to accept what they'll see as a risky piece of paper.

Jeff

Comments for
Travelers Checks

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Traveller's Cheques
by: Susan B

We came with these cheques to pay our first month's rent in case we didn't have a chance to get to an ATM. They are virtually impossible to cash unless you go to the Vas Cambio in City Centro - we tried three different banks and our property manager was unable to use them at his bank - so the advice of sticking to the ATM's really is important to heed!

Just make sure that your daily withdrawal maximum amount will cover your highest expense so that you don't have to return a couple of times
Utility Bills
by: Howard

1- Which bank(s) do you recommend that will pay the utility bills?

2- Am I better off with a debit or credit card from a US bank to use in Ecuador for cash at ATMs or is it okay to use one from an Ecuadorean bank?

Howard, we each have a debit card from Banco Pichincha. With the Ecuadorian banking system, any bank machine from any bank or credit union allows you to withdraw money from any other bank or credit union.

So you're never stuck for cash. The same can't always be said for debit cards from the US. While all the banks here offer Mastercard and Visa credit cards, and they all accept US credit cards for cash advances, they may not accept debit cards.

For utility bills, every bank has different policies. And they all have different companies that they allow you to pay online. Many bills you'll have to pay in person at a payment center, not a bank.

I hope that answers your questions.

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I just want to thank you both soooo much for creating this web site. I am originally from Cuenca but moved to New York 11 years ago and have not being back since. My husband and I are planning on visiting Cuenca over the Summer and this web site has helped me a lot.

When I came to the US we still had the "sucre," the bus ride cost 1,000 sucres and a pack of trident gum would cost 3,000 sucres. I am very nervous to go back, but thanks to your web site I now know what to expect. My husband is American and Captivating Cuenca has taught him a lot about what my great city has to offer, things that I had forgotten about myself! :)

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