Bulgaria always was a relatively cheap country for tourists and, despite the shift to a market economy, most of life's essentials cost considerably less here than they do in the West. The outlook is less bright for Bulgarians themselves, whose living standards have been eroded by inflation, and who count themselves lucky if they earn US$50 a week.
While visitors to big cities or package resorts could probably subsist on a mixture of
bank cards
and
travellers' cheques
, anyone planning to travel around the country - especially in rural areas - will need to carry the bulk of their funds in
cash
(preferably US dollars and/or Deutschmarks, in a mixture of high and low denominations). To minimize the security risk, always carry your funds in a discreet moneybelt worn
under
your clothing. Visitors to Bulgaria must
declare
foreign currency in excess of US$1000 on arrival and departure. Failure to do so will result in a fine, confiscation and possible prosecution.
Costs
Despite price rises and comparatively high
costs
in Sofia, Plovdiv and along the coast, the
essentials
remain inexpensive. If you're camping and buying food in local markets, you can live on US$20 a day. Staying in modest hotels or...
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Currency
The Bulgarian currency is the
lev
(plural leva), which is divided up into 100 stotinki. In response to the runaway inflation of the 1990s, the currency reform of 1999 knocked three noughts off the value of the lev (so that 1000 old leva became...
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Banks and exchange
Although the value of the lev is now determined by market forces, it remains a non-convertible currency, unavailable in banks outside Bulgaria. Inside Bulgaria, you can
change
money in banks, tourist offices, at reception desks of the bigger...
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The black market
The realistic exchange rates now available in banks and private bureaux have all but demolished the appeal of the
black market
to visitors, but the demand for hard currency among Bulgarians remains strong. "Freelance" moneychangers...
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Travellers' cheques and credit cards
While it's a sensible precaution to carry a percentage of your funds in the form of
travellers' cheques
, they are certainly not convenient for everyday use, except in Sofia and the coastal and ski package-resorts. Elsewhere you'll be lucky to...
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