Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Mozambique: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Best strategy in Mozambique is to use ATMs from reliable banks in Maputo or coastal towns. Budget MT 4,000-6,000 daily depending on tours and meals. Exchange a tiny sum at the airport for taxis, but withdraw the rest in bulk from ATMs to minimize fees. Always use ATMs inside banks or malls for safety. Airport counters should only be for backup cash, not your main source.
Maputo Airport’s exchange counter felt like a rip-off. I converted $100 and lost enough to cover a full dinner and drinks. It was frustrating because Mozambique is already expensive for tours, and I was budgeting MT 5,000-6,000 daily. ATMs from BCI and Millennium BIM in town gave me much better value. If you’re landing here, don’t rely on airport counters - they’ll cut into your budget right away.
I swapped $20 at Maputo Airport for my taxi, and the rate wasn’t good. Later, I withdrew from a Millennium BIM ATM, and the difference was huge. Meals cost me about MT 600-1,000 daily, and diving trips in Tofo were around MT 5,000. I budgeted MT 6,000 daily and found ATMs gave me more meticais. The airport exchange worked for emergencies but was far worse than ATMs.
In Mozambique, ATMs usually provide better rates than the exchange counters at Maputo Airport. Machines from BCI or Millennium BIM banks give fair metical conversions, while airport desks add higher margins. If you’re budgeting MT 4,000-6,000 daily for meals, taxis, and tours like Tofo diving or Bazaruto trips, withdrawing from ATMs saves you money. Airport counters should only be used for small amounts.