Places to exchange currency in Angola

At Luanda airport, the exchange booth quoted me a terrible rate with a flat fee added. I waited until I got into the city and visited a currency exchange desk near Kinaxixi Mall - much better. Best exchange options in Angola are always found in Luanda city center. If your card works, even better - Banco BIC gave me a decent ATM rate. For safety, withdraw cash during daylight, inside malls or bank branches. Keep small USD bills for backup - some taxis even prefer them to local currency.

Avoid the airport exchange at all costs - the rate was almost 20% worse than what I got at an ATM near São Paulo Market in Luanda. The cheapest way to get kwanza in Angola is from a bank ATM in the city. I used Banco Sol and Banco Keve machines - no hidden fees as long as I declined conversion. Don’t fall for airport counters unless you’re desperate. I withdrew just enough at the airport to get into town, then did the rest from legit city banks.

I needed cash right after landing and had no luck with the airport exchange booth - rates were horrible and they wouldn’t change anything under $100. Luckily, I found an ATM outside baggage claim that worked with my Visa card. Best exchange rates in Angola are in the city, especially near hotels and embassies in Luanda. Airport counters prey on tourists with bad rates. If you can wait until you’re downtown, you'll get more value. That said, don’t arrive with nothing - always carry a small emergency stash of USD.

I landed at Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro Airport and immediately checked the exchange counters - awful rates, plus commission. I waited until I reached downtown Luanda and withdrew from a BFA ATM near the city center. Withdrawing cash in Angola gives better rates than airport exchange counters, especially if you decline the conversion prompt. If you must exchange, do a small amount at the airport and the rest in the city. Local forex offices near Avenida 4 de Fevereiro offered much better rates and no surprises on fees.