Need cash when I land, best place in Burundi? Airport or places in the city?
The airport exchange is a scam. I went there once and got a horrible rate. The official exchange rate is not what you want to use. You need to find a trusted local to help you exchange cash at the unofficial market rate. This is the only way to get a good rate. You can find people in Bujumbura who will exchange US dollars for you. The key is to be discreet and make sure you have the latest and cleanest US dollar bills with you.
The airport is the worst place to exchange money in Burundi. You'll get a terrible rate. Your best bet is to find a reputable currency exchange center in the city, like in Bujumbura. The exchange rate on the street, while unofficial, is much better than the official bank rate. You must have cash on you, as credit cards don't work and ATMs are unreliable. Just bring a good amount of US dollars and use them to exchange for Burundian Francs (BIF) in the city.
This is a tricky one. The official and unofficial exchange rates are very different. You should never use the airport exchange counters as they will rip you off. My advice is to carry new US dollar bills and find a trusted person to exchange them for Burundian Francs (BIF). This happened to me at a bank in Bujumbura, and the rate was awful. Your best bet is to find a trusted contact to exchange money with.
You need to be very careful with this. Airport exchange counters in Burundi are known for giving terrible rates. The unofficial exchange rate on the street is often much better than the official bank rate. My advice is to go to the city of Bujumbura and find a trusted money changer. I've used some near the Central Market and got a much better rate. Just don't exchange large amounts at once, and always count your money carefully. ATMs are very unreliable.