Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in New Caledonia: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Hands down, use the ATMs in New Caledonia for a better rate. Airport money exchange counters always take a bigger cut. For the best deal, use a multi-currency travel card like Wise or Revolut at a BCI or BNC machine in the city.
Checked both when I arrived - the ATM outside the airport gave a better exchange rate, even after the 400 CFP withdrawal fee, than the counter inside. Bank ATMs in town are even better, so withdraw what you need once you get to Nouméa.
Exchange desk at Tontouta Airport is okay for convenience but not for value. The rate was much poorer than what I got at BCI ATMs in downtown Nouméa with my Visa card. My advice: use the ATM if possible and save the airport counter for ‘just in case’.
Just landed in Nouméa and the ATMs from Banque Calédonienne d’Investissement (BCI) or BNC gave me way better rates than the airport currency desk - even when I included the ATM withdrawal fee. Exchange counters had a noticeably worse rate and added commission.