Need cash when I land, best place in Northern Mariana Islands? Airport or places in the city?
The airport exchange is a scam. I went there once and got a horrible rate. The best option is to get cash from an ATM. The ATMs from banks like Bank of Guam are a safe and reliable option. You won't need to exchange your money at all if you're coming from a country that uses the US dollar. Otherwise, use an ATM for cash, as the exchange rate will be much better than any exchange counter.
I'd recommend just using an ATM. The airport exchange counters have awful rates. Since the currency is the US dollar, you should be able to get cash from any ATM on the island. I've used the ones at the Bank of Saipan in Chalan Laulau without any problems. Just be sure to tell your bank you are traveling to the Northern Mariana Islands to avoid any issues with your card. It's just a lot simpler and cheaper.
The airport exchange is a waste of time. Your best bet is to use an ATM from a bank in the city. The currency is the US dollar, so it's a very straightforward process. I always use a bank ATM, like the one at First Hawaiian Bank's Shell Marianas location, because they are reliable and safe. You'll get a much better exchange rate than you would from a currency exchange counter, so it’s a no-brainer.
Don't bother with the airport exchange counter. It's a complete rip-off. The best way to get cash is from an ATM in the city. Since the official currency is the US dollar, you might not even need to exchange money at all. You can use your debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs at banks like Bank of Guam or First Hawaiian Bank. They are widely available on Saipan and will give you a much better exchange rate than any exchange counter.