Ask Away: Picking up pesos in Uruguay

The old town at dusk in Montevideo, Uruguay. Photo / Getty Images

Eli Orzessek finds the answers to your travel questions.

I am planning to attend the football under- 17 women's world cup in Montevideo in November. It appears Uruguayan pesos cannot be purchased in New Zealand. I have tried everywhere. It is my first visit to South America, so are you able to offer suggestions as to how to obtain Uruguayan pesos? The only option appears to be is to purchase these in Uruguay however I assume the New Zealand dollar would not be a recognised currency. Would it be easier to obtain American dollars and exchange these for pesos? Also when it comes to purchasing items and going to restaurants, what is the best way to pay?
Brian

Getting some US dollars before you leave would be your best bet. According to guruguay.com, exchanging cash is cheap and easy in Uruguay — and you won't be charged a commission fee. The best exchange rate is for US dollars, followed by Euros. It also says you shouldn't exchange money at the airport, as they pay out 20 per cent less on average.

If you need money straight away, you can always get some out at an ATM at the airport, they dispense Uruguayan pesos and US dollars.

Though many businesses in Uruguay accept US dollars, it's recommended you pay in pesos while out and about on the streets. Smaller businesses and taxi drivers may not know what the exchange rate is and may not feel comfortable accepting them. However, you can use US dollars to pay your hotel bill and they're also accepted in larger supermarkets. In restaurants, paying by international credit or debit card is actually a very good option, as you'll get the 22 per cent VAT back directly. It's a pretty sweet perk created for travellers.

I am booked on Air NZ direct to Chicago in December and want to know what changes would occur to my flight if the Dreamliner 787 is not available due to the known engine issues. If the plane does change to a 777, is it unlikely to still be a direct flight? This will make a big difference to my itinerary.
Lucy

I contacted Air New Zealand and am happy to inform you the Auckland to Chicago route will be a direct service — no need to worry about your itinerary.

Readers respond:

In response to Tyrone Rix's question on solo travel, Ian Matheson wrote in to say he'd found paying for single supplements on tours to be worth every dollar.

"On my last trip a man who was paired up with another traveller used to sit next to me on the bus as we travelled between destinations, and on three separate occasions he corrected me on something I said. I don't mind being corrected but I began to resent his attitude and avoided him as much as possible," he wrote.

"I suspect that, had we been allocated a room together, I would have lost my temper. Just one fellow traveller you cannot get away from could ruin an expensive holiday."

Bryan Wylie also wrote in on the subject and said despite never paying for a single supplement, he has never had to share a room — and has had tour guides tell him this is because most single travellers are women.

"Last year, I discovered another option — self-guided solo tours, where the problem of having to share does not arise," he wrote.

"I booked with Exodus and they arranged hotels, some meals and provided maps, timetables and route/guide books and although there was no human guide there were local contacts should any difficulties arise."

Email your questions to askaway@nzherald.co.nz

Eli cannot answer all questions and can't correspond with readers.

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