Micronesia Shopping & Micronesia Exchange Rate

Favorite purchases on Chuuk include love sticks and war clubs. Yap people produce colorful grass skirts, lava-lavas woven from hibiscus bark, woven baby cradles, betel-nut pouches and stone money. On Pohnpei, there are elaborate, carefully scaled model canoes and woven items. Stores sell handicrafts, canoes, shark, turtle, gecho, manta ray, shampoo, soap and lotion made from fresh coconut.

Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1700. On weekends some shops open with limited hours; 0830-1330.

Currency Information:

Currency
The US Dollar (US$) is the official currency. Giant stone money remains in use on Yap, but not for ordinary transactions or any that are likely to involve visitors. Dollar = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of US$1 and 50 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Note: For information on convertible currency, see Money in the Pacific Islands of Micronesia section. There are several US FDIC insured banks operating (although there are no banks on Chuuk).

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Most major credit cards are accepted at major visitor-orientated businesses.

Traveller's Cheques
Exchanged at the larger hotels and businesses.

Banking Hours
Mon-Thurs 1000-1500, Fri 1000-1800 and Sat 0900-1200.


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