Cashing Travelers Checks

[Barry Dodson]

Is there a problem cashing American Express Travelers Check in Boquete? Thanks.

[Bob Wolfe]

Hi Barry,

My recommendation is don't do it. Here is the reason. Presenting anything other than a $20 bill or smaller throws a curve into the system. A travelers check is something I haven't seen in years. All life stops in the line, the clerk has to call for the manager, who then looks at what you have, then goes back to their office and retrieves a journal into which they enter all of your life information, the account numbers, etc. of the travelers check or large bill in question, often want to make a copy (at your expense) of your passport, etc., have you sign several times. Meanwhile, the line behind you is backing up and you are getting the aftertaste of Gringo Pill #7. There are abundant ATMs all over the country that dispense everything in $20 denominations. Bring no more than $1000 ($500 will do) in $20s, and ATM your way through the country. I will not charge you for this advice, but it is priceless.

[Barry Dodson]

Thanks Bob. We have purchased travelers checks but our intent is to use these only in case of emergency, i.e., stolen/compromised check cards, etc. I was really asking the question to see how difficult it 'really' is to use them. Otherwise, we are following your recommendations about the amount of cash to bring initially and using our ATM/Debit Cards during the next six weeks. Thanks again for the feedback about Gringo Pill #7. Good info.