Money

Currency: Syrian Pound = 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of Syrian Pounds 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, and 5. Coins are in denominations of Syrian Pounds 25, 10, 5, 2, and 1.

Currency exchange: Since 1986 stringent restrictions on illegal currency transactions have forced the black market to all but disappear. Syrian currency cannot generally be reconverted to hard currency. The country banking system is state-owned, and there is at least one branch of the Commercial Bank of Syria in every town. Hard currency can be exchanged for local currency in these branches.

Credit Card: American Express and Diners Club are most readily accepted; some hotels will accept Access/MasterCard. Tickets may be bought with credit cards. Check with your credit card company for merchant acceptability and for other services that may be available.

Travel check: Not always exchangeable at Damascus airport.

Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is unlimited; its export is prohibited. Import of foreign currency is unlimited, although amounts over US$ 5,000 must be declared upon arrival. The export of foreign currency is limited to US$ 5,000, or up to the amount declared on arrival.

Banking hours: 0800-1400 Saturday to Thursday (banks tend to close early on Thursday).

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