Currency and Credit Cards

When traveling in Nepal, payments at hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are typically made in foreign exchange. Major credit cards like MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants throughout the country.

If you exchange foreign currency for Nepali rupees, make sure to keep your foreign exchange encashment receipts. These receipts may be required if you wish to exchange any leftover Nepali currency back into foreign currency before leaving Nepal. However, note that you can only convert up to 10 percent of the total exchanged amount back into foreign currency at the bank.

ATMs are available throughout Kathmandu and other major cities, making it easy for travelers to withdraw local currency. You can exchange foreign currency at banks, hotels, and exchange counters at Tribhuvan International Airport. Exchange rates are regularly published in local English newspapers such as The Rising Nepal, The Kathmandu Post, and The Himalayan Times.

For the latest exchange rates, you can visit the official website of Nepal Rastra Bank at [http://www.nrb.org.np](http://www.nrb.org.np).

The Nepali currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR), and currency notes are available in the following denominations:

– Rupees 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1

Coins are also available in the following denominations:

– Rupees 5, 2, and 1

One rupee is further divided into 100 paisa.