Using foreign currency is one of the best ways to guarantee that you can purchase anything you want during a trip overseas or anywhere else. Foreign currency is easier to use than credit or debit in a number of different circumstances. Depending on which country you visit, there may be very few areas where you can use a credit or debit card. Having cash with you is a sure way that you’ll be able to enjoy everything that your destination has to offer and get around on the island easily and quickly. Below are some of the top ways to use foreign currency once you travel.

Purchase food from street vendors

Many street vendors only take cash for payments for food, as they regularly do a large volume of business and often are not connected to any type of payment processor or credit or debit card machine. There is always the rare exception, but the majority of the time you should have cash with you if you want to purchase any food from street vendors.

Buy taxi and other transportation services

Taxis and other transportation services often require cash only payments, just as most of them do in the United States. You won’t be able to use credit or debit cards for many of these transportation services, and it can be very inconvenient when you need to get somewhere in the country you are traveling to. It’s crucial that you have cash with you so that you don’t get stuck without having adequate transportation.

Purchase souvenirs from vendors everywhere

You can buy souvenirs in cash from many different vendors when you have foreign currency with you. Otherwise it may be difficult to purchase items such as art, handcrafted items, jewelry and other types of small souvenirs that you can bring back home with you.

Buy local clothing

Purchasing clothing made in the country you are visiting is one of the most popular purchases that travelers often make. You can purchase any clothing that you find sold by a street vendor or other vendors who may accept only cash as a payment. With a sufficient amount of cash you can ensure that you are able to buy any types of apparel that interest you, and it can often be easy to pack a few extra items of clothing to take back home.

Take local tours

Many local tour providers in foreign countries will accept payments in cash. These are typically walking tours or tours can also be on bicycles or small vehicles. These tour operators are usually small individual operators and so they are often unable to take credit or debit card payments. You can miss out on some great opportunities to see parts of a country that you haven’t seen before. Local tours can be exciting and fun depending on where you go and what you do during the tour, and you can see unique areas of a country that you may otherwise have not been able to see. So be sure to carry currency with you whenever you travel overseas.