Is there an ATM machine in Carvoeiro and do most restaurants take credit cards?

plenty of ATM machines mate, last year some did & some didn't

Actually "most" restaurants do not take cards. A few do, but there are at least 5 or 6 ATMs around town (has anyone counted recently ?), and if you insert an English card, the menus will usually appear in English too.

Does anyone know how much you get charged when using the ATMs abroad? Normally take a combo of euros/travellers cheques when hoidaying but it may be useful to know about charges especially if the resturants don't take credit cards.

depends upon your bank Nationwide have free withdrawals

Nationwide Flex account are def the best - put money in b4 u go and then withdraw it free of charge .Also get bank rate not tourist rates as on some accounts

Plenty of ATMs, but it's a pain to withdraw money; only allows 200 euros each time max.

Bristle Si wrote:Plenty of ATMs, but it's a pain to withdraw money; only allows 200 euros each time max.

I presume this is per day? If so it presents an interesting challenge/conundrum if you are planning to spend more than €200 per day. We're two adults & four children so if we opt to eat out for lunch and dinner I reckon we'll breach our €200 ration.

Is this a local initiative to encourage people to spend less in the recession?

I think it's 200€ per card per day, so if you have two cards on a joint account you should be able to withdraw double the amount

starvedofsun wrote:

Bristle Si wrote:Plenty of ATMs, but it's a pain to withdraw money; only allows 200 euros each time max.

I presume this is per day? If so it presents an interesting challenge/conundrum if you are planning to spend more than €200 per day. We're two adults & four children so if we opt to eat out for lunch and dinner I reckon we'll breach our €200 ration.

Is this a local initiative to encourage people to spend less in the recession?

Its 200 per transaction, I suppose it all depends on what type of Bank account you have whether or not you will be allowed to withdraw more than that (In a 24 hour period). I have withdrawn 3 x 200 one after the other before now without any problem on my debit card, these days I use the Fairfx card and can withdraw as much as I like (in lots of 200)until the card is empty.

Nationwide has not let me withdraw more than 200 a day on previous visits. And yes, it is a bit limiting. However, I take 200 on the day I arrive, and then 200 a day for the rest of the holiday and put whatever is left over into my portuguese bank account to pay all the bills for the rest of the year!

Did I dream it or was there a list somewhere on the forums listing restaurants with those that took credit cards and those that didnt?

J

Try Michael Cranes FAQs.