Currency exchange

In Tunisia, all major currencies (Dollar, Euro, Pound, Franc, Ruble, Franken, etc.) can be exchanged into and from the tunisian currency Tunisian Dinar (TND).

The exchange rate is different in each bank and changes daily according to the interbank money market.
So, it is well posssible to save the equivalent of a dinner by picking the exchange with the best actual rate.
The average/medium exchange rate is published each day by the Central Bank of Tunisia and are usually close to the reates that have been determined by international systems (see eg. on the TunisPro Homepage).

Please see also the actual note on this page (bottom)!

ATMs

ATMs are, at least in the tourist areas and big cities, available in large numbers.
Accepted are credit and debit cards of the types VISA, MASTERCARD and MAESTRO.

The maximum amount that can be withdrawn throughout a day depends on the daily limit of the card holder (ask your card issuer). Only Tunisian Dinars can be withdrawn from an ATM!
Experience has shown that withdrawals of 300-600 Dinars per transaction are not a problem with tunisian ATMs.

The mobile terminals in some banks seems to work differently than the fixed ATM machines and reject cards/PINs sometimes.

Credit Cards

The major credit cards (eg VISA and MASTER CARD) will be accepted in most major hotels and shops in the tourist zones.

For overland travel and paying in small shops, carrying cash is indispensable, though.

Transfer of money to Tunisia

The transfer of money directly into a Tunisian "convertible currency account" (bank account for non-tunisians) by bank transfer takes about 5-7 days.

An alternative is the transfer of cash via Moneygram or Western Union, which takes place within minutes.
By Moneygram/Western Union transferred cash is, however, not considered "declared" in a way that you can put it into your bank account afterwards or export it from Tunisia.

Bank Account

Non-Tunisian citizens who reside (temporary) in Tunisia, can easily open up an account in a Tunisian bank. This account is called "private account in convertible currency" (Convertible Currency Account).
On this account, only money in foreign currencies can be deposited in cash or by bank transfer - withdrawals can be made both in foreign currencies and Tunisian Dinars, though.
To open up such an account, a passport and a lease with a Tunisian landlord (house/apartment = fixed tunisian address) are required.

Precautions

Showing large amounts of money or credit cards in the public is strongly discouraged - because this will quickly attract thieves and conmen.
Instead, it is recommended that a small amount of cash is stored separately and payments are made only from this cash - so that one appears to carry only change or a small sum of money!
Many shops will not even be able to give change on a 50 or 30 Dinar banknote, so carrying small denominations (10 dinar or coins) is recommended anyway.