How much money to take to Havelock

banksie · Feb 8th, 2009, 05:11

Hello,

From what I have read, I believe there are no ATMs present on Havelock and that most places don't accept cards. Is this still correct? If so, I'd like hear from others about their experiences of having to carry such a large amount of cash to the island. How much did you budget for each day (assuming staying in budget accomodation)? Are there any restrictions on how much you can withdraw from a cash machine in one go in India? Are cash machines plentiful at Port Blair?

Cheers

Rob

Radjesh · Feb 8th, 2009, 14:10

There are a few ATM's in Port Blair, most major Indian banks operate there. I remember seeing at least 3-4 different bank ATM's. Yes we did carry cash into Havelock, no ATM's there.

For accommodation in Havelock and for Scuba diving, we transferred funds via online banking before we landed there. There's nothing to purchase there, so for us it all boiled down to food & booze...

donnelr3 · Feb 8th, 2009, 14:24

I suppose you'll have to figure that one out yourself but here are some prices to help you...

Beer 100r in a restaurant maybe 50/60 at the wine shop on the jetty

Accomodation anywhere from 50R (single hut smile garden beach 2(pretty ramshackle)) to ?2000 maybe.

Standard Basic single hut 200 - 300 R (as per Coconut grove beach 5) double 400 - 600.
There's fancier huts in other places for a higher price. Better value accomodation in general on beach 2.

motorbike hire 150/200 standard motorbike, 250/300 scooter, 50 bicycle, bus to beach 7 from main village 6r.

food price varies greatly - in the guesthouses maybe 80 for your dinner. For cheapness you can get thalis at the market or in world class restaurant (beach 5 - 30r).

As for carrying large amounts of cash I think the island is very safe - but if you're someone who keeps it on you at all times you might need to hide it when you go swimming...

Have a nice time

banksie · Feb 8th, 2009, 23:56

Thanks for the replies.

On Island Vinne's website they are quoting an additional Rs 500 / day for all meals - does that sound expensive?

Radjesh · Feb 9th, 2009, 00:58

Depends on what they serve... I once had breakfast there, continental one and by Indian standards it was expensive. Ask for details on the menu, if it suits you go ahead.

By Indian standards, 500 for a day on food is expensive. But Vinnie's mostly serves foreigners and very less Indians.

banksie · Feb 9th, 2009, 01:02

where abouts did you stay, and would you recommend it?

Radjesh · Feb 9th, 2009, 01:33

We stayed @ Emerald Gecko www.emerald-gecko.com. Beach hut accommodation, nice peaceful place, good food and helpful staff. Its more of a budget accommodation. If you want something more upmarket head next door to Wild orchid www.wildorchidandaman.com, run by the same people.

Check out the photo gallery to get an idea about the accommodations...

mark88 · Feb 9th, 2009, 23:38

The only problem with the Port Blair Atms is they will only let you take out Rs15,000 per day per card - I stocked up on currency before I left Chennai.If I remember rightly Barefoot Scuba let you pay with a card as do Emerald Gecko but you have to pay at a travel agent in Port Blair before you get on the plane home.Otherwise take a bin liner for all the notes.A good thing to do is call your bank/credit card company and let them know you will be withdrawing from Port Blair - even though mine knew I had been in India weeks they still blocked the Atms until I called them back in England.

Deli Behli · Jun 8th, 2009, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by banksie

Hello,

From what I have read, I believe there are no ATMs present on Havelock and that most places don't accept cards. Is this still correct?

As of April 2009 there is an ATM on Havelock. It's between village 2 & 3 (on the left, just after the Amazon resort if you are heading south).

It has it's own little dedicated whitewashed concrete shack complete with big glass doors, an air conditioner and big satellite dish on top.

Whether they will keep it topped up is another question entirely!

shahronakm · Jun 8th, 2009, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deli Behli

As of April 2009 there is an ATM on Havelock. It's between village 2 & 3 (on the left, just after the Amazon resort if you are heading south).

It has it's own little dedicated whitewashed concrete shack complete with big glass doors, an air conditioner and big satellite dish on top.

Whether they will keep it topped up is another question entirely!

That's good news. Since they have established an ATM they will keep it loaded with cash. They might not refil it daily.

Ronak.

tavarish · Jun 21st, 2009, 05:02

The new has been working fine since it came up until now, never been short of money. But in a few cases it has choosen not to accept some cards for some reason.

So it can be a good idea to bring at least two credits cards, just in case, to make sure you get money.

Feb 8th, 2009, 05:11	#1
banksie Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 11	How much money to take to Havelock Hello, From what I have read, I believe there are no ATMs present on Havelock and that most places don't accept cards. Is this still correct? If so, I'd like hear from others about their experiences of having to carry such a large amount of cash to the island. How much did you budget for each day (assuming staying in budget accomodation)? Are there any restrictions on how much you can withdraw from a cash machine in one go in India? Are cash machines plentiful at Port Blair? Cheers Rob

Feb 8th, 2009, 14:10	#2
Radjesh Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 764	There are a few ATM's in Port Blair, most major Indian banks operate there. I remember seeing at least 3-4 different bank ATM's. Yes we did carry cash into Havelock, no ATM's there. For accommodation in Havelock and for Scuba diving, we transferred funds via online banking before we landed there. There's nothing to purchase there, so for us it all boiled down to food & booze... __________________ MY 2008 KASHMIR TRIP

Feb 9th, 2009, 23:38	#8
mark88 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: LONDON Posts: 17	The only problem with the Port Blair Atms is they will only let you take out Rs15,000 per day per card - I stocked up on currency before I left Chennai.If I remember rightly Barefoot Scuba let you pay with a card as do Emerald Gecko but you have to pay at a travel agent in Port Blair before you get on the plane home.Otherwise take a bin liner for all the notes.A good thing to do is call your bank/credit card company and let them know you will be withdrawing from Port Blair - even though mine knew I had been in India weeks they still blocked the Atms until I called them back in England. Last edited by mark88 : Feb 10th, 2009 at 16:24.

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Feb 8th, 2009, 14:24	#3
donnelr3 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vietnam Posts: 11	I suppose you'll have to figure that one out yourself but here are some prices to help you... Beer 100r in a restaurant maybe 50/60 at the wine shop on the jetty Accomodation anywhere from 50R (single hut smile garden beach 2(pretty ramshackle)) to ?2000 maybe. Standard Basic single hut 200 - 300 R (as per Coconut grove beach 5) double 400 - 600. There's fancier huts in other places for a higher price. Better value accomodation in general on beach 2. motorbike hire 150/200 standard motorbike, 250/300 scooter, 50 bicycle, bus to beach 7 from main village 6r. food price varies greatly - in the guesthouses maybe 80 for your dinner. For cheapness you can get thalis at the market or in world class restaurant (beach 5 - 30r). As for carrying large amounts of cash I think the island is very safe - but if you're someone who keeps it on you at all times you might need to hide it when you go swimming... Have a nice time

Feb 8th, 2009, 23:56	#4
banksie Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 11	Thanks for the replies. On Island Vinne's website they are quoting an additional Rs 500 / day for all meals - does that sound expensive?

Feb 9th, 2009, 00:58	#5
Radjesh Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 764	Depends on what they serve... I once had breakfast there, continental one and by Indian standards it was expensive. Ask for details on the menu, if it suits you go ahead. By Indian standards, 500 for a day on food is expensive. But Vinnie's mostly serves foreigners and very less Indians.

Feb 9th, 2009, 01:02	#6
banksie Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 11	where abouts did you stay, and would you recommend it?

Feb 9th, 2009, 01:33	#7
Radjesh Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 764	We stayed @ Emerald Gecko www.emerald-gecko.com. Beach hut accommodation, nice peaceful place, good food and helpful staff. Its more of a budget accommodation. If you want something more upmarket head next door to Wild orchid www.wildorchidandaman.com, run by the same people. Check out the photo gallery to get an idea about the accommodations...

Jun 21st, 2009, 05:02	#11
tavarish Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: India Posts: 23	The new has been working fine since it came up until now, never been short of money. But in a few cases it has choosen not to accept some cards for some reason. So it can be a good idea to bring at least two credits cards, just in case, to make sure you get money.