BAHRAIN

(BHD) Currency News >>

CURRENCY:

Dinar (BHD)

DENOMINATIONS:

NOTE: BHD20, 10, 5, and 1, and 500

COIN: 100, 50, 25 and 10 fils

US DOLLAR ACCEPTED:

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND ATMS:

Most major credit cards accepted. ATMs are widely available in larger cities and towns.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:

Best to get foreign currency in advance before travel, but currency exchange is relatively easy in Bahrain through regular systems such as at the bank or bureau de change.

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES:

Best to order these in US Dollars.

BANKING HOURS:

Sat-Wed 0730-1200 and 1530-1730. Thurs 0730-1100.

Please note: Friday is a public holiday in Bahrain so banks and some businesses will be closed.

COUNTRY OVERVIEW:

Bahrain is actually called the Kingdom of Bahrain and is an island situated in the Persian Gulf. The capital is Manama and the official languages are Arabic and English. The main (and official) religion of Bahrain is Islam but Christianity is also practised. Bahrain is known for its tolerance of religions and practises other than Islam. Bahrain has been described as a good introduction to the Arab world and attracts many tourists each year.

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:

There are no reported currency restrictions associated with Bahrain.

POPULATION:

Around 1 million.

ECONOMY:

Bahrain is famous for its oil. Discovered there in 1932, it has brought wealth to the nation. Therefore this country has the fastest growing economy in the Arab world and Middle East. It is also famous for being a modern society with more freedom than is associated with some other Gulf states. Bahrain does have problematic unemployment rates, and the majority of those unemployed are women, but since 2007 became the first Arab country to introduce unemployment benefits.