Currency in Botswana: BWP Send & Spend FX Guide
Resources for Expats, Travelers, and Entrepreneurs Navigating Life and Trade in Botswana with the Botswanan pula.
What's in this Botswana currency guide?
What currency is used in Botswana?
The official currency of Botswana (country code: BW) is the Botswanan pula, with symbol P and currency code BWP.
What is a good Botswanan pula exchange rate?
The BestExchangeRates.com currency comparison table below helps you see the total cost of your currency transaction by showing the exchange rates offered by different providers. It also makes it easy to spot potential savings from market-leading FX services compared to bank rates.
To see a full list of rates, enter your transaction type, currencies and amount then click ‘GET RATES’:
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Good things to know about the Botswanan pula
The currency code "BWP" refers to the Botswana pula, which is the official currency of Botswana. It is represented by the symbol "P" and is abbreviated as BWP. The physical currency consists of coins and banknotes. The coins come in denominations of 1 thebe, 5 thebe, 10 thebe, and 25 thebe. The banknotes come in denominations of 2 pula, 5 pula, 10 pula, 20 pula, and 50 pula. The banknotes feature images of famous Botswanan historical figures, such as Sir Seretse Khama and Tshekedi Khama. The design of the currency is constantly being updated, so the physical appearance of the coins and banknotes may vary slightly over time.
For more BWP information check out our selection of Botswanan pula news and guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I use in Botswana?
The domestic currency in Botswana is the Botswanan pula.
What is the Botswanan pula currency code and symbol?
The three letter currency code for the Botswanan pula is BWP — symbol is P.
What does the Botswanan pula look like?
Here is an example Botswanan pula banknote:
Which countries use the Botswanan pula?
It is the domestic currency in Botswana.
Is the Botswanan pula a closed currency?
No, the Botswanan pula is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?
What are equivalent amounts of USD and BWP?
Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to BWP (US dollar to Botswanan pula)*.
*Converted at the current USDBWP interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.
Travel money for Botswana
Using Wise for Botswanan pula travel money is a smart choice for savvy travelers. With its competitive exchange rates and low fees, Wise allows you to convert and manage multiple currencies effortlessly.
Be careful when using your own bank's Debit/Credit Card, as your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash on top of the standard Visa/Mastercard 2.5% from market mid-rate.
For card purchases, if you are offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in Botswanan pula otherwise you will typically get much worst dynamic currency conversion (DCC) exchange rates.
If you really want Botswanan pula cash before departure, you can save money by ordering online. You generally get better rates and can pick up the BWP cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
Everyday Costs in in Botswana
How much does it really cost to live, work, or travel in Botswana? Here's what to expect for daily expenses and expat living.
Currency Guide for Botswana (ISO Code: BW)
For travelers embarking on a one-week mid-range stay in Botswana, it's advisable to budget around 10,000 to 15,000 Botswana Pula (BWP), which translates to approximately $800 to $1,200 USD, depending on your spending habits and preferences. Here’s a quick glance at typical daily expenses in local currency to help you plan your budget:
- 🍽️ Meal at a local restaurant: 100 BWP
- ☕ Coffee: 20 BWP
- 🚍 Public transport fare: 10 BWP
- 📱 Prepaid SIM card: 200 BWP
- 🏨 Budget hotel or Airbnb: 700 BWP
Overall, visiting Botswana can be classified as average in terms of cost, especially when compared to the United States, where similar accommodations and dining can be significantly higher. For context, a comparable trip to the UK may turn out to be on the more expensive side due to higher tourist prices, whereas costs in Australia are quite similar to Botswana’s average expenses.
Expat Living in Botswana
For expats relocating to Botswana, monthly living costs can vary but typically range from 20,000 to 30,000 BWP. This estimate would include rent, utilities, groceries, and entertainment. To facilitate your financial management, using local banking services is recommended. Most banks offer good services, and utilizing cards is common, but be wary of foreign transaction fees.
When it comes to transferring money or exchanging currency, online transfer services like Wise or OFX can frequently offer better rates than local exchanges. They are particularly useful for avoiding hefty fees often associated with bank transfers, and they provide the flexibility of making transactions from the comfort of your home. Always compare the rates offered by local exchanges, especially in tourist areas, against these online services to ensure maximum savings.
USD/BWP Market Data
The below interactive chart displays the USD/BWP change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.
Send Money to Botswana - Best Rates
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to Botswana you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).
The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.
You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.
Get a better deal for foreign transfers to Botswana
When sending money to Botswana it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :
- Open an account with a BER reviewed FX provider (id docs may be required)
- You specify the local or Botswanan pula amount you want to transfer
- Make a local currency domestic transfer for the requested amount to the provider's bank account in your country
- Once your funds are received by the provider the converted BWP amount will be transfered to the recipient account you specify in Botswana.
Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more Botswanan pula deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!