Best Money Changer in the Philippines: Where to Exchange Currency

Traveling abroad? After being cooped up for so long, you're probably itching to visit other countries, enjoy new cuisines, and immerse yourself in various cultures.

Whether you're planning to avail of a travel agency's services or go for DIY travel, make sure you prepare your travel essentials—the most important of which is cash. Get your peso exchanged at the best money changer in the Philippines with good rates for lower fees and a hassle-free trip.

We’ve come up with a list of the country’s top currency exchange centers, whether you're wondering where to exchange peso to dollar, where to exchange dollar to peso, where to buy dollars in the Philippines, or where to exchange dirhams to peso in the Philippines. These money changers offer reasonable foreign exchange rates, convenience, and safe transactions.

🛡️ Going Out of the Country? Don't Forget Your Travel Insurance

Aside from looking for the best money changer, you should also avail of travel insurance before leaving the country. This way, you're financially covered in case of emergencies such as accidents and lost luggage.

But don't just get the first travel insurance you see. Take the time to compare different providers based on your budget and travel duration. Compare your options via Moneymax today!

Provider	Starting Premium	Medical/Accidental Death or Disablement Coverage	Trip Cancellation Coverage	Baggage Loss/Damage
OONA Travel Insurance	₱299	Up to ₱5 million	Up to ₱128,000	Up to ₱42,600 subject to ₱4,000 per item
PGAI Travel Shield Insurance	₱361	Up to ₱2.5 million	Up to ₱200,000	Up to ₱50,000 subject to ₱10,000 per item
PGA SOMPO TravelJOY Plus	₱463	Up to ₱2.5 million	Up to ₱70,000	Up to ₱5,000 per item
Cocogen Travel Excel Plus	₱263	Up to ₱4.2 million	Up to ₱214,000	Up to ₱102,000  subject to ₱12,700 per item

What is the Best Money Changer in the Philippines?

The money exchange booths in the airport offer unparalleled convenience. But you may want to think twice, as their rates are usually expensive. If you’re not in a hurry, you can always scour the city for the best money changer.

If you’re staying or living in Metro Manila, the best money changers are located in Makati and Mabini Street in Ermita, Manila where many expats live. You may find that exchange rates of dollar to peso are higher than what’s offered by banks.

Here are some of the top money changers you may want to check out.

💸 Czarina Foreign Exchange

Czarina, established in 1978, is one of the best money changers in the Philippines. The shop trades major currencies, such as the euro, US dollar, Japanese yen, Hong Kong dollar, Australian dollar, Singapore dollar, Canadian dollar, and Chinese yuan, among others. It doesn’t charge a commission and its services are all offered in real time.

Czarina Operating Hours:

• Most Philippine branches: Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Most Hong Kong stores: Monday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Czarina Branches:

• Pasig City: Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons
• Muntinlupa City: Alabang Town Center
• Baguio City: Pines Arcade Building, Session Road
• Taguig City: Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City
• Rizal: Q Plaza Commercial Complex, Cainta
• Makati: 
  • Glorietta 4, Ayala Center
  • Makati Cinema Square, Chino Roces Avenue
  • Liberty Center Building, Salcedo Village
  • Picasso Residences, Salcedo Village
• Quezon City:
  • New Farmers Plaza, Araneta Center, Cubao
  • Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao
  • Fairview Terraces, Novaliches
  • Ever Gotesco Mall, Commonwealth Avenue
  • Robinsons Magnolia, Aurora Boulevard

Czarina also operates in Hong Kong. Currently, there are five branches in high-traffic districts and neighborhoods, such as Central.

Read more:

• HK Vacay: Hong Kong Travel Requirements and Recommendations
• Sawadee Ka: Your Comprehensive Thailand Travel Guide

💸 Tivoli Money Exchange

Founded in 1983, Tivoli is very well an institution in the foreign exchange industry.^[1] This money changer in the Philippines trades major currencies, such as the euro, US dollar, Japanese yen, Hong Kong dollar, Chinese yuan, Singapore dollar, Canadian dollar, Saudi riyal, and UAE dirham, among others.

Tivoli stands out from its competitors since it now engages in cryptocurrency. The shop facilitates over-the-counter trading and withdrawals of most major cryptocurrencies through its BSP-accredited virtual currency exchange partners. Accepted cryptos include Bitcoin, Tether, Ethereum, Binance Coin, XRP, Dogecoin, Polkadot, Cardano, and more.   

Tivoli Branches and Operating Hours:

• Makati City: Glorietta 2, Ayala Center - Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Quezon City: TriNoma - Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Parañaque City: Okada Manila- Monday to Sunday, 24 hours

💸 LuLu Exchange

Established in 2008, LuLu Exchange is a reputable global foreign exchange business that operates in the country. As a money changer in the Philippines, it prides itself on providing quick, secure, and satisfactory exchange services and offering the best market rates. 

On top of its money-changing services, LuLu Exchange offers remittances and forex trading as well.

LuLu Exchange mainly operates inside airports. Although it's best to avoid airports when exchanging money as mentioned, this money changer is worth checking out because of its convenience and rates. You can also find LuLu Exchange in malls.

LuLu Operating Hours: Open 24 hours at airports

LuLu Exchange Branches:

• Pasay City: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3)
• Parañaque City: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard
• Las Piñas City: Robinsons Place Mall
• Pampanga: Clark International Airport
• Cebu: Robinsons Galleria

💸 Naila’s Money Changer

Need to know the exchange rate for yen to peso today? How much is 100 riyal to Philippine peso? Head over to Naila's to find out. This money changer along Mabini Street in Malate is considered one of the best money changers in Manila for its currency conversion rates.

Other than the US dollar, Japanese yen, British pound, and Kuwait dinar, it also offers exchange services for less typical currencies, such as Norwegian krone, Danish krone, South African rand, Brazilian real, Indian rupee, Pakistani rupee, and Peruvian sol.

Naila's Money Changer Operating Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Naila's Money Changer Location: 1741 A. Mabini Street, Malate, Manila

💸 Moonlight Money Changer

Don’t let the unassuming and homely exteriors of this money changer in the Philippines fool you. Considered one of the best providers of competitive rates in Manila, Moonlight is also known for its customer-friendly service, a reason why lots of foreigners flock to this shop. 

Moonlight Money Changer Location: 1190 A. Mabini St, Ermita, Manila

Best Remittance Centers with Money Exchange Services in the Philippines

If you don't have easy access to the shops listed above, you can have your foreign currency exchanged at remittance centers. 

💸 Cebuana Lhuillier

You may buy or sell US dollars in select Cebuana Lhuillier and Pera Padala branches nationwide.^[2] If you’re living in Metro Manila, you can exchange dollars to PHP at the following Cebuana Lhuillier branches:

• Marikina 3
• Shaw Boulevard
• Vito Cruz
• JAKA Plaza
• Isetann Recto
• Malabon 8
• Pasay Road
• Karuhatan
• Pritil
• Roces Avenue

💸 M Lhuillier

This remittance center offers some of the best foreign exchange rates in the Philippines for currencies such as the US dollar, Euro, British Pound, and Japanese yen.

💸 Palawan Pawnshop

Palawan Pawnshop’s currencies for peso exchange not only sell major currencies, such as the US dollar, Singapore dollar, Australian dollar, or Hong Kong dollar. This money changer in the Philippines also sells Swiss franc, Chinese yuan, UAE dirham, New Taiwan dollar, and New Zealand dollar.

Buying foreign banknotes is a different matter, though. For purchase transactions, you'll have to make a reservation. You also need to make a non-refundable down payment of ₱1,000 for the transaction to push through.

If you have a transaction amounting to ₱10,000 and below, you can authorize a person through a letter to process the said transaction. However, if the transaction is worth ₱100,000 and above, Palawan Pawnshop may request further validation, such as supporting documents.^[3]

💸 Villarica Pawnshop

Just like other modern pawnshops in the country, Villarica Pawnshop not only offers pawning services, bills payment, and cash withdrawals. It also operates as a money changer in the Philippines. It offers high exchange rates of any foreign currency, such as USD to PHP, at any Villarica branch.^[4]

Among the currencies that you can exchange here include euro, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, British pound, Canadian dollar, Singaporean dollar, and Hong Kong dollar.

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Best Banks with Foreign Exchange Services

Some banks double as money changers in the Philippines. However, keep in mind that some banks have more stringent rules in place compared to money changers and remittance centers.

For one, the bank will offer the foreign currency exchange service only if you have an account with them. Moreover, you’re only allowed to transact with the branch where you opened your account. You’ll also be required to bring a couple of documents, such as your passport or any valid government ID, passport, and TIN ID.

💸 Philippine National Bank

PNB buys and sells foreign currencies against the PHP or other foreign currencies. Its good working relationships with other banks allow it to purchase and sell large volumes of currencies at market prices. As such, PNB is able to offer its clients one of the best exchange rates in the Philippines.

Among the currencies available for exchange at PNB are the euro, US dollar, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Singapore dollar, and British pound. Need rates for converting non-US dollar to another non-US dollar? PNB can provide that upon request.

💸 Bank of the Philippine Islands

BPI is another good bank for exchanging currencies. Aside from buying and selling widely traded foreign monies, its Forex solutions also include foreign currency time deposits and multi-currency investments.

BPI currently deals with the following currencies: US dollar, Euro, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, British pound, Singapore dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, and Swiss franc.

Planning to convert your dollars to PHP peso today? If you have an account with BPI, you can easily convert your US dollar to Philippine peso online. You can do so by simply transferring your dollars from your BPI US dollar account to your BPI peso account.

💸 Security Bank

Do you have a Security Bank branch near you? If so, pay a visit and get your foreign money exchanged. Its list of exchangeable currencies is almost the same as that of BPI, but Security Bank also buys and sells Korean won.

Security Bank allows you to make 24/7 foreign exchange transactions online in real-time through the Security Bank Secured Platform for Online Trade (SB SPOT). To access it, you need the following:

• A Security Bank online account
• Enrolled and active US dollar and PH peso accounts in your online account
• A maintaining balance worth $500
• Other documents required by Security Bank

Foreign Exchange Shops and Counters in Malls

Major malls like SM and Robinsons have money exchange counters in their department stores (and in SM Hypermarket and Savemore as well) where shoppers can do their forex transactions. These malls are among the most convenient and safest places to exchange money in the Philippines. Their foreign exchange rates are reasonable, too.

However, these currency exchange services don’t entertain peso-to-dollar exchange. Forex counters in malls only convert dollar to peso, though they also accept currencies other than the USD. You can sell THB, HKD, SGD, EUR, JPY, and AUD, among other currencies in such malls.

How to Choose the Best Money Changer in the Philippines

We’ve compiled some useful tips to make foreign currency exchange easier, more efficient, and more practical for you.

✔️ Avoid Changing Money at the Airport 

As you've read above, rates at money-changing stations at airports have higher rates than you’ll find at money changers and banks outside. Airport money changers charge more because of high operating costs, such as expensive monthly rent and extended operating hours.

As much as possible, exchange some cash at the airport only if you need money for commuting upon arriving in the Philippines or in your foreign destination country.

To save time and effort, look for money changers online before you arrive in the country. Don’t forget to read reviews to avoid getting scammed.

✔️ If Possible, Avoid Paying Commission Fees

Foreign exchange businesses earn money by selling foreign dollars at a higher rate. But other than that, they make money by charging customers a commission. Before you have your money changed, ask the shop if they’re charging such a fee.

If they charge a commission, try somewhere else, especially if you’re not in a hurry. You can always find a commission-free money changer, such as Czarina Foreign Exchange.

✔️ Compare Rates Before You Exchange Money

Just because the finance news says the exchange rate is at this specified amount doesn’t mean all the money changers in the country will offer that value. Before you exchange your money, shop around for favorable exchange rates. That way, you can maximize the value of your foreign currency.

In Pinoy Peso Hero Episode 5, Moneymax discusses common questions about the peso-dollar exchange rate and its impact on the economy and individuals. Investment advocate Aya Laraya shares and explains the basic dynamics of the exchange rate. You might learn facts about the exchange rate most Filipinos are not aware of!

✔️ Use Your Judgment

While shopping for forex shops with good offers, you’ll come across one that offers rates that seem too good to be true. It might be just that, especially if the shop looks shady.

Use your good judgment and avoid such shops. If you want to make sure that a shop is safe, secure, and trusted, you can check out the list of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-registered money service businesses.^[5]

✔️ Keep Yourself Updated 

Foreign exchange rates fluctuate from time to time and vary per money exchange center on any given day. Even different branches of a money changer have different rates. To find the best or highest currency rate that will give you the most value, check and compare the exchange rate of dollar to peso, or other currencies for that matter.

Keep yourself updated on the latest exchange rates and the factors that affect global currency trades. Read the news and follow some banks’ social media pages for updates.

Final Thoughts

The presence of thousands of money changers in the country proves that commerce in the Philippines is pretty strong and that Filipinos are global citizens. But keep in mind that not all foreign exchange centers are created equal. For reliable services, you can visit the shops listed above.

However, don’t discount small forex businesses, as they may also have reasonable rates and high-quality service. Just do your due diligence to find the best money changer in the Philippines.

Sources:

• ^[1] Tivoli Money Exchange
• ^[2] Cebuana Lhuillier and Pera Padala Branches for Foreign Exchange
• ^[3] Palawan Pawnshop Money Changer
• ^[4] Villarica Pawnshop Forex Rates
• ^[5] List of BSP-Registered Money Service Business