You will need a passport with a Congolese visa and an International Health Certificate with proof of having received a yellow fever vaccination within the past 10
years and, sometimes (when there's a cholera outbreak), a cholera shot. You should carry your passport at all times or at least a photocopy of it, as police occasionally ask
travellers to see their papers.
CUSTOMS
Importing foreign currency is not a problem but if you'll be exporting large amounts of cash, declare it on arrival, otherwise customs officials may give you problems on
departure. The importation of CFA is not restncted but you may not export more than CFA 25,000 and, unlike in many African coumtries, this rule is strictly enforced by
customs officials, whether you are leaving by air or land. Anticipate a thorough search when leaving the country.
MONEY
US $1 = CFA 280
UK£1 = CFA 425
The unit of currency is the Central African CFA. Only the hotels will accept the West African CFA. You can exchange them with Air Afrique in central Brazzaville or at
the airport; they usually do this as a matter of course. The Hotel M'Bamou Palace will sometimes change CFA even if you're not a guest. This is a lot easier than going to
the Banque Centrale (the only bank that can exchange West African CFA for Central African CFA).
When exchanging money it is essential to compare rates as they can vary considerably. In one comparison, when the US dollar was slightly weaker, the
Banque Internationale du Congo (BIDC) was offering CFA 245 for US$1 cash or travellers' cheques without charging any commission, whereas the Union Congolaise
de Banques (UCB) in Brazzaville was offering CFA 259 for travellers' cheques (CFA 254 in Pointe-Noire), with a commission of 0.5% and a transaction fee of CFA 1500,
and CFA 251 for cash (CFA 245 in Pointe-Noire). In general, rates at the UCB seem most favourable, especially for large transactions; it also accepts Barclays', Thomas
Cook and American Express travellers' cheques.
There are three banks where you can change money: the Banque Commercials Congolaise (BCC), the UCB and the BIDC.
