As you travel internationally, you'll quickly find that different countries’ currencies are worth different amounts.
A pack of gum may cost you $3 in the U.S., but in Mexico, that could translate to nearly 60 pesos. However, that doesn't mean that the gum suddenly becomes 20 times more expensive as you cross the border. If you convert the peso into U.S. dollars, the price remains unchanged.
For most countries, the value of their currency constantly fluctuates depending on various economic and geopolitical factors. As the value of currency appreciates or depreciates, exchange rates — the price of one country's currency in terms of another's — change as well.
So what does that mean for your travel planning? Higher interest rates in a country increase the value of that country's currency compared to nations offering lower interest rates. Depending on where you’re going and when you decide to exchange currency, you could get more — or less — for your dollar.
Knowing when to make your conversion, as well as exploring your options for where you go to do so, can help you get the most out of every exchange.