BANKS AND SHOPS

In Pamplona the normal commercial opening times are from 9.30 to 1.30 in the mornings and from 4.30 to 7.30 in the afternoons from Monday to Friday. (although the closing hours could be later in some establishments). Saturday is a half-day in some establishments - that is to say, open until 1.30 in the afternoon - while in others it is a full day - that is to say open also on Sat. afternoon. In any case, the timetable often changes during Sanfermin - some will open less than their normal hours while others will open more hours than they normally do. It all depends on the owners.

It's more likely that the kind of shops which deal with articles of primary need such as food, clothes and drink (above all, drink) will open longer hours while those things such as furniture, books and electrical appliances etc. will have less opening hours.

On the outskirts of Pamplona there are three large hypermarkets: Eroski, Leclerc and Carrefour (Mendebaldea). They tend to be somewhat cheaper than the small shopkeeper, but it's not worthwhile unless you are going to do a big shopping. If not, the corner store is always close at hand and for sure the treatment will be more human.

Remember that on the 7th it is a holiday (What holiday ? - San Fermin of course !) so there will be little or nothing open that day. If you need anything urgent remember that any of the peripheral towns around Pamplona will be open that day such as Atarrabia-Villava, Barañáin, Uharte-Huarte or Burlata-Burlada. which really nowadays are suburbs of Pamplona.

You might just find some small food store open in the town. But remember things like the Post Office, The Telephone Exchange etc. will all be closed.

OPENING HOURS FOR THE BANKS

Most of the banks (the savings banks) only open in the morning, from 8.30 to 2.00. There are a few ones that open in the evening, but it is better to go in the morning. The same hours on Sat. morning. But remember that on the 7th of July they will be closed and you will have to go to one of the nearby towns on that day should you need to. You just might be able to change money in one or other of the hotels, but that possibility can't be guaranteed

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

The banks will usually change dollars or any other of the big currencies without any problem. But less well-used currencies could have problems. There is no kind of black market in currencies in Pamplona.

Foreign currencies can't be used for cash payments anywhere in Pamplona. Except perhaps in some hotel or other. Nor can you use traveller's cheques, except again perhaps in some hotels.

CREDIT CARDS

The credit cards such as Mastercard, Visa, and American Express are generally accepted in many shops, restaurants and hotels, but not in the local corner shop nor in the cheaper class of boarding house. Nor to pay the rent for some private accommodation. In the big supermarkets yes, but again not in the cheaper ones. If you lose the credit card here you have the phone numbers you can contact:

4B (4B, Mastercard and Visa): 91 362 62 00/902 11 44 00
American Express: 902 37 56 37
Diners Club: 91 701 59 00
El Corte Inglés: 901 12 21 22
Euro 6000: 902 20 60 00
Servired: 901 10 10 11
Tarjeta Aurora: 902 10 02 34


CASH CHECKPOINTS

The city is full of cash checkpoints, but bear in mind that many of them will have run out of notes by the end of the day and perhaps others will have broken down. If you find yourself without a red cent at two in the morning it will be difficult to find available cash. The further away from the center, the easier it will be to find some cash point with disposible funds.