Mountain Resuce

Before you go please take down these phone numbers and out them into your mobile phone - just in case. They are for the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Service:

Tel: +359 (0)2 963 2000

Mob: +359 (0)48 1843

Mob: +359 (0)888 621 286

Bulgarian Taxis

As is often the case in the tourist areas of poorer countries, foreigners are charged a 'premium' and this is the case with Bulgarian taxis. The best thing to do should you require a taxi is not to hail one from the street but to call one from your hotel, and ensure that the fare is agreed before you depart.

Mobile Phones

Take your mobile phone with you! The main operator in Bulgaria is Mobitel and it covers most of the ski resorts in Bulgaria. Make sure that there are no roaming restrictions on your phone before departing the UK.

Money

Cash is best. Credit cards and Travellers Cheques attract high commission charges so it is best to avoid these if possible. The currencies that are widely accepted are the Bulgarian Lev, GBP Sterling, US Dollars and the Euro. There are many cash machines and Bureau de Change throughout Borovets.

Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted but expect an additional charge of 5-6%.

In 1997 the Bulgarian currency LEV was tied to 1DEM, and this rate never changes. Since 2002, LEV has been equalised to the Euro at the rate of 1.96 LEV to 1 Euro. When looking for the best rate to exchange Euro into LEV, it is advisable to look for a place where 1 Euro equates to approximately 1.95 LEV.

When changin currency be sure that the rate in the shop window is the rate that you are charged. There have been a few incidents of differing rates being offered.