Friendship Supermarket
Bole road airport end. well-stocked western-style supermarket - and they accept visa. both not to be confirmed in august 2011.
Mercato
The mercato italian for market, as the main covered market still in use dates from the colonial administration of the late 1930s is the largest outdoor market in the world, and you can get anything from tourist goods t-shirts, wood crafts, etc. to fabric to metal goods there. haggling and bargaining are standard procedure, and foreigners especially those of european ancestry should expect to be charged higher prices. to ensure a positive experience, maintain a sense of humour, don't be afraid to negotiate aggressively, and above all don't let yourself be bullied by the many "brokers" who frequent the market, and will try to steer you towards certain stores in exchange for a kick-back from the merchant. you will be able to negotiate lower prices if you can avoid brokers, and especially if you have a local friend or guide to buy things on your behalf.
get money
ATMs/Cash Machines - are found throughout Addis Ababa. Dashen Bank is a principal member of both VISA and MasterCard International and has deployed 55 ATMs in Addis Ababa and around the major cites like Bahirdar, Gondar, Mekelle, Awassa, Dessies, Nazreth, Dire Dawa and Harar. Some of the ATMs found at D.H. Geda Tower next to Friendship City Center accept both VISA and Mastercard, Dembel City Center quite hidden, use the main entrance, than to the left, at the window, Edna Mall , in some hotels Hilton, Sheraton, Intercontinental, Wabi Shebelle Hotel, Ethiopia Hotel, Semein Hotel, Harmony Hotel. Also near the National Museum Lucy Gazebo Restaurant, ground floor of Getu Commercial center just at the entrance and some branches of Dashen Bank (http://www.dashenbanksc.c...) Please note that not all cards are accepted everywhere, Dashen Bank ATMs accept VISA/Mastercard/Cirrus/Plus. CBE ATMs are now internationalised and have touch screen technolgy.
HILTON is best place to change/get money. It has 4 ATMs outside near Hair Salons and inside on ground floor two banks, Nib and United, have forex bureaus that are very quick for changing your hard currency cash. BUT - PROBLEMS again with Travellers Cheques June 2011
Cash on Credit Cards at Dashen Bank in Sheraton but at 6% and US$500 max per day.
Travelers cheques are difficult to cash in Addis Ababa. The banks in the Hilton would not accept them in April 2009.
Abyssinia Bank at Filwoha/Stadium and city end of Bole Rd are also good.
There is a black market where you can get a slightly better rate, especially if you bargain, check your money very carefully before you leave and do not allow it to leave your hand after your final count. Most souvenir shops off Churchill Rd and Zambia St do it.
Working ATM at airport is in Immigration area next to banks. Jan 2011There is ATM available in the Bole airport at the left side of the customs exitabout 10m away.NOT yet wired in January 2011 !!!!
Dashen Bank is the one setting up a wider ATM network so see their website to keep up to date
At airport CBE bank is in Baggage claim area of the Arrivals hall.