Telephone
For telephone conversations in Bulgaria, it is most advantageous to use international communication points or street payphones that work with Mobika (or BulFon) plastic cards. You can buy them both in hotels and hotel complexes, as well as in shops, post offices, as well as in kiosks selling periodicals.
Phones you can call in Bulgaria in case of emergency:
166 – police
160 – fire
150 – ambulance
146 – assistance to drivers on the road
Shopping
Usually, perfumery and cosmetic products, including natural aromatic oils, are purchased as souvenirs in Bulgaria. In addition, various author’s products made of semi-precious metals, as well as copper and iron, are in demand among tourists. Traditional souvenirs are homemade rugs, clothes decorated with national ornaments, as well as some types of wine. See liuxers for Bulgaria customs and traditions.
It is best to buy several souvenirs in one place, people in Bulgaria love and know how to “bargain”, so there is a good chance to get a discount with such a purchase.
Tourists from abroad are entitled to a VAT refund (20%) under the “tax free” system when purchasing goods for a total amount of 1000 BGL in one store. VAT can be refunded at the refund point at the airport upon departure from the country.
Tips
Being in Bulgaria, it is absolutely not necessary to leave a “tip” to waiters in cafes and restaurants, but as a reward for high-quality service by the staff, at the request of the client, it is customary to leave a “tip” in the amount of 10% of the total bill.
Money and valuables
It is not recommended to leave large sums of money and valuables in hotel rooms. As a rule, hotels in Bulgaria have safes at their disposal, where the risk of parting with your jewelry is minimized.
Currency
The national Bulgarian currency is the lev. There are 100 stotinki in 1 lev.
You can exchange currency both in banks that work daily from Monday to Friday, and in currency exchange offices, some of which are open around the clock.
Be vigilant when you see a favorable exchange rate with a low percentage of commission on the transaction amount. Very often, such a rate is valid only for currency exchange, starting with a certain and rather large amount, while small amounts change with a higher commission.
Currently, many hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants accept common international credit cards for payment. ATMs, as a rule, operate at banks, shopping centers and gas stations.
However, most often you will have to pay in cash.
The shops
As a rule, shops are open in Bulgaria during a standard working day (in resort areas, most often until 22:00) from Monday to Friday inclusive. But quite often there are retail outlets (or small supermarkets) operating 24 hours a day, as well as shops that do not provide days off.
Transport
Bulgaria is a country with an established public transport mechanism, between the resorts (and within their territories) there are permanent bus routes.
On the Black Sea coast there is not only land, but also water public transport. Many resorts offer car rentals, which require an international driver’s license and an international environmental certificate.
From Varna to Sofia, the distance is 450 kilometers, from Burgas to Varna – 200 kilometers, and between the resorts of the Black Sea coast: Albena, Golden Sands, Balchik, Dobrich, St. Constantine and Elena, the distances do not exceed 50 kilometers.
Electricity
The voltage in the electrical networks of the country is 220 volts.
Time
Time zone in Bulgaria: GMT+2 (-1 h to Moscow ).
