I normally buy a few hundred dollars in foreign currency prior to departure from a foreign currency exchange in my community. His exchange rates are very good and certainly much better than the airport exchanges. I, too have noticed that some foreign ATMs will charge a fee of a few dollars, plus my U.S. bank will charge a "currency conversion fee." If you do reside in West Los Angeles, the name of the currency exchange is: Bretton Woods, located at 11659 San Vicente Blvd. (Brentwood). The proprietor, Mr. Scott, is very pleasant to deal with and I have used his services for many years.