"Never use official exchange rate !" Top 5 Page for this destination Ashgabat Warnings Or Dangers Tip by aboulmiche

There are two rates to exchange USD to Manats: The official rate is around 5,000 Manats for 1 USD while the unofficial rate is 5 times more, around 25,000 for 1 USD.
Make sure to exchange your money in the Black Market. Do not worry about it since it is legal and protected by the government. You can exchange that in shopping malls or if you know someone.
Don't exchange money neither at the airport, nor at the hotel, otherwise, you will be charged the official rate.