Currency in local ports for misc. purchases?

[classicwhaler]

Okay, this is probably the dumb question of the day (hopefully not the dumb question of month or year). Sailing with HAL from Ft. Lauderdale to Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica and just wondering how to handle small purchases for sodas, trinkets, postcards, stamps, etc. Hate to use credit cards for such small purchases and security issues, too. Will dollars work in these ports like they do in most tourist locations? Thanks!

[gregdude]

Some may and some may not, but in any case the front desk will exchange currency to any country you visit. It will be more expensive than a credit card, but for small amounts it works very well.

[NMLady]

Okay, this is probably the dumb question of the day (hopefully not the dumb question of month or year). Sailing with HAL from Ft. Lauderdale to Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica and just wondering how to handle small purchases for sodas, trinkets, postcards, stamps, etc. Hate to use credit cards for such small purchases and security issues, too. Will dollars work in these ports like they do in most tourist locations? Thanks!

On our Panama Canal transit we used dollar bills in each of those countries (except Panama -- we didn't have a port stop there) and had no difficulty using them to buy souvenirs and bottled water.
In fact, a lady in a small shop in Costa Rica was delighted to get a $2 bill that my husband offered instead of the two $1 bills I offered.

[jhannah]

Your USD will do just fine.

[CtheW0rld]

USD works in panama, too. it is the standard currency.

[pms4104]

Concur with others that USD work just fine ... just make sure you take ashore enough small-denomination bills for your inexpensive trinkets and purchases, as any change you receive likely will be in local currency. Even change from your dollars will be local coinage ... a nice little souvenier.

[brown's fan 1]

If you go to Martinique, you will be happy to have euros along. Because of the weak dollar, euros are much preferred there as they are the currency and you'll get a better deal if you use them. I am sorry to say that the days of the dollar being welcomed everywhere are coming to an end.

[CtheW0rld]

I am sorry to say that the days of the dollar being welcomed everywhere are coming to an end.

nonsense.

[m steve]

so you don't get a lot of local currency back.

[jtl513]

In any tourist areas you will have no problem using $US. The merchants know that if they don't take what you've got then they don't make the sale. However, the exchange rate may be terrible, and as others have mentioned you'll get your change in local currency.

If you want some local currency, that is an easy way to get it. In some countries we have bought a $3 - $4 item in a shop near the pier with a $20 bill specifically to get money for local public transportation, which often won't take foreign money, and other trivial purchases.

[Sue from Canada]

I am sorry to say that the days of the dollar being welcomed everywhere are coming to an end.

Your US dollars are welcome in my Canadian bank account any time:). Spare change?

[willowoodf]

If you go to Martinique, you will be happy to have euros along. Because of the weak dollar, euros are much preferred there as they are the currency and you'll get a better deal if you use them. I am sorry to say that the days of the dollar being welcomed everywhere are coming to an end.

We just got back from a cruise which included Martinique, and we had no problem using US dollars, from a taxi at the pier to buying souvenirs. We even noticed some stores had signs in the window that said "U.S. $ welcome" We were pleased to see that, since we had read here on CC that we had better have Euros, and we had forgotten to get some before leaving the ship.

Mary

[Bakincakes]

Have never had an issue using US$$ most anywhere.

If thieves are still willing to steal them from you, you know they are still acceptable currency wherever you visit.;)