Currency accepted on Caribbean islands

[Mum2Mercury]

I know that US dollars are desired everywhere, and that's fine for me, but we're traveling with some British friends.  Do the island vendors also want British pounds, or should our friends exchange their money?  

[Tree_skier]

I'd change.  While you might find the odd vendor who would take GBP or Euro's the majority won't.  USD are way easier to deal 

[crazyank]

7 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I know that US dollars are desired everywhere, and that's fine for me, but we're traveling with some British friends.  Do the island vendors also want British pounds, or should our friends exchange their money?  

Definitely change their money.  If they did get lucky and find a vendor who would accept pounds the exchange rate would be seriously bad.

[Reina del Mar]

British pounds not wanted…change to US $…sorry to be the bearer of bad news…

 

We buy ours in Marks and Spencer’s and find their rates better than those offered in banks..but worth checking on the day..they can order on line or just go into store, as M&S usually carry stock.

Edited April 26, 2023 by Reina del Mar

[Sunshine3601]

Definitely want to exchange to USD or use a credit card when possible.

[Mum2Mercury]

Thanks, All.  Since you're ALL saying "Change the money", I'm sure it's good advice.  No, this isn't bad news -- it'd be bad news to find it out ON THE ISLAND, once it's too late to do anything about it.  

 

[LB_NJ]

On 4/25/2023 at 8:38 PM, Tree_skier said:

I'd change.  While you might find the odd vendor who would take GBP or Euro's the majority won't.  USD are way easier to deal 

Depends on the Island on the French side of St. Maarten the default currency is the Euro.

[Tree_skier]

31 minutes ago, LB_NJ said:

Depends on the Island on the French side of St. Maarten the default currency is the Euro.

I am sure there are exceptions... Just as overall I would think USD would be the easiest. 

[BND]

Pretty much everything is priced in US dollars, even in places such as Mexico that use Pesos, they show both prices and post the exchange rate.  Expecting them to work in other currencies would be very difficult for them.  Most of the islands base their local currency on the US dollar so the vendors are familiar with it and can easily make change.  Honestly, unless it's less than $20-25 we use a credit card with vendors who accept them, which is pretty much everyone except for stands on the street.  We also tip on excursions in US dollars.

[BND]

8 hours ago, LB_NJ said:

Depends on the Island on the French side of St. Maarten the default currency is the Euro.

They still accept US dollars though.  

[Mick B]

Hi,

I am from the UK, but one thing I have learnt over the years though, is to take US Dollars.

 

When I first went to the Caribbean years back, it was to stay on land and my travel agent told me to take Caribbean Dollars (of some sort) which I did and then when I returned to the UK I had to sell them back to the travel agent at a loss as they were good for nothing to me. DO NOT DO THIS!

 

The second time I went to the Caribbean was via cruise ship from the US and I had done my research (after the first time) and found that most (if not all) islands and countries around that area take US Dollars and one reason for this is because most of the cruise ships and cruisers are US and don't seem to want to change their money into what the islands/countries currency is, so the islands/countries have 2 choices, either refuse the US Dollar and have no sale or except them and have a sale. Guess what they did? 

 

The other beauty of having US Dollars is that not only can you use them in the Caribbean, not only can you use them in the cruise ships casino, but most importantly, you can use them in the US mainland before and after your cruise and also keep them for the next time you visit the US or sail the Caribbean instead of selling them back to the travel agent.

BTW I still have a load from years ago when you got $2 for every £ and looking at the way the UK is at the moment, I am glad I did!

 

Another way (and Cruise ships don't like this) is to have a win in the cruise ship's casino (that use US Dollars) and then ask them to cash your win out instead of having it as onboard credit. Now you can go spend your winnings! I have done this a few times.

 

I would advise against using credit cards - not just due to possible fraud, but also because you get stung for transfer fees (which can mount up over the course of a 2 week cruise).

 

Hope this helps

 

Mick.

 

 

 

Edited April 27, 2023 by Mick B
spelling

[LB_NJ]

3 hours ago, BND said:

They still accept US dollars though.  

Yes however I think you actually get a better exchange rate with a credit card.

[bigque]

I have cruised to just about every island in the Caribbean and I have used US dollars at all of them. If I plan on purchasing something on the islands I usually have various denominations with me so that I can come close as possible to the price I am paying as not all will give you change In dollars. Most around the immediate port area will but there are some that will give you change in local currency especially in the non touristy areas. 

[Zach1213]

I travel to the UK like 10-15x yearly and I still wouldn't want GBP at the exchange rate over the last year 🙂

[Mum2Mercury]

4 hours ago, Mick B said:

I would advise against using credit cards - not just due to possible fraud, but also because you get stung for transfer fees (which can mount up over the course of a 2 week cruise).

I don't like to use credit cards on the island -- maybe I'm paranoid, but I've never been burned.  

 

If you adamantly don't want to carry cash, consider picking up a VISA gift card (I know they sell them at my credit union -- $1 fee).  If you don't spend all the money, you can use it for your gas and groceries once you're back  home.  Thing is, a hacker could take your couple hundred dollars, but they couldn't access your main bank account!  

 

Thanks again to EVERYONE -- you're all singing the same tune, so I'm sure it's good advice.  Rarely is this board so united on any topic.