Getting Change on the Islands

[toberman]

I know from experience that on some Islands they have to give you change in their currency, on others they will give change in US$. Never having been, does anyone have experience on Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada and Dominica ?? Thanks

[sail7seas]

We've gotten both local and U.S. in change.

 

The key is to have small bills so you don't need a lot of change.

If they start to give you local, ask if they have U.S. Sometimes they have some and will provide that upon request. Other times they simply don't have any. Remember, they are 'accommodating' us by taking our U.S. $$

 

 

(Yes, I get it about wanting the business etc etc etc etc)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We always make certain that we take a lot of ones and fives with us when we go ashore.

 

And I always ask for US change -- most times they will have some.

 

Only a couple of times the last few years have we gotten back the local coins.

[John Bull]

As other posts, take plenty of $1 bills, to avoid getting local shrapnel in your change. Ship's casino can probably help to change-down.

Port taxis, market traders & beach vendors will automatically give US change for a US note.

Problem tends to be in shops etc that primarily serve the locals. Their cssh registers are set-up to charge in local money, the registers usually also cater for cash being tendered in USD but display correct change in local currency.

Happens with some currencies in europe & elsewhere too, though not neccessarily involving USD.

 

JB :)

[cb at sea]

You don't need EXACT change, but you don't want to give them a $100 bill for a $3 purchase!

They can generally give you US dollars in change, if the change is under $20 or so.

[marco]

Take singles and fives and tens. Cabs, small purchases, etc are almost always in whole dollar amounts. And like the above poster said, don't give someone a $100 bill for a $3 purchase.

[Dayenu]

I try to bring enough small bills, but if you don't want to carry a bulky package, just ask before buying anything, if they will give you change in US dollars. It's amazing how fast they "find" US currency when you start walking away ;)

[Underwatr]

The official currency in Bonaire changed to the US Dollar some time in the last year. Bonaire is no longer part of the Netherlands Antilles (which dissolved last October) but now a "special municipaility" of the Netherlands.

[LHT28]

As above we have gotten both

If I have left over coins I give them to the room steward as they will probably back in that port before I will ;)

[Betsy's Mom]

We lived in the Caribbean and have visited most Islands, when we get local coin of any sort, we find children playing who are delighted to be given same.We become very popular for little amounts of money:) Churches also like donations!

B.

[Putterdude]

The vendors and shops catering to the cruiser/tourist will usually give change in US$. However, often when you go to something like a grocery store, convenience market or some ma & pa shop off the tourist path you get your change in the local currency ....so stay with smaller bills.

[gingerboo]

The official currency in Bonaire changed to the US Dollar some time in the last year. Bonaire is no longer part of the Netherlands Antilles (which dissolved last October) but now a "special municipaility" of the Netherlands.

 

Really? I did not know that!! What about Aruba and Curacao? I used US dollars back in early 2001 in Aruba with no problem at all! Was St. Maarten part of this dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles??

[Underwatr]

I don't really understand the political/geographic terms, so I'll just quote from Wikipedia:

Aruba seceded in 1986 as a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the rest of the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved on 10 October 2010, resulting in two new constituent countries, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, with the other islands joining the Netherlands as "special municipalities", officially public bodies.

[Colorado Kat]

I like having foreign coins as change. Take them home and they are a great souvenir for a child. I toss them in a jar, and look them over periodically myself.

[mapsmith]

I have some interesting coinage from various Caribbean islands. Asquare coin from Aruba and some Euros from Aruba and St. Maarten. Keep your change, it is a neat souvenier.

[cruiseryyc]

their currency, /QUOTE]

 

Why wouldn't they give you change in "their" currency - you are in "their" country after all!