Do most ports take American money?

[singbluesilver1]

Going on the pride next week, haven't pre booked any excursions so may pay at the port for local tours

 

Will be hitting Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, st croix and grand Turk

 

Not worried about grand Turk

 

Will locals at the others take American cash??

 

Thanks loads

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

yes, all of them...

 

but have small bills....change is often given in local currency

[singbluesilver1]

Great thanks so much

[Miller_KC]

Yes, I've never been to a port in the Caribbean that did not take American money. Some credit card companies charge a small conversion fee but I've only had that happen 3 or 4 times and mostly in Canada. Once or twice they gave me my change in local currency but that's ok I usually try to get a few local coins from the ports we visit. Sometimes some of the shops don't even have local currency, just American money.

[SadieN]

St. Croix is an American territory.

[leaveitallbehind]

Yes, I've never been to a port in the Caribbean that did not take American money. Some credit card companies charge a small conversion fee but I've only had that happen 3 or 4 times and mostly in Canada. Once or twice they gave me my change in local currency but that's ok I usually try to get a few local coins from the ports we visit. Sometimes some of the shops don't even have local currency, just American money.

 

Not on the OP's itinerary but Martinique uses the Euro as its currency and does not take US dollars. Some places there will accept US based credit cards, however.

[ATL_Miami_Cruiser]

They'll take US dollars, but be aware that most will not convert the currency correctly (if at all) and you'll end up paying more. These islands count on tourists not knowing much and will make a nice profit off it.

Edited January 5, 2016 by ATL_Miami_Cruiser

[navybankerteacher]

They'll take US dollars, but be aware that most will not convert the currency correctly (if at all) and you'll end up paying more. These islands count on tourists not knowing much and will make a nice profit off it.

 

Actually, many places on French St. Martin, where the Euro is the official currency, will accept US $ on a one for one basis - giving the tourist a real advantage.

[cb at sea]

Yes...almost ALL of the Caribbean and Mexico will GLADLY take US Dollars....no worries! Try to have smaller bills..the ship can break larger bills for you...so you don't need to get foreign money as change!

Edited January 5, 2016 by cb at sea

[OCruisers]

Going on the pride next week, haven't pre booked any excursions so may pay at the port for local tours

Will be hitting Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, st croix and grand Turk

Not worried about grand Turk

Will locals at the others take American cash??

Thanks loads

 

All the places you're going happily accept the US Dollar! :D

 

Note: Some places in Bonaire will not cash a $100 Dollar bill.

St. Croix is a US Virgin Island so naturally, it's always the US Dollar there.

 

LuLu

[John Bull]

No worries :cool:

 

Yes, USD aren't so widely accepted at just a very very few places in the Caribbean, like the afore-mentioned Martinique or Isla Margarita's Porlamar, or Cuba. None of which will concern you.

 

Some Caribbean currencies are officially tied to the USD (dual currency) and some islands the local currency is USD, though I don't know whether that applies to any of your ports.

 

But certainly all on your list take US dollars.

And in most outlets the prices will be displayed or bartered in USD. So the value compared to local currency is a bit of a red herring.

 

But do heed advice about denominations.

Large denominations like $100 might be declined, ditto for whatever reason two-dollar bills.

And although touristy outlets will give change in USD, shops etc geared to locals will accept USD but give change in local currency - their cash registers are geared to do that. Those shops will likely be better value than a port shop for things like a soda. So take plenty of ones & fives (change down in ship's casino if you have to), cos a $20 bill might get you a two-dollar icecream and a pocketful of local shrapnel.

Small denominations also help with bartering. Easy to offer a max of $5 for a tee-shirt when holding up a $5 bill, more difficult if holding up a twenty.

 

Grand Turk. Bars at the pier charge same prices as the ship. Turn left as you exit the pier & you'll get far better value from the little shacks just outside the "private beach".

 

JB :)

Edited January 5, 2016 by John Bull