Debit Cards on St John?
 

We don't like to carry a lot of cash, and also don't like to rack up our credit cards, which leaves the good ole debit card. Is it widely accepted on St. John? Also, can we use it for the ferry, grocery store? Just trying to tie up last minute details.

Check cards in the grocery store. Your debit card will be accepted at ATMs. The ferry, no chance!

RL

I use debit cards all the time on St. John. Sometimes as a debit card, sometimes as a credit card, depending on what's easier. The grocery stores in Coral Bay now have ATM's also, but they are not 100% reliable. Most of the bigger restaurants and shops also accept debit/credit cards. In Cruz Bay, there are ATM's at the banks in town, and at Starfish Market too.

Our debit card got taken by the ATM at First Bank in Cruz Bay (on a Friday night :( ) We were trying to get some cash when this happened.We later learned that this has happened alot at this ATM.Go to the ATM in front of the Starfish Market instead of First Bank.

I would recommend getting some travelers cheques just in case your card gets taken...you would have to wait until Monday after 2 PM to get the card back.

Christie

MSS, for a more detailed answer, search under "Calinurse" and you'll find my StJ trip report from July. There's a section in it on debit cards/ATMs

The ONLY ATM I found that worked ALL the time was at the Westin resort lobby. Starfish was broken, the bank upstaris from Starfish was broken, the one at Mongoose had a scary sign, and BOTH Coral Bay grocery store ATMs were broken,
You can use your debit card as a check card at groceries, but there was no "Cash over" option as there is at groceries/drug stores on the mainland.

Thanks for all of the recommendations. Calinurse, I enjoyed your trip report immensely. Got a lot of information! I will watch for the ATM's eating my card and be very careful. I guess it would be a good thing to take the checkbook and just be aware of what things could go wrong. Do all businesses take travelers checks? I haven't used them for quite a few years, but maybe it would be a good idea!

I am not sure about whether all businesses take traveler's checks but it will definitely be prudent to take some. While I've never had any ATMs eat my debit card, there may be times when any given ATM machine may not be working. Again, most businesses will take a credit card. Although you don't like to use them, they are good in a pinch. Also, you could just cash some traveler's checks at a local bank for cash. Then you're not really carrying "cash" per se. You do have to bring adequate ID. Have a great time. Can't wait for your trip report.