AGC

I am about to go to Nevis and St. Kitts for two weeks. In addition to credit cards, which we'll use for meals at hotels, would you recommend bringing cash or traveler's cheques. Are there ample banks for conversions into the local currency? Can you pay with dollars at beach bars and for taxis? Thanks!

Sunnyboy

Credit cards are accepted at all hotels, most restaurants and businesses however some of the smaller shops and local establishments only take cash.

The US dollar is accepted everywhere (no problem using them to pay taxis or at beach bars) but at smaller places you are likely to receive change in $EC. The official exchange rate is $EC2.6882 to $US1.00 but varies slightly from vendor to vendor. Carry a small "credit card" size calculator to help you with conversions or use this simple formula - divide EC price by 3 and add 10%. The result will be very close to actual cost.

There are several banks in Basseterre (St. Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis) where you can convert money or cash traveler's checks (you'll pay a fee)but you really don't have to waste time doing that if you have small $US denomenations. The banks all have ATM's that dispense $EC. Your hotel will also exchange moderate amounts of $US for $EC or cash traveler's checks for you. Keep in mind that in this day and age of ATM's and credit cards traveler's checks are becoming a thing of the past all over the world and Nevis - St. Kitts is no execption. The hotels and bigger restaurants will generally accept TC's but some of the smaller places won't. Unless you are paranoid about taking cash or using an ATM I'd pass on traveler's checks but that, of course, is up to you.

beachpup

I'd take some cash. Presuming you venture outside your hotel and that St. Kitts and Nevis are similar to St. Lucia and St. Vincent, you will both need and want cash. While Sunnyboy is right on, note that you will not receive a correct exchange rate in $ECs from a $US purchase at any business establishment - including taxis. My experience in February was that local merchants generally provided an exchange rate of between 2.4 and 2.6 versus the actual exchange rate. (Legally they are supposed to make change in $EC and not $US and nearly all do so) While not severe, if you expect to make many purchases I'd recommend exchanging your US currency at a bank before venturing out. And I personally wouldn't want the hassle of messing with travelers checks. After a few transactions you'll get the "feel' for how much $EC you need. This knowledge will be useful when you are ready to return home to avoid bringing back a large sum of $EC.

happymz

Based upon my recent experience, were I to return I would bring limited US$ and just get EC from the ATMs there - - - and use EC for most purchases because we found we were often not getting the best conversion rate when we paid with US$. However, every place we visited, including local groceries, took both US and EC.

When you do use your Credit card, particularly at dining establishments, ask for them to simply charge you in EC - often times they put their version of the US$ exchange at the bottom for you to authorize and often the exchange goes heavily in their favor.

RE: ATMs, we found these only in the main town on Nevis & St. Kitts, with the exception of the Marriott on St. Kitts which did have ATMs (Four Seasons on Nevis does not)- and it's worth noting that the only ATMs on either island that dispense US$ are the ATMs in the casino at the Marriott. But the ATMs in the towns are ample - particularly on Nevis, which has tons of banks downtown due to significant off-shore banking.

I do not think Traveler's Cheques are necessary and are likely more hassle than they are worth.

myislands

I usually travel with cash, and use USD while in St. Kitts. If you are staying at a hotel you can usually cash travellers checks in there, no problem. They usually exchange you for EC though. Either way, EC or US is fine. I have also used my credit card to pay for larger purchases like day trips and such.

You might want to post your question at another St. Kitts & nevis baord.

myislands.myeyez.net

Krista