💰 Quick Context: The Eastern Caribbean Dollar
St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD / EC$), pegged at EC$2.70 = $1 USD. Quick math: divide EC$ by 2.7. A EC$25 ferry ticket is about $9 USD. USD is widely accepted at tourist businesses on all islands. This is a multi-island country popular with sailors, divers, and island-hoppers. ATMs and card acceptance are concentrated on St Vincent proper (mainly Kingstown). The smaller Grenadine islands have very limited banking, so cash planning is essential before island-hopping.
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Order XCD → CEI Currency ExchangeIsland-by-Island Money Reality
St Vincent (mainland) has Kingstown as the financial center with banks, ATMs, and card-accepting businesses. This is where you stock up on cash before heading to the Grenadines. Bequia (the most popular Grenadine island for travelers) has a couple of ATMs in Port Elizabeth and some card acceptance at hotels and restaurants. Mustique is ultra-exclusive, with the Cotton House and Firefly hotels accepting cards. Union Island has limited ATMs in Clifton. Mayreau, Canouan, and the Tobago Cays are essentially cashless in the sense that there are no banks or ATMs, not that they accept cards. Everything is cash.
If you are chartering a yacht through the Grenadines, load up on cash in Kingstown or at Argyle International Airport (SVD) before setting sail. Marinas at Blue Lagoon (St Vincent) and Clifton Harbour (Union Island) have the best facilities, but smaller anchorages are strictly cash.
Cash vs. Card: What to Expect in St. Vincent & the Grenadines
In Kingstown, the CK Greaves supermarket, Cobblestone Inn restaurant, and shops along Halifax and Bay Streets accept Visa and Mastercard. Hotels near the new Argyle International Airport take cards. The Villa/Indian Bay area (the main tourist accommodation zone on St Vincent) has guesthouses and restaurants with card machines.
On Bequia, hotels like the Bequia Beach Hotel, Firefly Plantation, and Mac's Pizzeria accept cards. The Frangipani Hotel and several Belmont Walkway restaurants have terminals. But the Saturday market, water taxis, and smaller shops are cash-only. On Union Island, a few restaurants in Clifton take cards. Everywhere else in the Grenadines is cash.
How to Get EC Dollars for Your St. Vincent & the Grenadines Trip
St. Vincent and the Grenadines uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged at EC$ 2.70 = 1 USD. The peg makes USD-to-XCD essentially free at any ECCB-area bank counter, and USD is widely accepted across Kingstown and the Villa/Indian Bay tourist corridor on St Vincent. Cards work at Kingstown's CK Greaves supermarket, Cobblestone Inn, Bay Street shops, and at Bequia's larger hotels (Bequia Beach Hotel, Firefly Plantation, Mac's Pizzeria) and Belmont Walkway restaurants. Cash matters at the Bequia Saturday market, water taxis, and almost everything on Mustique, Mayreau, Union Island, Tobago Cays, and the Southern Grenadines. The cleanest path is to bring USD for direct spending or pull EC dollars from a Republic Bank or Bank of SVG ATM in Kingstown.
Bring USD cash before you fly
St. Vincent and the Grenadines runs on the EC dollar/USD peg, so most US travelers don't need a currency-exchange service. Bring USD in mixed denominations: $1, $5, $10, $20 for daily spending and $50/$100 for hotel and yacht-charter balances. The Bequia ferry, water taxis, and Tobago Cays day trips often prefer EC dollars, but everywhere else accepts USD at the official peg. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange can ship USD to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery if you don't have crisp bills, and Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citi all stock USD by default. St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for a Bequia + Tobago Cays trip: USD cash for daily spending plus a Wise or Charles Schwab card for Bequia hotel and Bay Street card payments.
Withdraw EC dollars from a bank ATM
Once on St Vincent, the cheapest source of EC dollars is one of the major bank ATMs. Republic Bank EC, Bank of SVG, CIBC FirstCaribbean, and RBC Royal Bank all give the actual interbank rate (effectively the EC peg cross-rate) with no markup. Most don't add their own operator fee for foreign cards. Withdrawal limits run roughly EC$1,000–1,500 per transaction (about $370–$555). ATMs cluster around Kingstown (Halifax Street, Bay Street, the cruise-ship terminal area), with limited coverage at Port Elizabeth on Bequia (one or two machines, often offline) and Clifton on Union Island (one or two machines). Mustique, Mayreau, the Tobago Cays, and Petit St. Vincent have zero infrastructure: withdraw or exchange enough on St Vincent before island-hopping. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a Republic Bank EC withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Cruise-port booths & hotel exchange windows
Three traps to walk past in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The currency-exchange counter at SVD (Argyle International) airport advertises rates that look reasonable but routinely runs 5–8% off the EC peg cross-rate. The bureaux de change inside the Kingstown cruise terminal target captive cruise-day passengers with similar markup. And paying for yacht charters, dive charters, or Tobago Cays day trips in USD often happens at unofficial cross-rates that quietly cost 5–10% versus negotiating the EC dollar price first. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Republic Bank, Bank of SVG, CIBC, or RBC; decline DCC; and pay USD at peg-rate venues whenever the math works. St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-XCD timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in St Vincent & the Grenadines
ATMs are in Kingstown (several), Port Elizabeth, Bequia (limited), and Clifton, Union Island (one or two). They dispense EC dollars.
Republic Bank
ATMs on Halifax Street in Kingstown, in Port Elizabeth on Bequia, and in Clifton on Union Island. The broadest network for island-hoppers. Reliable with international Visa and Mastercard. The Kingstown machine near the cruise terminal is convenient for arriving visitors.
Top PickBank of St Vincent & the Grenadines
The local bank with ATMs in Kingstown (Halifax Street) and Port Elizabeth, Bequia. Accepts Visa cards. Good backup to Republic Bank. Staff at the Kingstown branch can assist with card issues during banking hours.
Recommended
CIBC FirstCaribbean
ATM on Halifax Street in Kingstown. Part of the Canadian CIBC network with reliable foreign card processing. Limited to Kingstown only, but a solid option before heading to the Grenadines.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
At the Cotton House (Mustique), Bequia Beach Hotel, and a few upscale spots, the card terminal may offer to charge in USD. Always choose XCD (EC dollars). The EC$/USD peg is fixed at EC$2.70, so there is no exchange rate risk. DCC adds a 3-6% markup. If the screen defaults to USD, ask the staff to reprocess in local currency.
ATMs to Avoid
Grenadine Island ATMs on Weekends
The lone ATMs on Bequia and Union Island can run out of cash on busy weekends, particularly during sailing season (December-April) and regatta events. If you arrive on a Friday, withdraw early. Do not depend on Grenadine ATMs being stocked. Bring cash from Kingstown as your primary supply.
CautionPaying by Card in St Vincent & the Grenadines
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard work at hotels, yacht charter companies, dive shops, and upscale restaurants on St Vincent, Bequia, and Mustique. American Express is accepted at the Cotton House (Mustique) and possibly the Buccament Bay Resort, but not reliably elsewhere. Discover is not accepted.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless is rare. A few newer terminals at the Bequia Beach Hotel and Cotton House support tap-to-pay, but most machines require chip-and-PIN. Apple Pay and Google Pay coverage is negligible. The islands are laid-back and low-tech. Carry your physical card and cash.
Where Cards Won't Work
Ferries between islands are cash-only (EC$25 to Bequia, EC$30-40 to Union Island). Water taxis between islands and to beaches are cash-only. Market vendors in Kingstown and Port Elizabeth deal in cash. Tobago Cays boat vendors selling lobster and conch take cash only. Mayreau and Canouan (outside the resort) are cash economies. Local buses on St Vincent cost EC$1-3 and are cash-only.
Tipping in St Vincent & the Grenadines
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, check for a 10% service charge (common at hotels). If none, leave 10-15%. At Basil's Bar on Mustique, tips are expected and appreciated given the famous-but-expensive cocktails (EC$40-60). For yacht charter crew, the standard tip is 10-15% of the charter fee, given in cash at the end. Dive guides get EC$20-30 per person per dive. Taxi and water taxi drivers appreciate rounding up. Tip in EC$ or USD.
Kingstown, Bequia & the Grenadines: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
Kingstown is compact. Banks, ATMs, the cruise terminal, and the Bequia ferry terminal are all within walking distance on Halifax Street and Bay Street. Do all your banking here. The new Argyle International Airport (SVD) on the east side of St Vincent has limited facilities, so don't count on finding an ATM there.
Bequia is the most popular Grenadine island for independent travelers. The Belmont Walkway in Port Elizabeth has restaurants, bars, and a few shops. ATMs are in town but can run dry. For a week on Bequia, bring EC$1,000-2,000 ($370-740 USD) in cash plus backup USD. The Saturday market in Port Elizabeth has produce, fish, and local goods at great prices, all cash.
Sailing the Grenadines? Provisioning is best done in Kingstown (CK Greaves supermarket) or at the marina shops at Blue Lagoon. Bring enough cash for mooring fees, marine park fees (Tobago Cays EC$25 per person), fuel, and tips. Clifton Harbour on Union Island is the last stop with an ATM before heading to the Tobago Cays, Mayreau, or Palm Island.
Money Safety in St Vincent & the Grenadines
Staying Safe
The Grenadines are very safe. Bequia, Mustique, Mayreau, and the Tobago Cays feel relaxed and low-crime. Normal beach precautions apply: don't leave valuables unattended. Kingstown requires a bit more awareness, particularly around the market area. Use ATMs during daylight hours on Halifax Street.
On a yacht, keep cash in a waterproof pouch and use the boat's lockbox. Dinghy rides to shore for dinner mean carrying cash in beach-appropriate pockets. Bring two cards on different networks since Bequia and Union Island ATMs may accept one and not the other. Notify your bank before traveling to avoid fraud holds on this unusual destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use US dollars in St Vincent and the Grenadines?
Yes. USD is accepted at hotels, yacht charter companies, dive shops, and tourist restaurants across the islands. Change comes back in EC dollars. The informal rate is about EC$2.65 per $1 USD. For local buses on St Vincent, market vendors, and small island shops, EC dollars are preferred.
Are there ATMs on Bequia?
Yes. There is a Republic Bank ATM and a Bank of St Vincent ATM in Port Elizabeth, Bequia's main town. They can run low on cash during peak sailing season (December-April). Withdraw EC dollars in Kingstown before taking the Bequia Express ferry if possible, and bring USD as backup.
How do I pay for things in the Tobago Cays?
The Tobago Cays Marine Park is a protected area with no permanent shops, ATMs, or card machines. Local vendors in small boats sell lobster, conch, and drinks to visiting yachts. All transactions are cash (EC$ or USD). The marine park fee of EC$25 per person is also cash-only, collected by park rangers.
Do yacht charter companies accept credit cards?
Major charter companies based in St Vincent (Barefoot Yacht Charters, Horizon Yacht Charters) accept Visa and Mastercard for the charter booking. However, provisioning, fuel, mooring fees, and tips for your skipper are best handled in cash (EC$ or USD). Marinas at Blue Lagoon and Clifton Harbour (Union Island) accept cards for dockage.
Is Mustique expensive?
Very. Mustique is one of the most exclusive islands in the Caribbean. The Cotton House hotel charges $800-2,000+ per night. Basil's Bar is famous but pricey (cocktails EC$40-60, about $15-22 USD). A beach lunch runs $40-60 USD. Card acceptance is good at the Cotton House and Firefly hotel, but bring cash for Basil's Bar and smaller vendors.
How much is the ferry from St Vincent to Bequia?
The Bequia Express ferry from Kingstown to Port Elizabeth costs EC$25 each way (about $9 USD) and takes roughly one hour. Tickets are purchased at the terminal in Kingstown. Cash only (EC$ or USD). The ferry runs several times daily.
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Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise card (no-FX-fee) | Best rate (mid-market) | ★★★★☆ | ATM withdrawals and card payments where accepted |
| Bank ATM (EC$ withdrawal) | Good (EC$2.70 rate) | ★★★☆☆ | Cash for ferries, markets, island hopping |
| USD cash (direct use) | OK (lose ~2%) | ★★★★★ | Hotels, charters, restaurants |
| Hotel exchange | Poor (EC$2.50-2.60) | ★★☆☆☆ | Emergency only |
St Vincent & the Grenadines Quick Facts
| Currency | Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD / EC$) |
| Fixed Rate | EC$2.70 = $1 USD |
| USD Accepted? | Yes, widely at tourist businesses. EC$ for local services |
| Best ATMs | Republic Bank, Bank of SVG, CIBC FirstCaribbean |
| ATM Locations | Kingstown (several), Port Elizabeth Bequia (limited), Clifton Union Island (one) |
| Card Acceptance | Hotels, charters, dive shops. Cash for ferries, markets, smaller islands |
| Tipping | 10-15% at restaurants. 10-15% of charter fee for yacht crew |
| Best Strategy | Stock up on EC$ cash in Kingstown before island-hopping. USD as backup |