Ports of Call Currency

[frisbee50]

As this is our first time cruising, I have a question about paying for things in ports? I prefer not to use credit cards when we stop in Falmouth and Cozumel. Do all the vendors take US currency? What about restaurants like Margaritaville? Thanks!

[Ocean Dancer]

US currency is accepted all over the Caribbean.

[HighlandBoy]

We had no problem using USD just be aware that if you are using larger notes that your change may be in local currency.

[Ocean Dancer]

We had no problem using USD just be aware that if you are using larger notes that your change may be in local currency.

Just ask for change in USD. With so many cruisers in port, that won't be a problem. Be aware and don't get taken advantage of.

[reallyitsmema]

We had no problem using USD just be aware that if you are using larger notes that your change may be in local currency.

 

Correct, it is best to use the smallest bill you have so you do not get a lot of local currency. Some places will also give you change is USD, but the exchange is never any good.

[jdshaw1000]

US currency is universally accepted in the Caribbean. Remember that outside of restaurants and bars - do not pay sticker price. Bargaining is expected.

[Ocean Dancer]

There is no exchange for USD.....that's what you want.:D

[easyboy]

Paying in USD is not a problem

 

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[frisbee50]

Awesome! Thanks for all the quick replies. I'll be sure to bring plenty of smaller denomination bills.

[toxicfairy]

A lot of times when shopping we find that they'll give a better price if you're paying in USD.

 

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[Biker19]

US currency is accepted all over the Caribbean.

Folks are going to have to start adding the exception for Cuba - a bit harder to get away with just USD there.

[Ocean Dancer]

Folks are going to have to start adding the exception for Cuba - a bit harder to get away with just USD there.

Good catch!

[FOXTROT]

Folks are going to have to start adding the exception for Cuba - a bit harder to get away with just USD there.

 

Sorry that is not really the case. They will take US dollars. They will charge you the 13% fee. We were there last week. We had some Euros that we exchanged (no fee) for CUC's. When we started running low we just used US. There might be some government places that will not take them, we did not run into them.

[Biker19]

Sorry that is not really the case. They will take US dollars.

It's nice that you were able to visit places that took them - but many places won't. It may get better with time.

 

Biker, whose visit in January included several locations which would not take USD.

[paul929207]

On most ships, you can get large USD bills broken into smaller ones.

[lenquixote66]

I was told that I needed Euro's for Martinique and brought them with me only to find out that it was not necessary.