- Local Currency
- XCD
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: tourism.gov.vc, travelcurrencyguide.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- US dollars (bills only, not coins) are widely accepted at tourist businesses across all islands; you'll typically receive change in EC dollars at the official rate (1 USD = 2.70 XCD)
- ATMs dispense only EC dollars; withdraw cash in Kingstown before traveling to smaller islands or the Grenadines, where cash is essential and ATM access is severely limited
- Always confirm which currency vendors are quoting prices in to avoid confusion between USD and EC dollars
- For card purchases, select to pay in EC dollars if offered a choice—paying in USD through dynamic currency conversion will give much worse exchange rates
- Service charges of 10-15% are nearly automatic at hotels and restaurants; check your bill before adding an additional tip to avoid double-tipping
- Small-denomination, crisp USD bills are valuable for island boutiques, water taxis, beachside experiences, and informal vendors; larger bills may be difficult to break
- Banking hours are generally 8am–3pm Monday–Thursday, and until 5pm Friday; plan your ATM visits accordingly
ATM Fees
- Advice
- Notify your bank before traveling; bring two cards on different networks; use ATMs during daylight hours in Kingstown; withdraw larger sums to minimize visits
- Status
- Fees charged for out-of-network and foreign cards, but specific amounts for St. Vincent ATMs not well-documented
ATM Access
- Location
- Kingstown (several ATMs on Halifax Street, near cruise terminal and ferry terminal)
- Availability
- Concentrated in Kingstown; very limited elsewhere
- Functionality
- Dispense EC dollars; accept international Visa and Mastercard
- Note
- Limited network on outer Grenadine islands (Bequia, Union Island have 1-2 ATMs each); plan accordingly before island-hopping
Tipping Norms
- Dive Guides
- EC$20
- Hotel Staff
- Bellhops and housekeeping typically receive a couple of dollars
- Casual And Roadside Venues
- At roadside food stalls and informal eateries, a simple verbal acknowledgement ('bless up') is culturally appropriate; monetary tip optional but appreciated
- Taxi And Water Taxi Drivers
- Round up the fare as a gesture of thanks
- Restaurants With Service Charge
- Service charge of 10-15% is automatically added to bills at most hotels and larger restaurants; additional tipping is discretionary and appreciated for exceptional service
- Restaurants Without Service Charge
- Leave 10-15% gratuity if service charge is not included
- Note
- Wages are low in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, so all tips are genuinely appreciated; tipping reflects service quality and is a significant part of service workers' earnings
Exchange Rates
- Note
- USD widely accepted at hotels, yacht charters, dive shops, and tourist restaurants; change typically given in EC dollars at the official rate
Local Currency
XCD
Card Acceptance
- Overview
- Limited to major tourist establishments and Kingstown
- Card Types Accepted
- Visa and Mastercard primarily; check with establishments before relying on cards
Where Accepted
- Most hotels and large restaurants
- Some businesses in Kingstown (capital)
- Villa/Indian Bay tourist accommodation zone
- Major tourist-oriented venues
Where Not Accepted
- Local buses
- Market vendors and roadside food stalls
- Smaller island shops
- Water taxis and informal transport
Banking
- ATM Access
- Multiple commercial banks in Kingstown have ATMs accepting international cards and dispensing Eastern Caribbean dollars.
- Credit Cards
- Major credit cards widely accepted at hotels, established businesses, and larger restaurants; smaller establishments may be cash-only.
- Banks Present
- Multiple commercial banks operating in Kingstown (local and regional institutions); international banking licenses also available.
- Setup Summary
- Foreign nomads and non-residents can open bank accounts with proper documentation; most banks do not impose residency requirements.
- Remote Banking
- Accounts can be opened remotely; online and mobile banking services widely available.
- Note For Nomads
- Opening an account is straightforward; banks are accustomed to foreign clients. Online banking makes day-to-day management easy without physical residency. Non-residents exempt from tax filing on foreign-sourced income locally (but check obligations in home country).
Account Types
- Checking/current accounts
- Savings accounts
- Foreign currency accounts (multi-currency options available)
- Personal and business accounts
Documentation Required
- Valid passport
- Proof of address from home country (utility bill or bank statement)
- Completed application form
- Declaration of source of wealth/funds
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.tourism.gov.vc
- 2.travelcurrencyguide.com
- 3.iexplore.com
- 4.travel.usnews.com
- 5.thebostondaybook.com
- 6.thingstodoinsaintvincentandthegrenadines.com
- 7.caribbeantravelandtours.com
- 8.thecharteryachtcompany.com
- 9.audleytravel.com
- 10.geocountries.com
- 11.bestheartsurgery.com
- 12.evendo.com
- 13.bestcardiachospitals.com
- 14.bestcosmetichospitals.com
- 15.businessviewcaribbean.com
- 16.businessviewcaribbean.com
- 17.confiduss.com
- 18.blog.thekingdombank.com
- 19.jarniascyril.com
- 20.tourism.gov.vc
More About Kingstown
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.