- Local Currency
- EUR
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: explore.atmfeesaver.com, frenchcaribbean.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Establish a 4-digit PIN for your ATM card before departure or it may not be accepted by island ATMs.
- Guadeloupe uses the Euro exclusively—USD is rarely accepted and not recommended. Bring EUR or withdraw from ATMs.
- Cards with no foreign transaction fees (like some Capital One cards) help avoid extra costs; check with your bank before traveling.
- At ATMs offering currency conversion options, select 'Decline Conversion' or 'Charge in EUR' to avoid unfavorable ATM exchange rates and hidden percentage fees.
- Card payments are widely accepted in restaurants and supermarkets; cash is best for small purchases, street vendors, and rural areas.
- Service charges are sometimes (but not always) included in restaurant bills at 10-15%; tipping in Guadeloupe is expected but lighter than in the USA (typically 8-15% if not included).
- Withdraw cash from ATMs inside banks, supermarkets, or shopping centers rather than isolated kiosks, and avoid night withdrawals in urban areas.
Tipping Norms
- General
- Tipping is discretionary throughout Guadeloupe. It is a polite gesture to recognize good service but is not obligatory. Keep small bills handy for tipping when desired.
Taxis
- Status
- Not required
- Details
- Rounding up the fare or leaving small change is appreciated but not expected. If driver is especially helpful with luggage, an additional 10% is generous.
Hotels
- Bellhop Housekeeping
- €2.00
Restaurants
- Status
- Not mandatory; often included in bill
- Details
- Some restaurants automatically add a service charge. Check your bill before tipping. If service charge is included, no additional tip is required.
- Typical Amount
- 10% is standard and appreciated. Service charge of 10-15% may already be included in restaurant bills, though this is not always common.
Local Currency
EUR
ATM Information
- Safety
- Use ATMs inside banks, supermarkets, shopping centers, or hotels rather than isolated kiosks. Avoid withdrawals at night in dimly lit areas.
- Languages
- Default to French; English available on most machines in larger towns and tourist areas; Spanish may also be available.
- Availability
- ATMs are widely available in Pointe-à-Pitre, especially at shopping centers, gas stations, bank branches, and tourist areas. Most are 24/7.
- Accepted Cards
- Visa, Mastercard, Plus, Cirrus widely accepted. Some machines accept American Express, Diners, Discover, JCB.
- Operating Hours
- Most 24/7, especially near town centers and shopping districts. ATMs in post offices or government buildings follow regular office hours.
- ATM Names French
- Called 'Distributeurs automatiques' (DAB) or 'ATM'
Fees
- Bank ATM Fees
- Majority of bank ATMs in Guadeloupe do not charge ATM access fees to foreign cardholders. However, fees may apply depending on your home bank.
- Currency Conversion
- Some ATMs offer 'Accept or Decline Conversion' option. Decline conversion (charge in EUR) to avoid extra percentage fees and get better exchange rate.
- User Reported Costs
- Anecdotal reports suggest around $5 USD per withdrawal when fees apply, though many users report fee-free withdrawals at bank ATMs.
Best Banks
- Crédit Agricole
- Caisse d'Épargne
- BNP Paribas
- Banque des Antilles Françaises
Card Acceptance
- Where Cards Work
- Cards are accepted at restaurants, supermarkets, shopping centers, and tourist establishments. Cash is still needed for markets, bakeries, local shops, and occasional rural areas.
Credit Debit Cards
- Details
- Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in restaurants, supermarkets, and most establishments. American Express and Discover are rarely accepted.
Widely Accepted
- Visa
- Mastercard
Limited Acceptance
- American Express
- Discover
Currency Exchange
- Exchange Rate Recommendation
- Get better rates at local banks, ATMs, or currency exchange offices rather than hotels.
- Official Currency
- Euro (EUR only). US dollars accepted in some tourist locations but rarely, and change given in euros.
Exchange Locations
- Airport
- Pôle Caraïbes International Airport (Pointe-à-Pitre) and some exchange offices downtown available, but rates less favorable than local banks.
- Exchange Bureaus
- Some tourist information centers, ferry terminals, and port zones in Pointe-à-Pitre and Le Gosier offer services, though not as common as in larger international destinations.
Banks
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 2:00 PM-4:00 PM. Some branches open Saturday mornings.
- Details
- Better rates than airports or hotels.
Banking
- Banking Hours
- Generally Monday-Friday 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00; some branches open Saturday mornings
- Account Opening
- Possible; multiple major banks operate in Pointe-à-Pitre with branch locations and online options
- ATM Availability
- Widely available throughout the city
- Online Banking Option
- Online payment institutions like Sogexia offer 100% online account opening, no minimum income required
Banks Present
- BNP Paribas Antilles-Guyane
- BRED Banque Populaire
- Crédit Agricole
- Caisse d'Épargne
- La Banque Postale
- LCL Banque et Assurance
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.
More About Pointe-à-Pitre
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.