Money & Payments in St. George's (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

US dollars widely accepted but you'll receive change in XCD at a less favorable street rate (often 2.50-2.60 instead of the official 2.70 bank rate); carry XCD for better value at local markets and vendors
Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, PayPal) have extremely limited acceptance outside major resorts; rely on physical cards or cash
Many card terminals offer dynamic currency conversion (charging in USD instead of XCD)—always decline and choose XCD to avoid 3-6% markup
If using US dollars for street transactions, clarify the exchange rate beforehand to avoid being shortchanged
Republic Bank ATMs are most reliable; avoid standalone ATMs in secluded areas
Service charges at restaurants are often 10-15%, so always check your bill before adding an additional tip
Small businesses and vendors outside St. George's and Grand Anse area are heavily cash-reliant

Currency

Local: XCD
USD Peg: Fixed at 2.70 XCD = 1 USD
Local Name: East Caribbean Dollar

Cash Guidance

Essential For: Local buses (EC$2.50 anywhere on main island, EC$6 to Grand Anse from airport), water taxis across the Carenage, market purchases, street food vendors, taxis, tour guides
USD Acceptance: Widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, tourist establishments; you will receive change in XCD. Street rate typically 2.50-2.60 XCD per USD instead of official 2.70, so less favorable than bank rate

Tipping Norms

Hotel Staff: Small tip for housekeepers, porters appreciated; typically $2 USD per bag
Tour Guides: EC$10
Typically 10-20 XCD per person depending on tour length
General Note: Tipping is customary but generally more relaxed than in the US. Gratuity should reflect service quality. Staff do not depend on tips to survive as heavily as in North America

Restaurants

If No Service Charge: 10-15% tip is customary for good service
Service Charge Included: Many restaurants add 10-15% service charge automatically; check your bill
If Service Charge Included: Additional tip not required, but leaving extra change for exceptional service is appreciated

Taxi Drivers

Status: Not strictly expected, but rounding up fare to nearest 5-10 XCD is a common courtesy gesture

ATM Information

Fees: EC$12
Foreign transaction fees typically range 10-15 XCD per withdrawal. Some bank ATMs (e.g., Republic Bank owned) may charge no ATM fee, but your card issuer may still apply fees
Availability: Available in St. George's, Grand Anse, Grenville and other towns. Republic Bank has the largest network with 11 convenient locations
Recommendations: Use ATMs at major bank branches (Republic Bank, RBTT, Scotia) in St. George's for better rates and lower fees than airport exchange counters. Avoid standalone ATMs in secluded areas due to card skimming risk

Card Acceptance

Cash Only Venues: Local buses, Saturday market at Market Square, roadside fruit/spice vendors, beach vendors, street food carts

Discover

Status: not accepted

Contactless Nfc

Where: Some resort restaurants, Spiceland Mall, newer Republic Bank terminals in main tourist corridor. Outside tourist areas, chip-and-PIN is standard; do not rely on contactless as only method
Status: available at newer terminals

Visa Mastercard

Where: Hotels, resorts, restaurants along the Carenage waterfront, Spiceland Mall, shops on Melville Street, dive operators, car rentals, larger establishments in St. George's and Grand Anse tourist areas
Status: widely accepted

American Express

Status: limited
Note: Accepted at select upscale resorts (Sandals, Royalton) but unreliable elsewhere

Payment Method Recommendations

For Nomads: Mix of credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) for major purchases, local cash for daily island life. Use ATMs at bank branches upon arrival rather than exchanging before travel or at airport

Banking

Summary: Limited specific information available on account setup requirements for non-residents; primary banks operate in St. George's
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$)
Note For Nomads: Nomads should contact banks directly for account opening requirements; residency and visa status may affect eligibility

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 St. George's

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in St. George's