TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Which beach bars/restaurants take credit cards

Hello,

I'm planning a bareboat charter in the BVIs in the summer. I suspect we are going to be hitting the various beach bars (Foxy's, Soggy Dollar, Willy T's, plus assorted restaurants) so I need to plan on how much cash to take.

I'd much rather pay by CC wherever possible but I don't know who takes what. I pinged the Willy T via their site and they said they take CCs but that's all I have at this point.

Thanks for any help.

Almost all take CC's. Still nice to have some cash, but almost all take CC's

Just make sure you use a card you can cancel easily if you start buying TV’s in Argentina. Don’t use a card you have linked to lots of payments ect…

Hmm, that's a good idea. So, follow up question (plus, still interested on specific places that do or don't): Of the places that do, do they take tap-to-pay type cards (like cards with chips or for example, my Apple Watch that I just hold near the reader)?

I've been thinking about getting the Apple Card as a backup card (I currently use a BofA card as my backup and I'd like to get rid of the physical card if possible) and this might be the kicker.

I travel mostly with cash. Too many times have I come home to fradulent charges ( I believe originated in the airports, not the BVI). I am not normal I know that..... but I do find cash is handy. There are times you do need it-tipping, broken machines etc...When I do use a card I make sure to use a card that is strictly a CC, not a debit one.
I would definitely not abandon a physical card-I have seen some pretty old machines in use.

Be sure you choose a card with no foreign transaction fees. They can really add up.

Visa or MC. Very few places accept AMEX.

Only place I can think of on Anegada that does not take CC's is Flash of Beauty.

Patriicia's on Smugglers is cash only but her prices are are resoanble ( and food so good) you cant blame her.Know too that sometimes CC machines down work down here

Credit card machines at the Roat Town ferry terminal were not working our last time through (November). It was cash only for walk up tickets. I general I take far less cash than I used to.

Good advice here and I'll add one; make sure to keep your debit card at home.

In general, don't use a debit card, EVER. You have almost no protections, except as a courtesy through your bank, on debit cards. It's always safer to use a credit card.

Thanks for all these - really appreciate it!

And yeah, would never even THINK about using a debit card except for getting cash from an ATM.

My bank reimburses me for ATM fees so I'm not worried about those. I just got the Apple Card as my new backup card (which doesn't have any recurring payments attached to it) and it doesn't have international transaction fees. I didn't initially opt for the physical card but based on above I think I may get one.

This has been really helpful - thanks so much for all the replies!

A lot more stores have the tap cards.