TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Southern Caribbean What is the currency called in St. Lucia

do they accept U.S. dollars and how much cash does one typically take? This is a first trip for us to St. Lucia. Are ATM readily available where I can MAC out more $$ with my U.S. bank debit card. We leave this Sat. the 28! Thanks!

Hi. I changed the title of your post to make it clear you're talking about St. Lucia. Don't really know the answers to your questions, but as far as how much cash to take, are you doing an all inclusive? Many places on ST. Lucia are a/i, so that would make a huge difference about how much money to take.

The currency in St Lucia is EC (Eastern Caribbean), although people are glad to take US $. They will give you change in EC.

Thank you,
no it is not an all inclusive, so again, any thoughts on amount of cash, and also on ATM situation?. We are staying at Windjammer resort and are not buying their meals. Also, does anyone know how far from the Hewanna (sp). airport the resort is?

Hewanorra is the international airport at the very southern tip of St Lucia. Your place appears to be near Castries? Plan on an hour and a half of twisty turny drive. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

FYI - just to clarify, the official currency in St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. The Exchange rate is $1US=$2.70EC. $US are widely accepted on the island and some vendors will have prices marked in both currencies. If you see only one price it's probably in $EC. If in doubt, just ask. A quick rule of thumb to convert $EC to the $US equivalent is as follows: Divide $EC price by 3 and add 10%. The result will be very close to actual cost. For example: $30.00EC/3=$10.00 then $10.00 + $1= $11US.

Now, it's difficult to say how much cash YOU will need as everyone's spending/eating habits are different and whether or not you plan on using credit cards or paying just cash.

Here's a way for you to estimate how much you'll probably spend on food. Figure out how much you'd spend if you ate the same number of meals at similar types restaurants (upscale, moderate, fast food, etc.) where you live. Add 30% to that figure and you'll have a workable food budget for your vacation and probably have a little left over at the end of your trip.

As for excursions, figure between $50US and $75US per person per activity.

Yes, there are ATM's around the island. They will dispense $EC.



Hope this helps.

Just remember unless you have a bank account with one of the banks they will not convert EC to $

I usually figure $100 US a day if Kim is with me and $75 a day if I'm alone when were on land. We mainly eat at local places ( her favorites are the chicken shack outside the marina and the jerk truck by Rehab in Rodney Bay) also she doesn't drink much. But the 100 covers all our expenses including phone calls and bus fare to get around. My Us ATM card works at Scotia Bank & RBTT, but not the Caribbean Bank

will US banks and money changers (like at airports) buy ec money back?
They won't buy argentina's pesos back, but are glad to sell them TO you.

be careful we left Bequia a couple of months ago and the bank would not exchange EC back to US. said we had to have a bank acount?? right. if i had thought about it i could have asked someone next in line to do it for me but wasn't thinking right. anyway no they will not exchange on island. although there was a bank at the airport but was not open early enough for me to exchange before my flight. that was in Bequia. St. vincent and the grenadines.

anyway i know your gone now but always figure at least $150 day for a couple. if your not all inclusive

Your local bank in the US should be able to do this for you - at a cost.

We were in St. Lucia last week. Indeed the ride is 1 1/2 hours from the airport but it was a great ride. Beautiful scenery and the roads were in great condition.

Find out if US banks will buy EC money back? Like they WILL buy euros back.
They will NOT buy Argentinas pesos back for example.

Nor will they buy Bahamian dollar or Dominican Republic pesos and don't even consider Haiti's Gourde

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