If you’re a first time visitor to St. Lucia, you will undoubtedly need to know about our island’s currency.
You may have questions like; What is St. Lucia’s official currency?
What is the exchange rate to your country’s currency?
How much money should I take with me on my trip to St. Lucia?
How much do things cost in St. Lucia?
These are all common questions asked by travelers coming to our beautiful island, and in this blog post, we will attempt to answer them!
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar
The official St. Lucia Currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar.
It has been in existence since 1965 and is also the official currency of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States, which includes five independent states and two British overseas territories.
It is usually abbreviated EC or XCD with a symbol of the standard dollar sign $.
Where Can You Buy Eastern Caribbean Dollars?
In some countries, you can buy foreign currency at your local Post Office.
Depending on where you live, you can buy the Eastern Caribbean Dollar at your local bank.
Your local bank may well end up being the best option for getting the best exchange rates.
If you can’t buy Eastern Caribbean Dollars in your country, you can do so when you get to St. Lucia. You can buy EC Dollars from the front desk of your hotel accommodation or, at one of the banks on the island.
Can You Use US Dollars In St. Lucia?
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar was fixed to the US dollar on 7 July 1976. So US dollars are widely accepted in St Lucia.
It is easy to convert the Eastern Caribbean Dollar to USD. But bear in mind that banks in St. Lucia are happier to accept new dollar bills rather than old, dog-eared ones.
If you pay in cash using US Dollars, chances are you will receive your change in the local St. Lucian currency.
What Is the Preferred Foreign Currency to Use In St. Lucia?
Some of the most widely accepted foreign currencies in St. Lucia include the US Dollar, Euro Dollar, and British Pound.
And there are many places in St. Lucia that you can exchange your foreign currency for Eastern Caribbean Dollars.
But, should you change all your money to EC$ before you go, or buy US dollars, or take your foreign currency?
Changing everything to EC or US Dollars before you go is the best option.
An excellent piece of advice is to take US dollars for any potential large purchases you wish to make, and EC$ for the grocery shopping and smaller souvenir shopping.
When you go to an ATM, you will receive money in Eastern Caribbean Dollars.
You could consider carrying a small amount of your foreign currency with you and then get all your money from an ATM when you get to St. Lucia.
How to Exchange Money In St. Lucia and Exchange Rates
The exchange rate for foreign currencies fluctuate depending on the time you visit St. Lucia.
So make sure you’re informed about the current exchange rate in effect at the time of your visit.
The standard exchange rate of the US Dollar to Eastern Caribbean Dollars is USD 1 to $2.70 EC.
However, the standard exchange rate will vary slightly depending on the time of your visit and where you exchange your money.
Some attractions, hotels, and restaurants in St. Lucia will accept other foreign money, such as the Euro Dollar, Canadian dollar and Pound Sterling, but smaller shops and cafes probably won’t.
There are many places all over the island where you can change your foreign money for the local currency.
But, the best and safest place to exchange your foreign currency is at a local bank.
Banks will use the international currency exchange rate that is in effect at the time you visit.
Other places may use fixed exchange rates that may cost you a little extra.
Using Credit Cards And Debit Cards In St. Lucia
Just about anywhere you go in the world these days will accept credit and debit cards. And St. Lucia is no different.
Most well-established business places in St Lucia, such as hotels, tourist attractions, and more prominent restaurants accept credit and debit cards.
But smaller shops most often found in St. Lucia’s suburbs and rural areas will only accept cash.
It is also vital that you also pay attention to extra charges for the use of your credit or debit card while you’re abroad.
Check with your bank or credit card provider to see what international charges may apply.
Tipping in St. Lucia
Wherever you go in the world, it is vital that you know the local customs, so that you avoid offending anyone.
In some countries, tipping is as standard as paying for something in the first place; in others, tipping is very rare.
So what’s the policy on tipping in St Lucia? Well, unlike some other Caribbean islands, tipping is left entirely to the discretion of the traveler.
You can tip, or not, depending on how you feel about the service you receive, and you won’t be a penny pincher.
The standard for gratuities is around 10% of the total bill, but some places will have already added this extra charge.
Some all-inclusive establishments in St. Lucia prohibit tipping, so do a little research about where you’re staying before you tip.
It is also worth bearing in mind that wages in some places such as hotels and eateries may be quite low.
So, if you have received excellent service and delicious food, then you may want to say a little extra thank you by leaving a tip.
Our beautiful island is one of those places that should be on your bucket list to visit.
It is a beautiful country with friendly people, lovely scenery and delicious food and drink.
And, as you can see, acquiring the right currency to pay for your expenses during your trip is pretty straightforward.
If you have a question about St. Lucia’s currency that we’ve not answered in this article, leave a comment, we will be more than happy to help.
Damian is a co-founder, editor, and author at Islanderkeys. He is also a dedicated father and husband. Damian is an IT Manager / Web developer by profession, but he loves to Blog and share his knowledge about St. Lucia in travel forums.
