Currency
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of EC$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. US currency is accepted almost everywhere.
Note
The EC Dollar is tied to the US Dollar.
Currency exchange
Although the EC Dollar is tied to the US Dollar, exchange rates will vary at different exchange establishments. There are international banks in St John’s, and Sterling and US Dollars can be exchanged at hotels and in the larger shops.
Credit & debit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit and debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheques
Can be exchanged at international banks, hotels and the larger stores. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Currency restrictions
There are no limits on the import of local and foreign currency, provided declared on arrrival. The export of local and foreign currency is permitted up to the amount imported and declared.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the EC Dollar against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | Aug '04 | Nov '04 | Feb '05 | May '05 | | £1.00= | 4.97 | 5.11 | 5.06 | 4.95 | | $1.00= | 2.70 | 2.70 | 2.70 | 2.70 |
Banking hours
Mon-Thurs 0800-1300 and 1500-1700; Fri 0800-1200 and 1500-1700 (some banks open until midday on Saturday).
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