Carry Cash Most people worry about carrying cash with them while they're traveling. However, Saint Thomas is definitely a place you'll want to make sure you have cash on hand. Some notable restaurants and shopping venues are cash only, but it's not uncommon for places to not accept plastic.

Yes, it is highly recommended to bring cash (U.S. Dollars) to St. Thomas in 2026, primarily for transportation. While major resorts, high-end restaurants, and downtown jewelry shops readily accept credit cards and mobile payments, the local taxi system remains almost entirely cash-based. Taxis in St. Thomas do not typically have meters; instead, they use a per-person flat-rate system, and drivers rarely accept cards or digital apps. Furthermore, if you plan to use the local "Safari" buses (open-air trucks that follow a fixed route), you will need small bills as the fare is usually only $1 to $2. Cash is also useful for small tips for tour guides, beach bar purchases, and local vendors at "Vendor’s Plaza." Since St. Thomas is a U.S. territory, you won't need to worry about currency exchange if you are coming from the mainland, and while ATMs are available in Charlotte Amalie, bringing a "starter" amount of cash will save you from high island ATM fees.