What currency is best in St. Lucia?

The Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar is used on St Lucia and can be obtained at any bank. Most places accept US dollars, but change will be given in EC dollars. Most hotels, restaurants and larger stores accept credit cards, but local stores seldom do.



The official currency of St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which has been pegged to the US Dollar at a stable rate of $1.00 USD to $2.70 XCD for decades. In 2026, the "best" currency depends on your spending habits. For local markets, small roadside stands, and local buses, having EC Dollars is essential to avoid poor exchange rates or being given change in a mix of currencies. However, the US Dollar is widely accepted in all major tourist areas, hotels, and upscale restaurants. Most prices in tourist zones are listed in both currencies. If you pay in USD, expect to receive change in EC Dollars. For the best value, travelers are advised to withdraw EC Dollars from local ATMs or use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, as many businesses now use modern digital payment systems. If you bring cash, carrying small denominations of US Dollars (like $1s, $5s, and $10s) is highly convenient for tipping and small souvenir purchases without needing a full currency exchange.

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As US Dollars are so widely used across the Caribbean, a secure currency card can be really handy for your holiday spends. Simply load it with dollars before you go and you can top up while you're travelling, withdraw money from cash machines and make contactless payments.

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Tap water in Saint Lucia is chlorinated and considered safe to drink. However, it's best practice for travelers to drink bottled water anyways to avoid the possibility of ingesting bacteria or other microorganisms. Bottled water is readily available throughout the country and usually costs $1 USD.

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Usually we only take 100 Dollars in small bills just for tips, any money we need we then get from the ATMs in local currency or alternatively you can use a credit card for resort extras, but IMHO it is always advisable to have access to cash we are from the UK and we have a debit card that cost nothing for an ATM ...

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The average traveler can expect to pay $150-$400 per day when visiting St. Lucia. This means the cost of a week in St. Lucia will be, on average, between $1,000 to $2,800 per person or more.

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ATMs are available on St. Lucia to receive cash advances from Mastercard and Visa credit cards as well as Cirrus and Plus ATM cards. ATMs are located in Castries, Soufrière, Rodney Bay, and Vieux Fort.

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Prohibited Imports
  • Counterfeit currency and coins.
  • Food unfit for human consumption.
  • Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographic or other engravings, pornographic records, videos or any other indecent articles or matter.
  • Matches which contain white or yellow phosphorus.


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Their cabs are unmetered, but the government fixes tariffs for all standard trips. Typical fares -- say, from Castries to Hewanorra Airport -- are $90, or else from Castries to Rodney Bay, $20 to $25. Always ask if the driver is quoting a rate in U.S. dollars or Eastern Caribbean dollars (EC$).

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