In Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, the official currency is the CFP Franc (Change Franc Pacifique), abbreviated as XPF. This currency is shared with other French Pacific territories like French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna. A unique feature of the CFP Franc is that it is pegged to the Euro at a fixed exchange rate (approximately 1 EUR = 119 XPF), which provides significant price stability. While major hotels, upscale restaurants, and shops in Nouméa widely accept international credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), you will still need physical cash for smaller purchases, local markets, and bus fares. U.S. Dollars and Euros are generally not accepted for daily transactions, so it is best to withdraw XPF from an ATM upon arrival at Tontouta International Airport. Note that while New Caledonia is a French territory, the standard Euro used in France will not be accepted by local vendors.
In Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, the official currency is the CFP Franc (XPF), also known as the Pacific Franc. Here’s what you need to know about money in Nouméa:
Make sure to check the current exchange rates and transaction fees before your trip!