💰 Quick Context: The Eastern Caribbean Dollar
Grenada uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD / EC$), pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of EC$2.70 = $1 USD. In practice, you will get about EC$2.65 when exchanging cash. A quick shortcut: divide EC$ prices by 2.7 for USD. A EC$50 meal is about $18.50 USD. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere tourists go, and you will get change in EC dollars. This is a small island where cash and cards both work, but cash is essential for markets, buses, and smaller businesses.
🎧 Order EC Dollars Before You Fly
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Order XCD → CEI Currency ExchangeUsing US Dollars in Grenada
Grenada's tourism industry runs comfortably on both currencies. Hotels, resorts, dive shops, and tour operators (Pure Grenada tours, Dive Grenada, Mandoo Tours) all quote and accept USD. Restaurants along Grand Anse Beach (Umbrellas Beach Bar, Coconut Beach, The Beach House) and in St. George's (BB's Crabback, The Nutmeg) take USD without hesitation.
You will receive change in EC dollars. The exchange rate used by businesses is typically EC$2.50-2.65 per $1 USD, which is slightly worse than the official EC$2.70. For the best value, withdraw EC dollars from ATMs for everyday purchases. Use USD directly only when EC$ is not convenient. Spice market vendors at the Sendall Tunnel end of St. George's Harbour will take either currency, but you will get better prices negotiating in EC dollars.
Cash vs. Card: What to Expect in Grenada
Grenada has decent card acceptance by Caribbean standards, especially in tourist areas. The Spiceland Mall and Grand Anse corridor (hotels, restaurants, and shops between the mall and the beach) take Visa and Mastercard widely. In St. George's, restaurants along the Carenage waterfront and shops on Melville Street accept cards. The IGA and Food Fair supermarkets take cards.
Cash is essential for local buses (EC$2.50 anywhere on the main island, EC$6 to Grand Anse from the airport), water taxis (EC$10 across the Carenage), the Saturday market at Market Square in St. George's, roadside fruit vendors, and beach vendors. Carriacou is more cash-reliant. Outside Hillsborough's main street, expect most businesses to be cash-only. Petite Martinique is entirely cash.
How to Get EC Dollars for Your Grenada Trip
Grenada uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged at EC$ 2.70 = $1. The Spice Isle has decent card acceptance by Caribbean standards: cards work at Spiceland Mall, the Grand Anse corridor (Sandals, True Blue Bay, Mount Cinnamon), Carenage waterfront restaurants in St. George's, and IGA/Food Fair supermarkets. Cash is essential for local buses (EC$2.50 standard fare), water taxis across the Carenage (EC$10), the Saturday market in St. George's, beach vendors at Grand Anse and Magazine, and any travel to Carriacou or Petite Martinique. Two cheap routes: bring USD or pre-order EC dollars, and pull from a Republic Bank or FirstCaribbean ATM after landing.
Bring USD or order EC dollars before you fly
The simple Grenada setup: pack USD in clean small bills and let the 2.70 peg do the work. If you want EC dollars specifically, a currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange may stock XCD on request. Most US home banks generally do not stock EC dollars. Grenada does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for most Grenada trips: pack USD for resort spending, use a Wise card for resort and restaurant card payments, and pull EC dollars from Republic Bank or FirstCaribbean ATMs for buses, water taxis, and Carriacou travel.
Withdraw from a Grenadian bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of EC dollars is one of the major bank ATMs. Republic Bank Grenada, Grenada Co-operative Bank, and CIBC FirstCaribbean all give the actual interbank rate (effectively the EC$-USD peg) with no markup. Most don't add their own operator fee for foreign cards. Withdrawal limits run roughly EC$500–1,000 per transaction. ATMs cluster around St. George's (Carenage, Melville Street), the Grand Anse corridor, Spiceland Mall, and at GND (Maurice Bishop International) airport arrivals. Carriacou has limited ATM access in Hillsborough; Petite Martinique has none. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a Republic Bank withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & resort exchange windows
Three traps to walk past in Grenada. The currency-exchange counters in arrivals at GND (Maurice Bishop International) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–10% off the EC$-USD peg. The exchange windows inside Grand Anse resort lobbies bake the markup into the rate. And the standalone independent ATMs at smaller hotel arcades layer DCC pitches and operator fees on top. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Republic Bank, Grenada Co-op, or FirstCaribbean; decline DCC; and remember USD works at the 2.70 peg at most resorts. Grenada does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-XCD timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Grenada
ATMs are available in St. George's, Grand Anse, Grenville, and Hillsborough (Carriacou). They dispense EC dollars. Most accept Visa and Mastercard with withdrawal limits of EC$1,000-2,000 per transaction (about $370-740 USD).
Republic Bank (Grenada)
The largest bank on the island with ATMs on the Carenage in St. George's, at Grand Anse (near Spiceland Mall), in Grenville, and in Hillsborough on Carriacou. Reliable with foreign Visa and Mastercard. The Grand Anse machine is the most convenient for beach-area visitors.
Top PickGrenada Co-operative Bank
Locally owned with ATMs on Church Street in St. George's and at their Grand Anse branch. Accepts Visa. Smaller network than Republic Bank, but the machines are centrally located and well-maintained. Friendly staff at branches if you need assistance.
Recommended
CIBC FirstCaribbean
International bank with an ATM on Church Street in St. George's. Part of the Canadian CIBC group, so their systems handle foreign cards smoothly. Limited to one main location, but a reliable backup if Republic Bank machines are busy or out of service.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Some card terminals at resort hotels and upscale restaurants may offer to charge you in USD instead of EC dollars. Always choose XCD (EC dollars) at the payment prompt. The DCC markup is 3-6% on top of an already rounded exchange rate. Since the EC$/USD peg is fixed, there is no exchange rate risk in choosing EC dollars. Your bank will convert at close to the official EC$2.70 rate, which is better than any DCC offer.
ATMs to Avoid in Grenada
Grenada's ATM network is small and generally reliable, but a few machines cause more headaches than others.
Maurice Bishop Airport ATM
The ATM at Maurice Bishop International (GND) can run out of cash when multiple flights arrive, especially during cruise ship season. If it works, it is fine to use. But do not count on it. Have some USD cash as backup for the taxi to Grand Anse (about EC$35-40 or $15 USD) in case the machine is empty.
CautionCruise Ship Terminal ATMs
The Esplanade Mall near the cruise port has ATMs that see heavy use on ship days and can run dry or have long queues. Walk five minutes to the Carenage for Republic Bank's ATM, which is less crowded and more reliable.
AvoidPaying by Card in Grenada
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, resorts, dive operators, car rental agencies, and restaurants in the Grand Anse and St. George's tourist areas. American Express is accepted at a handful of upscale resorts (Sandals, Royalton) but is unreliable elsewhere. Discover is not accepted in Grenada.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Tap-to-pay works at some newer terminals in resort restaurants and at Spiceland Mall. Republic Bank's merchant terminals are increasingly NFC-capable. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at these locations. Outside the main tourist corridor, chip-and-PIN is standard and contactless is unavailable. Do not rely on tap-to-pay as your only method.
Where Cards May Not Work
Local buses (the colorful minivans) are cash-only. EC$2.50 gets you anywhere on the main routes. Market Square in St. George's on Saturday mornings, roadside spice vendors along the cross-island road to Grenville, and beach hair-braiders at Grand Anse are all cash. Carriacou has limited card acceptance even at restaurants. Petite Martinique is entirely cash-based.
Tipping in Grenada
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, check your bill for a 10% service charge (common at hotels and Carenage waterfront spots). If service is not included, leave 10-15%. At casual places like Roger's Barefoot Beach Bar at Grand Anse, EC$5-10 is appreciated. For dive boat crews and snorkel trip guides, EC$20-30 per person is standard. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up from EC$35 to EC$40 is a nice gesture. At all-inclusive resorts, check their tipping policy since some prohibit it. Tip in EC dollars or USD.
St. George's, Grand Anse & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
Grand Anse is the main tourist hub and has the best ATM and card access. The Spiceland Mall has banks, ATMs, a supermarket, and shops all taking cards. St. George's is compact and walkable. Republic Bank and Grenada Co-operative Bank ATMs are within a few minutes' walk along the Carenage and Church Street.
Carriacou is reached by the Osprey ferry (EC$160 round trip, about $60 USD) or a short flight. ATM access is limited to one Republic Bank machine in Hillsborough, which can run out of cash on weekends. Bring enough EC dollars and some USD as backup for a Carriacou trip. Restaurants like Bogles Round House and Lazy Turtle accept cards, but smaller guest houses may not.
Spice market shopping is best done with EC$ cash. Nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, and cocoa at the market near Sendall Tunnel cost EC$10-30 per bag. Vendors expect cash and will negotiate better prices in EC dollars than USD. Chocolate tours at the Grenada Chocolate Company in Hermitage or Belmont Estate cost EC$30-50 and most accept cards, though carrying EC$ cash ensures no hiccups.
Money Safety in Grenada
Staying Safe
Grenada is one of the safest Caribbean islands, and violent crime targeting tourists is rare. Normal precautions apply: do not leave valuables unattended on the beach at Grand Anse, and be aware of your surroundings when using ATMs in St. George's. The Carenage area is well-lit and busy during the day but quieter at night.
Use ATMs at bank branches during business hours when possible. The Republic Bank machine at Grand Anse near Spiceland Mall is in a well-trafficked area. Keep cash distributed between your hotel safe and what you carry. On Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the atmosphere is very relaxed, but losing cash there means a ferry ride back to Grenada to find an ATM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use US dollars in Grenada?
Yes. USD is widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and most tourist-facing businesses. You will receive change in EC dollars. The informal rate is usually EC$2.65-2.67 per $1 USD (the official fixed rate is EC$2.70). For small purchases at local shops, markets, and buses, EC dollars are preferred.
What is the exchange rate for EC dollars?
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of EC$2.70 per $1 USD. In practice, you will get EC$2.65-2.67 when exchanging cash at banks or cambios. This peg has been stable since 1976, so there is no currency risk or need to time your exchange.
Are there ATMs on Carriacou?
Yes, but options are very limited. There is a Republic Bank ATM in Hillsborough, Carriacou's main town. It can run out of cash on busy weekends or when the ferry brings a wave of visitors. Withdraw enough EC dollars in St. George's before taking the Osprey ferry to Carriacou, and carry USD as backup.
Do restaurants at Grand Anse Beach accept credit cards?
Most hotels and resort restaurants along Grand Anse accept Visa and Mastercard. The Spiceland Mall food court and nearby restaurants have card machines. However, beach vendors, smaller local restaurants along the road, and water sports operators on the sand often prefer or require cash.
How much should I tip in Grenada?
At restaurants, check if a 10% service charge is included on the bill (common at hotels and upscale spots). If not, leave 10-15%. Tip in EC dollars or USD. For taxi drivers, tips are not expected but rounding up is appreciated. Tip dive boat crews and snorkel guides EC$20-30 per person.
Should I exchange money before arriving in Grenada?
There is no need to get EC dollars before your trip. USD is accepted everywhere tourists go, and ATMs at Maurice Bishop International Airport dispense EC dollars. The fixed exchange rate means you won't lose much by exchanging on arrival. Bring clean USD bills and withdraw EC dollars as needed from ATMs.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend EC dollars like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise card (no-FX-fee) | Best rate (mid-market, near EC$2.70) | ★★★★★ | Card payments and ATM withdrawals |
| Bank ATM (EC$ withdrawal) | Good (EC$2.70 rate) | ★★★★☆ | Getting EC$ cash for buses, markets, tips |
| USD cash (direct use) | OK (lose ~2% on informal rate) | ★★★★★ | Hotels, restaurants, tours |
| Airport / hotel exchange | Poor (EC$2.50-2.60 rate) | ★★☆☆☆ | Emergency small amounts only |
Grenada Quick Facts
| Currency | Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD / EC$) |
| Fixed Rate | EC$2.70 = $1 USD (pegged since 1976) |
| USD Accepted? | Yes, widely. Change given in EC$ |
| Best ATMs | Republic Bank, Grenada Co-operative Bank, CIBC FirstCaribbean |
| ATM Locations | St. George's, Grand Anse, Grenville, Hillsborough (Carriacou) |
| Card Acceptance | Good at hotels/restaurants in tourist areas. Cash needed for buses, markets |
| Tipping | 10-15% if no service charge. Check your bill first |
| Best Strategy | Use Wise card or ATMs for EC$. Carry USD as universal backup |