Getting cash in the Caribbean?

[CharlesM]

Hello all

Since I will be kitting the boat in St. Martin, and they give 10% cash discount /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I need to get cash there. I do not wish to travel with +£5000 or more in US$ on my person so need to find another way of doing this.

<<<Snowleopard kindly suggested in another thread>>>
don't take cash, open a nationwide flexaccount with a debit card. you can use it anywhere (except statia - no cash machines). no commission and a good exchange rate. in st maarten you'll get N A guilders but they are pegged to the dollar.
<<<>>>

any other ideas?

Thanks
Charles

 

[cliffb]

Travellers Cheques??? Or open a US account with a US bank with branches in the UK and then transfer the money or, possibly a Bankers Draft to be drawn in cash. Not sure about whether this is do-able, but you could ask your bank.

 

[CharlesM]

hmm... I was thinking travellers cheques - do they still do them

I am afraid of the large fee's when it comes to travellers cheques.

US bank account sounds interesting. Dont know where though...

 

[snowleopard]

just a supplement to my earlier comment. a canny traveller will also open a high-interest internet banking account, using e.g. Egg and keep the bulk of funds there. use any internet cafe to transfer funds to the flexaccountas needed.

 

[Sea Devil]

Credit cards - cash machines - easiest way - if the machine does not work go with cc into the bank with your passport......

 

[kingcobra]

Most of the major banks now offer a debit card or credit card linked to your bank account, however if you withdraw cash from a foreign bank, you will probably be charged somewhere between 2% to 3%, depending on the banking arrangement, however you are saving 10%, so it looks like a winner.

Always best to make large purchases with some type of credit card, if possible, because you are covered by protection in the event of poor goods and you being unable to resolve the matter with the supplier.

Hope this is helpful

Kingcobra

 

[jerryat]

Hi Snowleopard, That's exactly what we did while we cruised. Good way of keeping tabs on yer expenditure too!