Grenadines Charter "Walking Around Money" Budget?

[Jester33]

Hello all, got a good question from one of my crewmates today, how much money should we plan for food and incidentals (drinking at the bars) per day for an 8 night trip in the Grenadines?

Literally just the daily spends - not moorings, boat boy stuff, or other "special activities".

edit* - and how spotty is the acceptance of American Express cards? Should we plan to get ECD out of ATMs down there, bring US greenbacks, or bring a different credit card...or all three?

Thanks ahead of time.
-Jester

[Flagman101]

Get EC ar the ATM at the airport. Get 300 EC.
There are other ATMs. Bequia, union.
Use CC where they accept them

[TriggerHappy]

Originally Posted by Flagman101

Get EC ar the ATM at the airport. Get 300 EC.
There are other ATMs. Bequia, union.
Use CC where they accept them

Hey Flagman - what about TBC BBQ like Romeo? do they accept CC? Some of the smaller bars in Mayreau - I was thinking that these places would't accept CCs? true? Thanks

[Flagman101]

Romeo. Cash only.
Last bar. Cash only
Mooring balls. Cash only
Use EC. They charge too much for exchange. And never have change

[edmundsteele]

The last time we were in Bequia in June 2016, the local ATMs would only accept certain flavors of card. Although our card was displayed as one of those “accepted” (i.e. Wells Fargo “Plus” network) the machine would not cough up any cash. I had to ride the ferry to St. Vincent to use the ATM at Scotia Bank, Kingstown. Depending upon your bank / ATM flavor, this might be the ONLY source of cash in the islands. BTW, Scotia Bank is a good bet throughout the Caribbean.

[hellosailor]

Jester-
If you are planning to use any credit card overseas, call the card company in advance. Some will reject any "unusual activity" like a surprise ATM withdrawal 2000 miles from home. Some use 4-digit pins while the ATM's may require 6-digit, you need to check with someone who knows the area, and if necessary give the card company time to make/issue changes if needed.
And check your credit card terms. Some charge for overseas ATMs, others do not. Some settle up charges at the daily currency rate, others settle out all the currency only once, at the end of your billing cycle. Finding this all out ahead of time, and taking a couple of options with you so you can play the best one, can be worthwhile.

[DMCantor]

We always get EC$1000 at a time, the max that most ATMs will allow. It doesn't really last that long if you are spending and time in bars/restaurants or paying for moorings. "EC come, EC go."

The amount you spend in a week depends entirely on how much you eat/drink out. Beers are EC5 or 6, lunches are EC25 and up, dinners EC40 and up. If you stay on the boat, then its much cheaper.

Best to buy fruits and veggies ashore, you'll pay quite a bit more for the convenience of having someone deliver them to your boat.

On the other hand, we always splurge for delivery of pain-au-chocolat on the French islands. A delicious breakfast while still in your jammies.

[Jester33]

Originally Posted by DMCantor

We always get EC$1000 at a time, the max that most ATMs will allow. It doesn't really last that long if you are spending and time in bars/restaurants or paying for moorings. "EC come, EC go."

The amount you spend in a week depends entirely on how much you eat/drink out. Beers are EC5 or 6, lunches are EC25 and up, dinners EC40 and up. If you stay on the boat, then its much cheaper.

Best to buy fruits and veggies ashore, you'll pay quite a bit more for the convenience of having someone deliver them to your boat.

On the other hand, we always splurge for delivery of pain-au-chocolat on the French islands. A delicious breakfast while still in your jammies.

Thank You! This is exactly the type of info I was looking for! Now I suppose I just need to figure out where all the Scotia Bank atms are....

[ozdigennaro]

Yes. I reiterate. Tell your credit/debit cards (call customers support - even from that strange country that you are ind) that you will be in those countries. They are doing their job when the prohibit withdrawals.


I always use a debit card to withdraw the local currency. And usually the maximum amount (saves fees).


And these things work amazingly well.


Oh yes, always have two or even three cards to use. We know about redundancy.