Flag of Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and Nevis

Money & currency

Money in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Updated 2026-10-05

Money & Currency
$

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Currency code: XCD

Practical Money Tips

Two dollars, one sign

Eastern Caribbean and US dollars are both written with a dollar sign, and both are in daily use. Hotels, tours and many visitor businesses quote in US dollars, while shops, minibuses and local menus usually price in EC dollars. Ask which of the two a price means before paying; change usually comes back in EC dollars, even when the bill was paid in US dollars.

Cash machines in Basseterre, Frigate Bay and Charlestown

Cash machines are found in Basseterre, around Frigate Bay and in Charlestown on Nevis, and they pay out Eastern Caribbean dollars. The country villages and the beaches have few, so cash for a day out is drawn in town first.

Cards at hotels, restaurants and larger shops

Hotels, restaurants and the larger shops take cards, and contactless payment works at some of the same counters. The smaller and more local the place, the more likely it expects cash.

Cash for the minibus, the taxi and the rum shop

The minibuses and taxis are usually paid in cash; taxis have no meters, so the price is agreed with the driver before setting off. Rum shops and roadside food stalls, market stalls and beach vendors take cash too. Small notes in either dollar make these payments easy.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

What currency does Saint Kitts and Nevis use?

The Eastern Caribbean dollar (code XCD, written EC$), which is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate. The US dollar is accepted beside it almost everywhere, so two currencies are in everyday use on both islands.

Will a foreign bank card work in Saint Kitts and Nevis?

International Visa and Mastercard cards work in the cash machines and wherever cards are taken; American Express is accepted in fewer places. A card on any other network is less certain, so a second card or some US dollars in cash make a useful back-up.

Can I pay in euros, pounds or other currencies?

Rarely. Prices are set in Eastern Caribbean or US dollars, and other currencies are not taken for payment in most places. Euros and other major currencies can be changed at banks in Basseterre, but arriving with US dollars, or with a card that works in the cash machines, is simpler.

Are there cash machines on Nevis?

Yes, in Charlestown, though Nevis has fewer machines than Saint Kitts. Draw enough cash in town before a day round the island or at Pinney's Beach, where the beach bars and roadside stalls take cash, and carry some across when visiting Nevis for the day from Saint Kitts.

Is tipping expected in Saint Kitts and Nevis?

Some restaurants, those at the resorts especially, add a service charge to the bill, so check it before tipping; where none is added, a tip is customary. Guides on a hike or an island tour are usually tipped as well, in cash and in either dollar.

Can Eastern Caribbean dollars be used on other islands?

Yes. The same currency is used in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and in Anguilla and Montserrat, so leftover notes travel on with an island-hopper. Elsewhere the EC dollar is hard to change, so spend what is left or change it back before leaving.

Entry rules, visa types and practical notes live on the Saint Kitts and Nevis overview.

Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.