Cash in Abaco?

[Waterdog]

Not use to using cash that often. Do I need to bring ready cash with me? Are there ATM available. I am sure you long timers are sick of this kind of question!!!

WDog

[abacomah]

Never get sick of answering Abaco questions.http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif Most places take credit cards. Usually VISA and MasterCard but I use my AmX card there too a good bit......especially for those big bills at the gas dockhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif

I usually take a chunk of cash and sometimes come back with some! It's really your preference. I'd have cash for the taxi ride plus tip, tips for the youngins baggin groceries, cash for any ferry rides, etc. I have four children with restuarant/bar working experience so I like to keep enough cash to tip in cash at those places......again whatever you prefer.

[CATNAPSzzz]

There are ATMs, credit cards work, Master/Visa everywhere and Amex in many places, but cash really works. Also I see that most credit cards companies are now charging a fee for "conversion" when you use the card overseas...cash is US dollar for Bahamian dollar and either works while you are there. Be aware that bringing home B dollars won't buy you a nickel in the States. Save enough for the departure tax and if you bring some home it will be for what will surely be your next trip.

[abacomah]

There are ATMs, credit cards work, Master/Visa everywhere and Amex in many places, but cash really works. Also I see that most credit cards companies are now charging a fee for "conversion" when you use the card overseas...cash is US dollar for Bahamian dollar and either works while you are there. Be aware that bringing home B dollars won't buy you a nickel in the States. Save enough for the departure tax and if you bring some home it will be for what will surely be your next trip.
Good point on the conversion fee. That's shown up recently on my cards.

The past two times I didn't have to pay departure tax at the airport. It was already in the airline ticket. Don't know if that's just Continental or across the board. Nice not to have to set that money aside.

Gotta take home some Bahamian dollars to decorate your home. We have some on the bathroom mirror. Something to get us going in the morning!

[PatW]

Not use to using cash that often. Do I need to bring ready cash with me? Are there ATM available. I am sure you long timers are sick of this kind of question!!!

WDog

Please remember that if you use the ATM machine for cash, you will get Bahamian money. So be sure you will spend all that Bahamian money because sometimes its hard to find anyone willing to give up their American dollars in exchange for your Bahamian dollars.

[chestnc]

On my last trip to Marsh harbour, I used my MCU(Municipal Credit Union) card at the First Caribbean Bank in town no problem. But you do have to keep in mind that the money will be Bahamian so you can calculate how much you will be leaving or jsut hold on to it for the next trip because we know there will be a next.If you are staying at a hotel and they have the cash to change it they usually do.

[trubahamian]

Cash is king........one of da humorous tings bout ya'll is ya'll so polite.We like cash and we like tu haggle ova a deal but noone haggles if a credit card appears.lol Do not be so quick to settle on da listed price man, mos' shops like to deal fa cash.

[rhkaplan]

Remember - Twice the money, half the clothes

[abacomah]

Cash is king........one of da humorous tings bout ya'll is ya'll so polite.We like cash and we like tu haggle ova a deal but noone haggles if a credit card appears.lol Do not be so quick to settle on da listed price man, mos' shops like to deal fa cash.trubahamian (http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/member.php?u=3549) Thanks for the tip on dealing with cash. If hagglin is in then I can oblidge especially when dealing with jewlry. As a tourist never wanted to insult anyone so it's nice to know the appropriate custom in the country you are in....Of course 99% of the time the country I'm in other than my home is ABACO in THE BAHAMAS http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif So if you have cash it's OK to bargain .... credit card ... forget it ... right?

So given this additional tidbit of inormation .... WaterDog take a LOT of cash .... how about four times the cash ... 1/4 the clothes.

[Longreach]

Yes we spend winters there on a sail boat and cash is 90% of what we transact in. Err on the side of less clothes, after all they do sell clothes there if you're short. We get alot of clothes free as we haul up our anchar there has been the odd T-shirt or towel. lol

[luvabaco]

All winter? Lucky you! That must take a lot of planning and discipline....especially on estimating and using the cash. I do well to budget out two weeks in paradise.

[JamesMichael]

Will the banks in the Bahamas exhange Bahamian dollars into US $? If I end up with a lot of Bahamian $ is that the best way to get US$?

[Longreach]

We've never had a problem exchanging the Bahamian $ anywhere (in the Bahamas that is), it' just not an issue.

[pelicanpete]

Will the banks in the Bahamas exhange Bahamian dollars into US $? If I end up with a lot of Bahamian $ is that the best way to get US$?Officially, no - due to strict exchange control regulaions. As with all things 'Bahamian' there may be exceptions if you smile nicey at the teller, but please don't count on it. IME.