No issues elsewhere, but in Sint Maarten, both ATMs and stores keep rejecting my card. Anyone know if this is common? Any banks that actually work?
Bring USD with you and plan to use Republic Bank ATMs for Visa withdrawals if you need extra. Mastercard is unreliable on this side of the island. Many bars and tour companies in Simpson Bay are card-friendly, but street vendors and smaller shops won’t take cards. USD is the best backup.
I had my Revolut Mastercard fail multiple times at Windward Islands Bank in Philipsburg. Tried Republic Bank as well - no luck. Most souvenir shops near the boardwalk only wanted USD cash anyway. It was frustrating, since my card worked everywhere else in the Caribbean. Glad I carried USD, or I’d have been stranded.
My Wise Visa worked fine at Republic Bank near Maho Beach, withdrawal limit $500. Also used Monzo Visa at a couple of restaurants around Simpson Bay with no problems. Staff at Seaview Beach Hotel recommended sticking to Republic Bank ATMs - they’re more consistent. US dollars are widely accepted, so you can bring cash from home and avoid worrying too much.
In Dutch Sint Maarten, you’ll mostly find Republic Bank and Windward Islands Bank ATMs. In Philipsburg, the Republic Bank ATM near Front Street usually works with foreign Visa cards. Mastercard is less reliable. Stores in Maho Beach and Simpson Bay often take cards, but many small shops in Philipsburg and Cole Bay are cash-only. US dollars and guilders are both accepted, but most prices are in USD.