Travelling soon - any advice if hostels accept cards in Antigua and Barbuda or I have to give them cash
Two of the hostels I visited accepted Visa Debit, but the third refused because their machine was “under maintenance.” They quoted me a cash discount. Payment flexibility in Antigua & Barbuda’s hostel scene varies greatly. Bring a Visa or Mastercard for emergencies but plan to pay most of your stay in EC dollars cash. Use reliable bank ATMs - Scotiabank and RBC - to top up, and you won't get stuck at check-in.
On check-in at both properties I stayed in, they initially offered card payments but later insisted on cash due to “technical issues.” I used my Revolut Visa, but it only worked once out of three times. Hostels here often advertise card options but operate on a cash basis. My advice? Arrive with EC$200 for the first night or two. I made a small ATM run right after landing and avoided any last-minute headaches.
My stay in St. John’s Airbnb suite allowed payment via Mastercard, but local hostels usually don’t. They list “card accepted,” but machines frequently malfunction. In Antigua & Barbuda, many budget lodgings actually prefer cash payments. I always reconfirmed over WhatsApp before arrival. When a terminal didn’t work, I used the CIBC ATM nearby to withdraw breakfast money and deposit. Bringing a backup card and enough cash gives great peace of mind on arrival day.
I booked three hostels - two accepted Visa but one insisted on EC cash because their card reader was offline. Hostel card acceptance in Antigua & Barbuda is inconsistent; don’t rely on chip and PIN at check-in. One hostel even added an extra 5% charge for card use. To plan smart, carry enough EC$ for at least three nights. I'd also withdraw in bulk from bank ATMs rather than dealing with small kiosks near hostels.