Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Saint Kitts and Nevis take card payments at check-in
On Saint Kitts, my hostel near Basseterre accepted card without fuss, but when I went over to Nevis, the guesthouse asked for cash. Republic Bank ATMs worked fine with my Visa, but there weren’t many around Charlestown. The islands aren’t as card-heavy as bigger Caribbean destinations. If you want to avoid last-minute ATM runs, bring USD or Eastern Caribbean dollars, because smaller hostels lean on cash.
Assumed I'd swipe on arrival-turned out half of the places I stayed said “cash preferred.” One hostel let me pay by card (minus a small fee), the other told me to run to an ATM before check-in. Lesson learned: bring enough to cover at least days one and two. XCD 200-300 in your pocket? Perfect safety net.
Booked a place on St. Kitts and they told me ahead that cards were accepted but terminal is “spotty.” Sure enough, when I arrived they asked for cash since it wasn’t working. I had XCD 150 ready, so it wasn’t a hassle. If you’re traveling on a budget, always ask before arriving and keep some cash handy in case the terminal’s offline or late-night.
Stayed at a hostel in Basseterre and yep-they took card at check-in, but added a 3% fee for the transaction. Another small guesthouse said their terminal sometimes goes offline, so I paid cash. Hostels in tourist areas are mostly card-friendly, but the devices can glitch. My go-to move now is carrying at least XCD 200 in cash just in case.