Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Grenada easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
From my trip to Grenada-Amex is basically useless. Tried it twice, no luck. Visa was king. Pulled cash at Scotiabank ATM in Grand Anse, used Mastercard at Umbrellas Beach Bar, all good. Hotels like Radisson accepted Visa without blinking, but none of the smaller guesthouses cared for Amex. Street food, buses, and rum shops? Strictly EC cash. Honestly, easiest setup is Visa or Mastercard for big payments and a pocket full of small bills for daily stuff. Grenada is chilled out, so don’t overthink it-just don’t bring Amex as your only card.
Don’t plan on relying on American Express in Grenada. I had mine declined at three different spots, including a mid-range hotel in St George’s. Visa and Mastercard are reliable both at ATMs and for payments, but be careful-some ATMs have withdrawal limits, so take out enough EC dollars at once. Restaurants, shops, and supermarkets in town are mostly fine with Visa and Mastercard, but local markets and food trucks only want cash. If Amex is your only card, you’re going to be frustrated. Bring Visa or Mastercard as your main, and use Amex only at resorts.
Loved my week in Grenada! My Mastercard debit worked flawlessly at the Republic Bank ATM near the Carenage in St George’s. I also used Visa at a couple of restaurants along Grand Anse Beach, no issues at all. Even the grocery store near True Blue Marina accepted Mastercard. Tried Amex at a souvenir shop-declined instantly. Not a problem though, because Visa and Mastercard covered everything I needed. For casual places like beach shacks and local buses, I just paid cash in EC dollars. Honestly, very straightforward once you stick to the main two cards.
In Grenada you’ll be fine with Visa or Mastercard. ATMs at Republic Bank, Scotiabank, and Grenada Co-operative Bank dispense EC dollars without issues for those cards. Amex? Not so much. I couldn’t find an ATM that worked with it. Some upscale hotels like Sandals and Spice Island Beach Resort might take Amex at the front desk, but restaurants in St George’s or beach bars on Grand Anse usually only want Visa or Mastercard. My advice-pack a Visa debit/credit, keep some EC cash handy for taxis and roadside stalls, and don’t expect Amex to carry you here.