Trying to find out if British Virgin Islands widely accepts Amex cards in restaurants and shops and ATMs - any suggestions
Think of Amex in the BVIs as a niche card: fine for resorts, charter companies, and maybe upscale restaurants, but not for daily life. If you’re budgeting for villa rentals (~$400+ a night), Amex could work there. But casual dining, ferries, and excursions all lean heavily on Visa/Mastercard or cash. ATMs across the islands mostly cater to Visa. Carry plenty of small USD bills because taxis, food stalls, and local shops won’t swipe cards at all. Keep Amex as backup, but use Visa/Mastercard as your main travel card.
Traveling around the British Virgin Islands with Amex was annoying. I assumed touristy places would accept it, but I was turned down again and again. Even mid-range restaurants in Tortola and Jost Van Dyke wouldn’t take it, and ATMs refused the card completely. Luckily, I had my Visa debit card as backup, otherwise I’d have been stuck. For activities like snorkeling tours, renting jeeps, or buying groceries, Amex was useless. Save yourself the stress - don’t count on Amex in the BVIs unless you’re staying exclusively at high-end resorts.
I used my Amex successfully at a luxury resort in Virgin Gorda, but once I went to Road Town for local food and ferry tickets, it was a different story - most places said “cash only” or only accepted Visa. ATMs didn’t recognize my Amex either. I ended up withdrawing USD with my Mastercard at First Caribbean Bank. Daily things like rum punches at Cane Garden Bay or souvenirs from local stalls needed cash. Amex is okay for the big stuff, but I’d never rely on it alone in the BVIs.
In the British Virgin Islands, American Express is not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard. High-end resorts in Tortola and Virgin Gorda may take Amex, but many local restaurants, small shops, and charter companies prefer Visa/Mastercard. ATMs generally lean towards Visa networks. If you’re budgeting for island hopping boat trips ($50-$70 per person) or casual meals like roti and seafood ($15-$25), expect to use cash or a backup card. Keep some US dollars handy since the BVI uses USD, and cash is king for taxis, beach bars, and market purchases.