Need cash when I land, best place in Saint Lucia? Airport or places in the city?
I landed at Hewanorra and skipped the exchange desk. Instead, I used a Bank of Saint Lucia ATM outside arrivals, which worked fine with my Visa card. In Castries and Rodney Bay, ATMs from First Caribbean and Republic Bank were everywhere too. Most hotels and restaurants accept cards, but I found local buses, beach vendors, and rum shacks all preferred cash in XCD. I withdrew EC$300 at the airport, which lasted a couple of days. Counters are overpriced, so ATMs are a better deal.
At Hewanorra Airport, you’ll see exchange counters, but the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) is tied to the U.S. dollar, so the rates aren’t the best there. I usually just withdraw from an ATM instead. First National Bank and Bank of Saint Lucia ATMs are reliable and available in Vieux Fort and Castries. Many tourist places accept USD, but you’ll get change in XCD. For budget travel, I withdraw about EC$200 at the airport for taxis and food, then top up in town where it’s safer and cheaper.
I got hit with “tourist tax” at the airport kiosk when exchanging enough cash for a ride-ouch. Then I found a Scotiabank ATM in Gros Islet that gave me a far better rate for my EUR. Still paid a $5 fee, so it’s not perfect-but so much better than that airport booth gouge. Bottom line: bring enough cash from home to cover your ride, then hit a bank ATM in town for everything else.
Got off the plane and exchanged EUR 100 at the airport-felt silly later when I saw the rates. Switched to the RBC ATM in Rodney Bay the next morning, withdrew XCD 1,000 at a flat USD 5 fee. Rate was almost mid-market. Airports are convenient, but city banks like Scotiabank, RBC, or First National give better returns. My trick: exchange just enough at the airport to reach a bank ATM calmly after landing.
Arrived midday and grabbed a tiny amount at the airport counter so I could tip and pay for a bus. Rates were rough. Later, I took a taxi to Castries and used the First National Bank ATM downtown-much better exchange and small fixed fee. Took out enough for a few days, kept rates clean. I’d say minimal airport exchange for survival, then handle the rest in the city.