[shaynadam]

Can anyone that has been to Antigua to foster tell me how to switch my money into their money sytem? Do they accept travelers checks there?

[MicheleB]

Most places will take credit cards (visa, mastercard) in Antigua. The main grocery store takes them. There are also a couple banks in town you can exchange at. We mostly used our mastercard/debit card as the mastercard and it came right out of our checking account with the correct exchange rate. We had exchanged money at the airport - but we only stayed in Antigua a week at a time each time we went. Hope this helps!!

[CarlaATX]

I was wondering about the travellers checks as well...if you find out shay would you email me as Im not often here now

our agency did say dollars were fine there....

[MicheleB]

Yes, I forgot - most places in Antigua had no problem taking US dollars as long as they were "clean" bills - meaning - no marks or tears on the bills.

[saranbr]

DH's recommendation as a banker is to skip the travellers checks and just use VISA, etc. Honestly, I don't remember the entire explanation (and God knows, it was a long one in "bank lingo") but he refused to get any. The credit card worked great and we got a better exchange than you can locally. One other thing-- call your credit card company prior to leaving and tell them you will be in Guat and give them the days so they can flag your account. It is very common today (happened to us and others) for companies to freeze your account when they see foreign activity because of the problems today with ID theft. If you haven't pre-arranged with them you will have to contact them from down there and assure them that it is you!

[shaynadam]

Thank you for all your help. I will take some cash with me and then just use the debit card for major things.

[whereintheworld]

I know I am coming in a little late on this one...

I do NOT recommend travellers checks in Antigua. You have to take them to a bank to cash and you need your passport to do so. So, between the hassle of getting them and the hassle of cashing them, I don't think they are worth it.

I used my debit card (only at machines that are locked behind doors or at the Santo Domingo) while I was there for 4+ months. I used my VISA for purchases only a few times. I definitely second the recommendation of contacting your credit card companies before and after travel to let them know where you are...also, ask about their policies/cost for foreign transactions.

I took only 1 ATM card and 1 credit card with me. I left my drivers license at home in the States, and generally carried a photocopy of my passport, not the live thing, with me on a daily basis. No need to carry (and potentially lose) things you won't be using!

Go and have a terrific time!!!