Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
38
Tips
Show Me the Cash (and Small Change)
When you change money, ask for some small bills or loose
change. It's always a good idea to carry around some cash and
change for small expenses like cab rides, public transporta-
tion, tips, or for when a restaurant or small shop doesn't take
plastic, which can happen if you're dining at a neighborhood
joint or buying from a small vendor. A supply of CI$80 or
US$100 in cash should see you through. Consider keeping the
change separate from your larger bills, so it's readily accessible
and you'll be less of a target for pickpockets. Remember that
U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere on the islands.
Identification Number (PIN) and your daily withdrawal limit befor e
you depart.
Note:
Many banks impose a fee every time you use a card
at another bank's ATM, and that fee can be higher for international
transactions (up to US$5 or mor e) than for domestic ones (wher e
they're rarely more than $2). I n addition, the bank fr om which y ou
withdraw cash may charge its o wn fee. For international withdrawal
fees, ask your bank.
Note:
Banks that are members of the
Global ATM Alliance
charge
no transaction fees for cash withdrawals at other Alliance member
ATMs; these include B ank of America, Scotiabank (Canada, Carib-
bean, and M exico), B arclays (U.K. and par ts of Africa), D eutsche
Bank (G ermany, P oland, S pain, and I taly), and BNP P
2
aribas
(France).
Although ATMs are hard to come b y on Cayman B rac and Little
Cayman, banks with A TMs ar e easy to find in G eorge Town, the
capital of G rand Cayman. You can usually r equest U.S. dollars or
Cayman dollars at most banks and ATMs.
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are another safe way to carry money. They also provide a
convenient record of all y our expenses, and they generally offer r ela-
tively good ex change rates. You can withdraw cash adv ances fr om
your credit cards at banks or A TMs, but high fees make cr edit card
cash advances a pricey way to get cash. K eep in mind that y ou'll pay
interest from the moment of y our withdrawal, ev en if y ou pay y our
monthly bills on time. Also, note that many banks no w assess a 1%
to 3% “ transaction fee ” on
all
charges y ou incur abr oad (whether
you're using the local currency or your native currency).
