Currency & Money in Dominica:
EC Dollar, USD, ATMs, Tipping

The local currency in Dominica is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), written as EC$. The currency is shared with seven other Eastern Caribbean nations and pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of US$1 = EC$2.70. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere on the island, and most travellers use a mix of USD and EC$ throughout their trip.

Quick reference

Local currency	Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Symbol	EC$
Exchange rate	US$1 = EC$2.70 (fixed)
US dollars accepted	Yes, everywhere
Credit cards accepted	Yes, at hotels, restaurants, dive shops, large stores
ATMs	In Roseau, Portsmouth, the airport
Tipping	10 to 15% standard for restaurant service and tour guides

The Eastern Caribbean Dollar

The XCD is issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in St Kitts and shared by Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Anguilla.

Notes are issued in EC$5, EC$10, EC$20, EC$50, EC$100. Coins are EC$1, plus 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 cent denominations.

US dollar acceptance

The US dollar is accepted almost universally in Dominica:

• Hotels, dive shops, tour operators typically quote and accept in USD directly.
• Restaurants and shops accept USD, sometimes with the conversion done at a slightly worse rate (e.g. EC$2.50 to the dollar instead of EC$2.70).
• Markets and street stalls accept USD, with change usually given in EC$.
• Taxis, minibuses, parking attendants accept either.

You can do most of a Dominica trip on USD if you want, but you'll get small amounts of EC$ in change throughout. Carrying both is normal.

Where to get cash

ATMs

The most common way to get cash. Found in:

• Roseau (multiple locations: Bay Front, Old Market area, near the cruise port).
• Portsmouth (a handful in the town centre).
• Douglas-Charles Airport on arrival.

ATMs dispense EC$, not USD. Most accept Visa, Mastercard, and major bank cards. Daily withdrawal limits are typically EC$1,000 to EC$2,000 (US$370 to $740).

Banks

The major commercial banks (Republic Bank, RBC, Scotiabank, National Bank of Dominica) have branches in Roseau and Portsmouth. Open Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 14:00 and Friday 8:00 to 16:00, closed weekends. Currency exchange is available at all of them.

Bureaux de change

A few independent bureaux operate in Roseau, primarily near the cruise port. Rates are competitive with the banks for major currencies.

Hotels

Most hotels will exchange small amounts of currency for guests, usually at a slightly worse rate than banks.

Credit cards

Widely accepted at:

• Hotels and accommodation.
• Restaurants (mid-range and up).
• Dive shops, tour operators, car rentals.
• Larger supermarkets and pharmacies.
• Some petrol stations.

Less consistently accepted at:

• Smaller restaurants, bakeries and cafes.
• Markets, craft stalls, and roadside vendors.
• Taxis and minibuses.
• Hot springs operators in Wotten Waven and Bamboozay.

Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted. American Express is patchier. Bring some cash for everything that doesn't take cards.

Tipping

Tipping conventions in Dominica:

• Restaurants: 10 to 15% if service isn't already included. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically; check the bill.
• Tour guides and drivers: 10 to 15% of the tour cost is appreciated for good service. Round to a useful USD figure (US$5 to $20 typical).
• Hotel housekeeping: US$1 to $3 per day, left in the room.
• Hotel porters: US$1 to $2 per bag.
• Taxi drivers: rounding up to a sensible figure is appreciated. Strict tipping isn't expected.
• Diving: 10 to 15% of the dive cost for the boat crew, divided among them.
• Market vendors: no tipping. Polite haggling on craft is normal but not aggressive.

How much cash to bring

A rough guide for a 7-day trip:

• Budget travellers: US$300 to $500 in cash, supplemented by ATM withdrawals.
• Mid-range travellers: US$500 to $800 in cash, with credit cards for accommodation and tours.
• Higher-end travellers: US$300 to $500 in cash for incidentals; everything else on cards.

Bring a mix of small and large USD bills (US$1, $5, $10, $20). Small bills are useful for tips and market stalls.

Common money tips

• Always confirm the exchange rate before paying in USD where it's not already quoted. Some places use EC$2.50 instead of EC$2.70.
• Carry small denominations. Breaking a US$100 bill at a market stall is awkward.
• ATMs sometimes go offline, especially on weekends and after major holidays. Withdraw enough cash to last a couple of days.
• Inform your bank that you're travelling to Dominica before you go, to avoid card freezes.
• Counterfeit currency is rare but possible. Check large notes by feel.