Money on Little Cayman?

[nwflyboy]

Staying at LCBR, of course we've got the full package, paid for via plastic. Other than that, what do folks generally do about cash on Little Cayman? I know there's not going to be a lot to spend (cash) money on, but I assume I'll need at least a little cash for sundries (tipping the boat crew, housekeeping, maybe to buy a post card, t-shirt or other last minute item).

Whenever I travel overseas I usually try to just milk an ATM for local currency upon arrival, but I don't expect that's an option on Little Cayman (right?). We will have about an hour layover on Grand Cayman inbound. Is there an ATM in the airport that would work for a quick withdrawal of Cayman Dollars? Or is US currency so widely accepted that nobody bothers? After a week on Little Cayman, we'll have a couple days on Grand Cayman (gotta do the obligatory Stingray City dive...) and I'm sure we can find an ATM there.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll be asking a few more noob questions in the next couple of days as I go through my checklist - you guys are a wonderful resource that's much appreciated.

 

[fisheater]

Cash?? Why would you need cash?

If you do, U.S. dollars will do just fine.

 

[Roombaguy]

as far as I know, there are not ATM's on LC. Have never been though. I do know there is a Cayman National Bank branch there, but dont think they have a machine.

As Nwflyboy said,just bring US Cash. US is accepted everywhere.

There is an ATM at the Grand Cayman airport. I know for a fact there is one in the departure check-in area. I don't remember ever seeing one in the departure lounge. In any case, its easier to just bring US cash with you.

M.

 

[carriemak]

At LCBR you can charge everything to your room and pay at the end of your stay. I am not sure about an ATM since once we are at the resort we typically don't leave. There isn't a reason to leave paradise!

 

[Becca_007]

We took cash with us for tips but other than that we used plastic.

 

[PhilC]

We brought cash for the boat crew tips and bar tips. US$ is gladly accepted. I think there was actually an ATM inside the mini-mart where we walked to pick up more sunscreen but I'm not 100% on it as it has been a year now since we went.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

There is a Cayman National Bank branch on Little Cayman. It has limited operating hours on Monday and Thursday 9a-2:30pm. It is closed the other days of the week. There is no ATM on Little Cayman.

US cash is accepted at retail establishment throughout all of the Cayman Islands. Change will likely be given in Cayman currency. CI$1=US$1.25 is the typical rate you will see at the retail level.

ATMs in Grand Cayman dispense your choice of CI$ or US$.

 

[zf2nt]

Take US cash. When the bank opens (every Thursday and at least some Mondays) go to the bank and change it for $CI. You will get back $82CI for each $100USD. Then spend your CI. If you pay in $US, you will always get change back in $CI at the rate of $1USD = $0.80CI. It may not sound like much of a difference, but it can add up over time.

You WILL spend some money at LCBR. Their bar prices are out of sight. But then, so are everybody's on Little Cayman.

Bruce

 

[mbs]

Bill everything to the room and put it on plastic... Plastic is free right? Seriously though, we tipped US dollars. Do I recall that there was actually an option to charge the dive crew tip thru the hotel bill?

 

[reefduffer]

We were at LCBR in November 2009.
The housekeeping and dining room service charges, and tax, were explicitly part of our package. I didn't see a need to add to that. A few gift shop items were done on CC. I did tip the bartender once, in US$, happily accepted.

The boat crew tips can be charged on CC, they even have a pre-printed form for that in the dive shop, that lets you either allocate it evenly across the crew that was on your boat for the days of your stay (they keep track), or specify some other allocation. But unless you're trying to keep it on the down-low, you don't need cash for crew tips.