You're standing at a small beach shack in Antigua, the smell of jerk chicken hitting you hard, and the bill comes to 54 dollars. You pull out a US twenty and two tens. The vendor looks at you, smiles, and says, "That's 54 EC, man. Not US."
Suddenly, you realize that "dollar" doesn't always mean the greenback.
If you're heading to the Eastern Caribbean—think St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Kitts, or Dominica—the USD to XCD conversion is going to be the heartbeat of your wallet. But here is the thing: it is one of the most stable, yet confusing, currency relationships in the world.
The 2.70 Rule That Never Changes
Most global currencies bounce around like a toddler on espresso. The Japanese Yen or the British Pound can change value while you're waiting for your luggage at the carousel.
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is different.
Since 1976, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has kept the XCD pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate. Honestly, it’s a bit of a relic in the modern financial world, but it’s incredibly helpful for travelers.
The official rate is 1 USD = 2.70 XCD.
It hasn't budged in decades. Not through hurricanes, not through global recessions, and not through the rise of crypto. If you see a price in "EC" (which is what locals call the XCD), you basically divide by three and add a little bit back to get the US price.
Why You Shouldn't Exchange Money at the Airport
Look, we've all done it. You land, you're tired, and that glowing "Currency Exchange" sign looks like a beacon of hope.
Don't do it.
Even though the official rate is 2.70, airports and hotels are notorious for giving you the "lazy traveler" rate. You might only get 2.60 or even 2.50. On a $500 exchange, you're basically throwing away dinner and drinks just for the convenience of not walking to a bank.
If you really need local cash, find a local ATM. Most machines in the region, like those from Republic Bank or the National Bank of Dominica, will give you the best possible conversion. Just keep in mind that the ATM will spit out XCD, not USD.
The "Street Rate" Reality
When you're actually on the islands, most businesses—from high-end boutiques in St. Barts (wait, they use Euros there, stay focused!) to the fruit stalls in St. Vincent—will accept US cash.
But there’s a catch.
Most shops use a "street rate" of 1 USD to 2.67 XCD. Why? Because when the shopkeeper takes your US bills to the bank, the bank charges them a small fee to swap it back to local currency. They’re just passing that cost onto you.
Also, don't expect US coins back. You'll pay in USD and get change in XCD. It’s a great way to start your coin collection, but a terrible way to keep your pockets light.
Navigating the Eight Islands
The XCD isn't just for one country. It’s a shared currency for the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). You can use the same colorful bills in:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Anguilla (British Territory)
- Montserrat (British Territory)
It’s kinda like the Euro, but with more palm trees. If you’re island-hopping between these eight spots, you don't need to worry about the USD to XCD conversion every time you clear customs. Your money is good across the board.
However, if you wander over to Barbados or Jamaica, stop. They have their own versions of the "dollar," and they do not exchange 1-to-1 with the XCD.
Credit Cards and the "Dynamic" Trap
You’re at a nice restaurant in Castries. The waiter brings the card machine. It asks: "Pay in USD or XCD?"
Your brain says USD because you understand it. Your brain is wrong.
This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). If you choose USD, the merchant's bank chooses the exchange rate, and it is almost always terrible. They might charge you a 5% markup for the "service" of seeing the price in your home currency.
👉 See also: Puerto Paraiso: Why This Cabo San Lucas Icon Still Beats the New Luxury Resorts
Always, always choose the local currency (XCD). Let your own bank back home handle the conversion. If you have a decent travel credit card—like a Chase Sapphire or a Capital One Venture—they usually use the mid-market rate and charge zero foreign transaction fees.
The "Crisp Bill" Obsession
This is a weird one that catches people off guard.
Banks in the Eastern Caribbean are incredibly picky about the physical condition of US bills. If you have a twenty-dollar bill with a tiny tear, a mark from a pen, or if it looks like it’s been through a washing machine three times, nobody will take it.
I’m serious. I’ve seen vendors reject a bill because the corner was slightly frayed.
Before you leave home, go to your local bank and ask for "clean, crisp" bills. It sounds like you’re being a diva, but it will save you a massive headache when you're trying to pay for a taxi in the middle of a rainstorm.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
Don't overthink the math. If you want to be a pro at managing your money in the islands, follow these specific steps:
Carry small USD bills. Keep a stack of $1, $5, and $10 bills. Many local vendors won't have change for a $50 or $100 bill, especially if you're paying for something small like a soda or a bus fare.
Download an offline converter. Data can be spotty when you're hiking a volcano. Get an app like XE Currency or easyCurrency that works without Wi-Fi so you can double-check the 2.70 math on the fly.
Use local ATMs for "Going Local." If you plan on eating at "hole-in-the-wall" spots or taking the local colorful buses (which you absolutely should), you need XCD. Withdraw about 200 EC at a time to keep the fees low.
Check your coins. XCD coins come in 5, 10, and 25 cents, plus a $1 coin. They look different than US coins. Spend them before you leave, because no bank back in the States is going to exchange Caribbean nickels for you.
The USD to XCD conversion is one of the few things in travel that is actually predictable. Use that to your advantage. Keep your bills crisp, pay in local currency on card machines, and remember that 2.70 is your magic number.
Once you get the hang of the math, you can stop worrying about the wallet and start worrying about which beach has the best sunset. Hint: it's usually the one where the jerk chicken is the cheapest.