Barbados local currency

[MMC Andy]

I know this sounds like worse "I've just been to Barbados" thread - but having just returned from a fantastic holiday there, I wanted to share a top tip.

Make sure you get only/mainly the local currency (Barbados $) rather than US $. You will currently get more for your money, and despite what Thomas Cook's told us, the bars and resturants are more than happy to take the local currency from tourists.

[anonymous-user]

MMC Andy said:

and despite what Thomas Cook's told us, the bars and resturants are more than happy to take the local currency from tourists.

Why on earth wouldn't the locals accept the local currency?

[neil-c]

I thought the local currency was directly linked to US dollars. 2 BDS for 1 USD. Certainly was that way the times I've been there. In my experience everywhere takes either currency no problems but change is usually given in BDS. Last time we were there was only in December - has something changed since?

[arfur]

The BDS$ is tied to the US$, 1.99ish : 1. Most stores honour this without problem, so you dont get ripped off. Smaller stores, bars and street sellers will rip you off from time to time.

Best to take BDS$ generally

[cannedheat]

Other than Sandy Lane, I think everywhere I visited converted USD to BD at 1:2. Sandy Lane did the exact rate (1.98?)

Never had any trouble using USD or a mix of USD & BD when paying. Infact the smaller independant shops seemed to prefer USD.

I can't remember the rates at the time when I was out there, but I'm sure that at the time of buying my currency from M&S, using the formula (£1 x USD rate) x 2 = BD gave a better rate than GBP/BD...