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We will be arriving in St. Thomas Monday and I have a few "money" questions. We have been advised to bring Travelers Checks but I have had problems in other places cashing them. Are they accepted everywhere or in most places on the island. Also are they accepted by Taxi drivers? We will be going to St. John for a day, can anyone tell me how much we can expect to pay for an Island tour (2 - 4 hours)by taxi? I visited the Island in 1986 for a day while in the Navy, looking at Goggle Earth, it appears as though things have changed a little. Your message board is great, it has answered many of our questions. Have a nice day!
Dave
Dave:
Tough question regarding traveler's checks (TCs).....as not many people use them anymore. ATMs are everywhere.
Doubtful that taxi's will accept TCs.
Credit cards are accepted almost anywhere here.
Check this message board out for taxi rates....I believe they have tour rates as well.
F.I.
Don't bring Travelers Checks. The reason many merchants don't like them is because their banks treat them like personal checks and can take up to a week to clear them. Bring some cash and plastic. With all the ATMs around you can recharge your wallet often. I've found that Scotia Bank does not charge a fee when I use their ATM, only my bank does.
Cash will get you a lot further in the VI than anything else.
MC and VISA are helpful too. Merchants don't like CC though because of the fees. And, AMX and Discover can actually get you frowned upon - if the merchant accepts it.
I've been in a market when the power went out (not uncommon, and doesn't have to do with weather) the generators kick in immediately, but the Credit card systems take longer to re-boot.
Cash will keep you moving.
I don't think Taxis take anything BUT cash - and their rates are crazy and regulated by the government.
Scotia Bank in Red Hook has always been real good about cashing my AMEX travellers checks. Passport and driver's license required for ID.
ShesinSTX is right on. From a merchants standpoint, we too, would rather not accept AMEX or Discover cards due to their high rates and fees and their slow processing time.
Thank you very much for the info, can't wait to get down there and away from the below zero temperatures for a while. We will be staying a week and want to see as much as possible and just relax in the sun for awhile. The people sending us are insisting on travelers checks but I have had a hard time getting banks to cash them - apparently they are easy to counterfeit. I have not seen much on the message board concerning the Botanical Gardens - are they Worth a visit? Thanks again
Dave - From Maine
We stumbled upon it last June. We had an enjoyable several hours walking the gardens and property. If you can find it, it is a nice stop.
