Money, tipping and phones in the Exumas: cash, cards, VAT, ATMs, roaming and park signal

This page covers what to carry, how to tip, what VAT applies and what your phone will do. For trip budgets, see the Exumas trip cost guide and the rest of the trip planning section.

What currency do you use in the Exumas?

The Bahamian dollar, code BSD, has been the currency of The Bahamas since 1966 and is divided into 100 cents². It is pegged to the US dollar on a one-to-one basis, and the Central Bank’s stated objective is to keep the two at parity². The Central Bank’s own history says it established the currency on par with the United States dollar⁶. The Sand Dollar, a digital currency, was introduced as an alternative to the traditional Bahamian dollar².

Can you use US dollars in the Exumas?

Two sources give the answer, and they are worded differently:

• The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism says the Bahamian dollar is maintained at the same level as the US dollar and both are accepted interchangeably on all islands¹.
• The Moorings says the local currency is the Bahamian dollar, equal to the US dollar, and that US currency is accepted by all vendors⁸.

The Moorings also warns that mooring and docking fees and cruising taxes are not always payable by USD, debit or credit cards, and recommends bringing enough local currency to cover them⁸.

Is it better to have cash or card in the Exumas?

Bahamas.com says certain places take credit cards, but it advises carrying cash if you are exploring the Out Islands¹. The Moorings says Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most places⁸. The two sources stress different things, so carry cash for the places that do not take cards.

George Town on Great Exuma had one bank as of 2021, and its services included a police station, a gas station, a hotel, two grocery stores and three liquor stores within the town proper⁴.

Are there ATMs in the Exumas?

ATMs (PLUS and Cirrus) are in banks on Nassau and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and most major Out Islands¹. Services are extremely limited at the park³, so sort out your cash before you reach it.

Is there VAT in the Bahamas?

The Bahamas Department of Inland Revenue says two rates of VAT are applied: the standard rate of 10% and a zero rate of 0%⁷. Park and marine fees carry 10% Bahamas VAT, applied at checkout since 1 January 2022⁵. See the park fee guide for the rates before VAT.

How do you pay park and Customs fees?

Park mooring and anchoring fees are paid online through the Trust’s ParkPay app or site⁵. Pay after you have secured a mooring ball⁵. The ParkPay app is used solely to pay park fees and does not reserve or guarantee a mooring⁵. The small headquarters store at Warderick Wells also collects mooring and anchoring fees³.

Bahamas Customs says a cruising permit submission can be paid online, or in cash on arrival, arranged by the marina where you intend to dock⁹. A vessel cannot be approved by a Customs Officer until it is paid in full⁹. Customs aims to go paperless and cashless in the near future⁹. The cruising permit cost guide has the amounts.

How much do you tip in the Exumas?

Tipping is customary in The Bahamas, and the tourism site says to tip according to the quality of service you receive¹. Its guidance:

Who	Usual tip
Bellboys and porters	$1 per bag1
Most other servers (waiters, taxis)	15%1

Is a service charge a tip? Many establishments include the gratuity in the total, so check the bill before you add a tip¹.

Will your phone work in the Exumas?

BTC has roaming agreements with 128 companies around the world¹. To use BTC’s GSM roaming system, turn on your phone and wait for it to connect to the network¹. Roaming charges by country are listed on btcbahamas.com¹. The Moorings tells charterers to check with their service provider about cell coverage in the region⁸. Ask your home carrier about its Bahamas plan before you leave.

Signal and internet at Warderick Wells

Services at the park headquarters on Warderick Wells are extremely limited: no public restrooms, trash cans or wi-fi³. The paid internet service once available in the North Mooring Field has been discontinued³. For cell coverage with a BTC phone or another provider on an international plan, the best spot is the top of the headquarters stairs, facing Staniel Cay, where one to three bars may be available³.

The small headquarters store sells sodas, candy bars and ice and rents videos³. Plan your fuel, food and cash before you arrive: the Warderick Wells headquarters guide explains what is on site, and the George Town guide covers the main town on Great Exuma.

Fees and rates change. Confirm park fees on the Trust’s ParkPay page on the day you pay.