Okay, so today I’m gonna talk about figuring out the currency situation for Guadeloupe. It all started when I was planning a trip – yeah, just a regular vacation. I needed to know how much cash to bring and what the deal was with using my cards there.
First thing I did? Google, of course! I typed in “Guadeloupe currency” and bam, right away I found out Guadeloupe uses the Euro (€). That’s a relief! I’ve dealt with Euros before, so no need to exchange a bunch of cash into some totally foreign currency before I leave.
Next up, I started digging a little deeper. I wanted to know if credit cards are widely accepted. I remember a trip I took years ago where I was stuck trying to find an ATM every other day. Not fun! So, back to Google I went, searching for stuff like “credit cards in Guadeloupe” and “using debit cards Guadeloupe.”
What I found out was pretty good. Most larger businesses – hotels, rental car places, bigger restaurants, and shops – take credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard.
- But, I also read that it’s a good idea to have some cash on hand.
- Smaller places, like little cafes or markets, might only take Euros.
So, here’s what I decided to do: I went to my bank a week before my trip and took out a few hundred Euros. Just enough to cover the small stuff or any emergencies.
While I was there, I also called my bank and credit card companies to let them know I was traveling to Guadeloupe. Didn’t want them freezing my cards because of “suspicious activity” – been there, done that, got the t-shirt!
And guess what? It actually came in handy! I grabbed some amazing street food from a local vendor one day, and they only took cash. So, I was glad I had those Euros with me!
A Few Tips I Learned Along the Way
- Always have some cash: Even though cards are widely accepted, it’s good to have Euros for smaller places.
- Tell your bank you’re traveling: Avoid the hassle of having your cards blocked.
- Check for foreign transaction fees: Some cards charge fees for using them abroad. I made sure to use my card that doesn’t have those fees.
Overall, dealing with the currency in Guadeloupe was pretty straightforward since they use the Euro. A little planning ahead made the whole trip way smoother! Hope this helps you out if you’re planning a trip there too!
