Trinidad and Tobago
Cards, ATMs and cash in Trinidad and Tobago: what to expect
Cards work in hotels, malls, supermarkets and most Port of Spain restaurants, but maxi taxis, route taxis, doubles vendors and many small shops are cash only. Carry TT$300–500 in small notes, withdraw from bank-branded ATMs by day, and always choose to pay in TT dollars, not your home currency.
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GuideTrinidad and Tobago
Key facts
- Cards accepted
- Hotels, malls, supermarkets, chain restaurants, larger Tobago resorts
- Cash only
- Maxi taxis, route taxis, doubles and street food, small shops, some guesthouses
- Currency
- Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$); US dollars taken in tourist areas at poor rates
- Best ATMs
- Bank-branded machines (Republic, RBC, Scotiabank, First Citizens) at branches and malls
- Withdrawal limit
- Often TT$1,000–3,000 per transaction; your bank's own daily cap may be lower
- Card fees
- Foreign ATM fee plus 1–3% foreign transaction fee on most cards
- Safety
- Use ATMs inside malls or banks by day; avoid street machines at night
- Dynamic currency conversion
- Decline it; pay in TT$ so your bank does the conversion
Details
Trinidad and Tobago runs on a mix of card and cash. In Port of Spain, Chaguanas and the big Tobago resort strips, you can pay by card for hotels, supermarkets, pharmacies, mall shops and most mid-range and upmarket restaurants. Outside those pockets — village shops, market stalls, roadside food, taxis — assume cash.
The transport system is the clearest rule. Maxi taxis and route taxis are cash only, with fares of roughly TT$5–25, so you need small notes before you board. Ride-hailing and hotel taxis may take cards through the app, but many drivers prefer cash. Rental cars are usually booked online with a card, then a deposit is held on the card at pickup.
ATMs are common around Port of Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas and Scarborough, and inside malls and bank branches. Bank-branded machines are the safer and cheaper choice; independent machines in bars or small shops can carry higher fees and worse rates. Withdraw during daylight, cover the keypad, and take your card back before counting notes.
When a terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. That is dynamic currency conversion, and the rate is set by the merchant, not your bank. Pay in TT dollars and let your own bank convert. The same applies to card machines in Tobago hotels that quote in US dollars.
Carry a backup card kept separately, and a small amount of US dollars for emergencies — some hotels and tour operators quote in US dollars, though the rate is rarely good. Tell your bank you are travelling so a Trinidad transaction does not trip a fraud block.
| Situation | Card or cash | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel, resort, mall shop | Card | Visa and Mastercard widely taken; Amex less so |
| Supermarket, pharmacy, chain restaurant | Card | Chip and PIN; contactless common in cities |
| Maxi taxi, route taxi | Cash | TT$5–25; exact change helps |
| Doubles, street food, market | Cash | Small notes; vendors rarely have change for TT$100 |
| Small guesthouse, village shop | Cash | Ask before booking |
| Rental car deposit | Card | Hold on the card; check the amount |
| Air bridge and fast ferry | Card online, cash at some counters | Book ahead; see the country page |
Tips
Withdraw larger amounts less often to cut per-transaction fees, but not so much that you carry a thick roll of cash. Split money between a wallet, a bag and a hotel safe.
Keep TT$100–200 in small notes for the first taxi or snack after landing; airport exchange counters and ATMs are the easiest place to get it. Piarco has ATMs in the arrivals area, but confirm they are working before you rely on them.
If a machine declines, do not keep reinserting the card. Try another bank's ATM, and check your banking app for a fraud alert.
Cards are also useful for booking the air bridge or fast ferry online, where seats sell out around Carnival, Easter and August.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Are credit cards widely accepted in Trinidad and Tobago?
In hotels, malls, supermarkets and most city restaurants, yes. Maxi taxis, route taxis, doubles vendors, markets and many small shops are cash only, so carry TT$300–500 in small notes as backup.
Which ATMs have the lowest fees in Trinidad and Tobago?
Bank-branded machines at branches and malls — Republic, RBC, Scotiabank, First Citizens — usually cost less than independent machines in bars or shops. Your own bank's foreign ATM fee and any 1–3% foreign transaction fee still apply, so check before you travel.
Should I pay in local currency or my own?
Always pay in TT dollars. If a terminal offers to charge you in US dollars or your home currency, decline — that is dynamic currency conversion, and the merchant's rate is usually worse than your bank's.
How much cash should I carry day to day?
TT$200–500 in small notes covers taxis, street food and tips for a day or two. Withdraw more only when you need it, and use the hotel safe for the rest.
Can I use US dollars in Trinidad and Tobago?
Some hotels and tour operators accept US dollars, but at a poor rate. Use TT dollars for everyday spending and keep US dollars only as an emergency backup.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialCentral Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
- officialRepublic Bank Trinidad and Tobago
- officialRBC Royal Bank Trinidad and Tobago
- officialScotiabank Trinidad and Tobago
- officialFirst Citizens Bank
- secondaryWikivoyage – Trinidad and Tobago