Traveler's Checks

[ToddA]

should I plan on using local currency or do they accept USD as ell?

[TomFrederick]

>>> "should I plan on using local currency or do they accept USD"
---- U.S. $$$ used almost everywhere. At resorts usually all prices in U.S. $$.
Cab and bus fares, casino bets, tours, most restaurants, .... all in U.S. $$.
Now gas stations, fast food, supermarkets, .... will have prices in local currency but will convert. For bagel and donut shops bring small bills and silver so you will have correct $$ amount. If not you may get their currency if getting change back.

[AndyM]

I haven't used travelers checks in decades. We have a CC with no international transaction fees so we use that for restaurants and such. We also carry a small amount of cash (USD) for incidentals.

If we get florins as part of our change, we leave it for (part of) the housekeeping/room tip.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by AndyM

I haven't used travelers checks in decades. We have a CC with no international transaction fees so we use that for restaurants and such. We also carry a small amount of cash (USD) for incidentals.

If we get florins as part of our change, we leave it for (part of) the housekeeping/room tip.

paying with credit card, travelers checks, or what?

[AndyM]

It really makes life easier to have US currency so widely accepted in Aruba. Most places display prices in both currencies. When they don't, it simple enough to do a quick mental calculation to approximate the conversion.

[Andrea J.]

remember to cash those traveler's checks!!
while it is nice to tuck one or 2 into a corner of the wallet or in a "vacation savings envelope"................remember, for every uncashed AMEX check you have, AMEX is collecting interest on your money.

cash the checks and put the money to work for you.

[lemondrops1]

I also had this issue, front desk would only cash $100.00, said not enough funds, but their website said they were happy to cash them. This time bringing cash, makes life easier, and we dont have a problem with the in room safes!

[rustyc]

On one of the forums, I read to use only travelers checks or cash at restaurants?? OK to use at rental car companies, grocery stores, hotels, etc. You have sight of your card at these places whereas you don't at restaurants.

[Arubalisa]

Are there isolated incidents of fraud? Yes.

In 19 trips to Aruba we have only used credit cards in restaurants and have never had a problem.

[gaby]

I used US cash for everything. with the exception of Lings, I always received change back in US currency, some places even US coins. Lings you had to stand in line at another counter to cash it in. yet at some tiny little neighborhood grocery stores, they gave me back US dollars right then and there. go figure...

besides, you can always cash anything in at the casinos.....