ATMs and Banks in Grenada: Where to Get Cash and What It Costs

Getting cash in Grenada is straightforward in the south of the island and harder elsewhere. ATMs cluster in St George's, along the Grand Anse corridor and at the airport, with fewer in the country towns and only a handful on Carriacou. Almost all dispense Eastern Caribbean dollars, and most accept international Visa and Mastercard debit cards.

This guide covers the banks that operate in Grenada, where to find machines, what withdrawals typically cost, and the habits that stop a holiday being derailed by a blocked card or an empty machine on a Sunday.

The commercial banks

Republic Bank (Grenada). The largest bank by market share, especially since it took over Scotiabank's Grenada operations in 2021. It has branches across the island, including Grenville and Carriacou, and the largest network of its own ATMs, around a dozen locations.

CIBC Caribbean. The regional bank formerly branded FirstCaribbean, with a presence in St George's and the Grand Anse area and ATMs that serve visitors.

Grenada Co-operative Bank. A locally owned bank with roots in the co-operative movement and several branches around the island, popular with Grenadian customers.

ACB Grenada Bank. Majority-owned by Antigua Commercial Bank, trading as ACB Caribbean, with a small number of branches offering personal and business banking.

Credit unions and others. Grenada also has several credit unions serving members, and a development bank focused on loans rather than everyday banking. These are not useful to short-term visitors needing cash, but matter to residents.

Where to find ATMs

The densest cluster of machines is in the Grand Anse and Morne Rouge area, around the shopping centres, Spiceland Mall and along the main road, and in central St George's near the Carenage, the Esplanade and the main streets. Maurice Bishop International Airport has ATMs, which are useful for getting EC dollars as soon as you land; check that they are working when you arrive rather than relying on them for your departure.

Grenville, Gouyave, Sauteurs and some other towns have bank branches with ATMs, and a few machines are located at petrol stations and supermarkets. In rural areas, the nearest machine may be several miles away, so withdraw in town before heading into the countryside.

Branch and machine locations change over time, particularly as banks consolidate. Check the current list on your bank's app or ask your accommodation where the nearest working machine is.

Fees, limits and the currency question

Grenadian ATMs dispense EC dollars, usually in EC$20, EC$50 and EC$100 notes. A local fee may be charged for foreign cards, shown on screen before you confirm, and your own bank may add a foreign transaction fee and a percentage on top. The total can be noticeable on small withdrawals, so take out larger amounts less often.

Each machine has a per-transaction limit, and your home bank has a daily limit. If a withdrawal is declined, try a smaller amount before assuming the card is blocked. Some machines limit how many notes can be dispensed at once.

If the machine or a card terminal offers to convert the transaction into your home currency, decline it and choose to be charged in EC dollars. The conversion offered is set by the operator and typically costs more than your card issuer's rate. Cards from issuers that charge no foreign transaction fees are worth getting before a long stay.

Before you travel: a short checklist

Five minutes of preparation prevents most cash problems:

1. Tell your bank you are travelling, or check that your banking app allows travel without notice. Unusual foreign transactions can trigger fraud blocks.
2. Know your daily ATM limit and your card's foreign transaction and withdrawal fees.
3. Carry two cards from different banks or networks, kept in separate places, in case one is lost, retained or blocked.
4. Bring some US dollars in small, clean notes as a backup for the first day and for emergencies.
5. Save your bank's international contact details offline, so you can reach them if your card is swallowed by a machine.
6. Check that your card's chip and PIN work; magnetic-stripe-only cards may not be accepted.
7. If you will stay on Carriacou, plan to arrive with cash already in hand.
8. Photograph the front of each card and keep the images somewhere secure, so you have the card number and bank details if a card goes missing.
9. Check whether your bank belongs to a global ATM alliance or offers fee refunds abroad; a few minutes on its website can save a fee on every withdrawal during the trip.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique

On Carriacou, banking is concentrated in Hillsborough, where Republic Bank has a branch on Main Street and ATMs are available. There are very few machines anywhere else on the island, and they can run out of cash at weekends, around public holidays and during busy events such as the Carriacou Regatta Festival and Carnival.

Petite Martinique has no reliable cash machine, and its small shops mostly deal in cash. Bring enough EC dollars from Grenada or Hillsborough to cover your stay.

After Hurricane Beryl struck both islands in July 2024, banking services were disrupted for a period. Services have since resumed, but if you are travelling there, carry a cash reserve rather than depending entirely on machines, and check current arrangements locally.

Bank branches: hours and what they do

Hours. Branches generally open on weekdays from around 8am to the early or mid-afternoon, with some opening longer on Fridays. Most are closed at weekends and on public holidays. Hours vary by bank and branch.

Queues. Branches can be very busy, especially around paydays at the end of the month and on Fridays. Arrive early or go mid-week.

Exchange. Branches change US dollars and usually sterling, euros and Canadian dollars. Bring your passport.

Cash advances. If your debit card does not work, a credit card cash advance at a branch counter may be possible with a passport, though fees and interest are high.

Security. Bank branches have security guards and may ask you to remove hats and sunglasses; follow instructions.

For residents and long-stay visitors

If you are staying for months, working in Grenada or buying property, a local bank account soon pays for itself. It avoids foreign transaction and ATM fees on every withdrawal, lets you receive a local salary or rent, and makes paying utility bills, phone accounts and suppliers far easier through online banking.

Local debit cards work at the bank's own ATMs without foreign fees, and generally at other banks' machines in Grenada, though charges may apply. Local cards are also accepted more readily by small businesses with card terminals.

Opening an account takes documents and time, including a reference from your existing bank and proof of address. Our guide to opening a bank account in Grenada covers the process. Until it is in place, a home card with low foreign fees is the most cost-effective way to access cash.

Safety and problems at the machine

Cash machine risks in Grenada are similar to anywhere else:

• Use machines inside or attached to bank branches during the day where possible.
• Cover the keypad when entering your PIN and check the card slot for anything loose or unusual.
• Count cash discreetly and put it away before walking off.
• If a machine retains your card, contact the bank that owns it immediately during branch hours, and your own bank to block the card.
• If a machine debits you but does not dispense cash, keep the receipt and report it to your bank; refunds take time but are normal.
• Do not accept help from strangers at the machine.
• In an emergency, call 911.
• Avoid withdrawing large amounts late at night or in isolated spots; plan withdrawals for daylight hours in busy areas.

Frequently asked questions