East Caribbean Dollar
The East Caribbean dollar is the currency used (as the name would suggest) in the 8 states that make up the area known as the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. There are 6 totally independent states that use the East Caribbean dollar, namely Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Grenada and Saint Vincent & the
Grenadines.
The other two states that make up this union are the British overseas territories of Monserrat and Anguilla. Paradoxically, the British Virgin Islands, which are a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, do not use the East Caribbean dollar, preferring instead to use the US dollar as its currency.
The East Caribbean dollar is, like all dollar systems, sub-divided into 100 cents and it is denoted by the symbol $, but often it is referred to as EC$, to differentiate it from the US dollar or other dollar systems.
The East Caribbean dollar is issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and is in the form of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 cents and $1 as coins and in $5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, as notes.
The currency is pegged with the US dollar. The British Queen, Elizabeth ll is featured on the notes and coins as she is technically at least, the head of state in all these countries, apart from Dominica.
History of the East Caribbean Dollar
The East Caribbean dollar was brought in to replace the British West Indian dollar, which had been used throughout the British West Indies since 1935. However, in 1964, Trinidad and Tobago decided that they would leave this monetary union and instead print their own money and so in 1965, to symbolise unity and the fact that there was increasing independence from Britain. So in 1965, the East Caribbean dollar came to be in use and has remained so ever since.
Getting Hold of East Caribbean Dollars
Antigua and Barbuda:
Despite the fact that these are two small and relatively isolated islands, credit cards are accepted throughout both the islands and there are also plenty of banks and most of these offer ATM facilities. In addition, it is possible to use US dollars.
Saint Kitts and Nevis:
Again, ATM machines are quite widely available and it is quite easy to get hold of the EC dollars, or else you can just use your US dollars which are quite readily accepted.
Dominica:
Dominia also has ease of access to currency through ATM machines, although the use of the dollar is also widespread, you may find that in some of the smaller shops, they will only accept local currency.
Saint Lucia,Greneda,
Saint Lucia and Greneda also have an extensive network of ATM machines and it is possible to use US dollars here as well.
St Vincent and the Grenadines:
St Vincent is slightly more complicated than the other islands, because although there are ATM facilities on St Vincent, they are pretty scare on Grenadine islands, so if you plan to visit the smaller islands that make up the Grenadines, then you will want to have at least some cash with you. But that being said, it will also be possible to use your credit cards quite extensively. To some extent these islands are the playground of the rich and privileged, so cards are readily accepted as well as US dollars. But for tips and smaller purchases, it is handy to have some cash.
Monserrat:
Monserrat has only one ATM machine which is located at the Canadian Bank (Royal Bank of Canada). However, credit and debit cards are also accepted here, as well as US dollars.
Anguilla:
Anguilla, despite its size has a few ATM machines, so it is relatively easy to get hold of East Caribbean dollars, but the US dollar is in widespread use here and menus and prices are often quoted in US dollars, so it is easy to get by just using dollars.
The Islands
These islands are to some extent quite exclusive and expensive, so if you are looking for cheap destinations, then these are not islands where you will find 'cheap' without having to search for it!
That being said, Monserrat is much less expensive than before it was hit by a hurricane and although much of it has been rebuilt, tourists have not returned in anything like the numbers who used to visit, prior to the hurricane, so if you fancy a trip to Monserrat, go as soon as you can before the prices start to creep up again.
Of all the islands in the East Caribbean, Monserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis offer the best value for money, but even these islands are still more expensive than you may imagine.
In all the islands, you will find that nearly everything has to imported, which makes the cost of living higher than you may think and this cost is then passed on to the traveller.
The islands are also very much off any tourist trail, so they have an air of exclusivity about them. It is expensive to get to them and so for a long time, only the wealthy have been able to afford to holiday here and this means that the prices have been, in some cases, kept artificially high. But this keeps the lower end of the tourist market away from all of these islands and so retains their charm and individuality.
One thing that all the islands have in common, apart from the prices charged, is that the nightlife tends to be quite tame, in comparison to many other places. So if you are looking for a quiet island paradise, where you can share a romantic meal of an evening and then go out for a stroll along the beach, then perhaps retire to your hotel and have a glass of wine or champagne in the bar, then head off to bed, then all the islands of the East Caribbean will suit you down to the ground. But if you are looking for parties till dawn or wild nightclubs, then you may be disappointed, since the facilities simply are not provided.
Some people even go as far as to say that using the word nightlife, with regard to the East Caribbean is simply a mistake, because there isn't any nightlife to be had!
Many people who come to the islands are actually the proverbial party animals, rich socialites or city bankers and they want the peace and tranquillity that the islands can offer, so this situation is not likely to change.
Safety Issues
Safety is not really an issue on any of the islands, although, particularly in light of the extensive damage that a hurricane did to Monserrat you are advised not to travel to any of the islands during the hurricane season.
Crime is not a huge issue on any of the islands. There is actually very little risk of serious crime, but you should still not become complacent about safety issues and should make sure that you have your valuables securely stored at all times. Pickpocketing can happen but is not widespread, especially in comparison to other holiday destinations.
The risk of mugging is also quite low, since these are island communities that are relatively close knit, with people knowing each other on the island and knowing each others business, which tends to ensure that citizens are relatively law abiding.
You will also find throughout the area that you do not tend to be hassled by street vendors, in the way you can be in a lot of other holiday hotspots. The locals know that they need tourists and they are also keen to ensure that they attract the right type of tourist, so there is a good deal of respect for those who make the effort and incur the expense of visiting the Eastern Caribbean.
One point that travellers should be aware of is that there is a relatively traditional view taken by locals as to what is appropriate in terms of clothes. Although on beaches it is ok to wear a bikini, when you are out and about in public it is respectful to local traditions to wear a reasonable amount of clothes and dress relatively modestly. So if you are male or female, the golden rule is that you should not bear too much flesh in public. In some ways this makes sense from a sun safety point of view as well, because the sun can get very hot and it is easy to burn, without even being aware of the risks.
Overview
For a holiday that really does seem like paradise on earth, the islands that make up the Eastern Caribbean can be the ideal destination. Here you are away from all the crowds and can just get to see another way of life, that is very slow, laidback and where people are generally very warm and friendly and will be genuinely pleased to see you.
The East Caribbean is pricey for most people and at the luxury end of the travel market, but then when you arrive, the peace, tranquillity and lack of crowds make it seem as if the extra cost was well and truly worth it.
The lack of hassle, high levels of safety and the fantastically solicitous service make all of the islands a very interesting and relaxing destination to visit. The wildlife is also quite diverse and you can see all kinds of wildlife around the islands, or even take a trip out to sea and view the islands from a different perspective.
Many people fear that the islands will soon end up being much more commercialised (already on St Kitts, there are plans to extend the number of travellers who come here, with resorts being planned). As a result, the best time to see these islands is now, before they become over run with tourists and lose some of their individual charms, or end up as 'all inclusive' enclaves. So if the East Caribbean is a destination of interest, don't leave it too long before visiting, or it may have lost some of its magic.
For further information, please visit the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States at http://www.oecs.org. This is not a tourism site, but gives a real flavour of how life is viewed from the islands' point of view: very dignified and slightly formal, but a good insight nevertheless.