Cash is King on the Island

The week was interesting last week.  I ran out of cash and at the same time the one ATM in town broke for almost 3 days.  In the USA, and many other countries as well, we do not think about two things:

PLACES THAT ONLY ACCEPT CASH

NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND AN ATM QUICKLY

Outside of town there is another ATM at the gas station... but by day 2 it had no money either.  So what are the options?  There are a few.

1.  Pay a taxi to take you to downtown Coxen Hole.  There are several there and one at the main grocery. You will have to keep driving til you find one because you have to pay the taxi driver!

2. Wait it out.  The grocery places both take cards and the more expensive restaurants do as well. You just can't eat the less expensive local food.

3.  I did not try this but I was told the ROA grocery will do cash back.  There is a fee and you cannot get much.  In a pinch it might be worth trying.

Most ATM only allow you to take out 200 for  5 dollar fee plus whatever your card charges you.  I have heard some of the other ATM allow more... I will try to verify this at some point.  

Moral of the story: bring enough to last you or plan to pay, but get $$ before you run out. If you bring US dollars, the bills cannot be damaged AT ALL.  They need to be pristine as the banks will not accept them from the locals. Look at your money before you leave.