Money in Bahamas
Bahamas uses the Bahamian dollar. Here is how to pay there, whether to tip, and what common amounts are worth.
- Currency
- BSDBahamian dollar
- Symbol
- B$
- Tipping
- Expected
Paying in Bahamas
Pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, which is accepted everywhere.
- Cards
- Accepted in cities and tourist areas
- Cash
- Fodor's advises carrying small bills for bargaining at straw markets and plenty of cash for remote cays. Fodor's also says to confirm that your hotel takes cards, since some small island hotels do not.
- ATMs
- ATMs are common at banks, malls and resorts on major islands but rare or absent on the most remote ones (Fodor's). Fodor's says PINs of five or more digits will not work at Bahamian ATMs.
- Foreign currency
- US dollars are accepted throughout the Bahamas at the same value as Bahamian dollars and are legal tender (World Travel Guide, Fodor's). Fodor's adds that businesses may not have US currency for change.
- Exchanging money
- Fodor's says leftover Bahamian cash can be exchanged at the airport, and that exchange is unnecessary if you use US dollars.
- Watch out for
- World Travel Guide (2019) says amounts over B$10,000 or equivalent must be declared on entry or exit. Frommer's notes that some banks charge a foreign transaction fee of 1 to 3% or more, even on US dollar purchases.
Tipping in Bahamas
15–20% in restaurants unless a service charge is added. Tip taxis, porters and hotel staff.
Expected: Tips are customary, and staff often rely on them.
Sources checked: Fodor's (Bahamas money), World Travel Guide (Bahamas money and duty free), Frommer's (Bahamas money), Travel Noire.
Convert to and from BSD
Quick reference
| Amount | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.00 BSD | 1.12 BSD | 1.34 BSD |
| 10 | 10.00 BSD | 11.20 BSD | 13.42 BSD |
| 50 | 50.00 BSD | 56.01 BSD | 67.09 BSD |
| 100 | 100 BSD | 112 BSD | 134 BSD |
| 500 | 500 BSD | 560 BSD | 671 BSD |
What each amount is worth in BSD. Mid-market rates from 2 November 2026, 17:00 UTC.
Common questions
What currency does Bahamas use?
Bahamas uses the Bahamian dollar (BSD).
Do you need to tip in Bahamas?
Expected. 15–20% in restaurants unless a service charge is added. Tip taxis, porters and hotel staff.
Can you pay by card in Bahamas?
Accepted in cities and tourist areas. Fodor's advises carrying small bills for bargaining at straw markets and plenty of cash for remote cays. Fodor's also says to confirm that your hotel takes cards, since some small island hotels do not.
Are there ATMs in Bahamas?
ATMs are common at banks, malls and resorts on major islands but rare or absent on the most remote ones (Fodor's). Fodor's says PINs of five or more digits will not work at Bahamian ATMs.