This was (sort of) referred to on another thread, but I'm wondering if the restaurants in Grand Case still offer 1 to 1 if you pay cash. It used to be a fairly common thing but we haven't been to the island in a few years and I'm not sure if that's changed.

My favorite 1:1 is the Simply Market. Most of the restaurants we like don't do 1:1.

It is not as common as it once was unfortunately. I would offer those that still do are in the minority even though the exchange rate is down.

I know Piazza Pascal, Le Shambala and le Cottage did last december !

Most of the restaurants are not doing 1:1. LaVilla is about the only one that comes to mind and in my opinion it's built into the prices.

The exchange rate 1:1.10 and all of them are honoring that rate or $1.11. The restaurants in Orient village are also not doing 1:1.

The grocery stores and gas stations are all 1:1 and I don't remember if Aloha and Sun beach if they are doing it.

Honestly, the official exchange rate isn't nearly as bad as it used to be, so to me it's not nearly as big a deal as it was..

Club O is 1:1.15

That is where you use your credit card. Get the prevailing rate that way.

The supermarket does 1:1?

1 to 1 or 1 to 1.1 isn't much difference.

Is cash still preferred over credit cards in SXM? I always thought cash assured you a better chance of 1:1.

Super U does 1:1 but not the GC restaurants. Le Taitu in Cul de Sac gave us 1:1 the other evening.

Cash is usually the only way to get 1:1. What Scubaman was saying is that you get whatever the prevailing exchange rate is if you use your credit card and ask that the charge is put through in Euros. Otherwise, most establishments have their own exchange rate, and it's often higher than the prevailing one.

Piazza Pascal, Le Cottage and Zen it in Grand Case have been one to one this trip. In Orient Village, Yellow Sub, Macaron and as of Tuesday Petite Casino are all one to one. Simply and Super U as well.

We had dinner at Le Cottage in February and I can't remember if the rate of exchange was one for one. We rated it the best meal on the island and we thought the price was reasonable. We have been travelling to St Marten for about 15 years and the one for one prices do not seem to fit an economic theory I learned at a university. Just enjoy!

Looks like the exchange rate is creeping up. 1.132 today.

Carol, I agree, are we really worried about a few extra dollars here, this is as bad as the tipping theards, give us all a break <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

So sorry if my original question caused offense. We were simply trying to determine whether we should carry a lot of cash for the trip like we have in the past. We eat out a lot and don't skimp on the meal, the wine or the tip, so it can add up. I'll try to be less offensive in the future.

You were not being offensive at all. You asked a legitimate question and you got some answers, but sometimes people seem to be a little unkind in their replies. I hope you continue to ask questions so we all can learn in the process.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We got 1 to 1 at Piazza Pascal and La Villa. We didn't get 1 to 1 at Bistrot Caraibes, Auberge Gourmande, and Tastevin. Not in Grand Case, but close: we got 1 to 1 at Ti Bouchon.

Bonus answer: Orient Beach
We got 1 to 1 at Palm Beach, Paradise View, and Rancho. We did not at Table d'Antoine and Kakao.

I don't think that sanfilip intended to be unkind. I certainly didn't. I'm sorry that you took it that way.

You asked a legitimate question. Not at all offensive. In addition to my original answer we also received 1-1 at Rancho de Sol and Sun Clubber. It is not a determining factor for us but it never hurts to save a bit of cash even on vacation.
Off topic but wanted to mention that we had a great meal at Rancho. They give you a dish of chips and salsa to start. A nice touch. All meals were tasty. Took a bit long to get our meals but there was a birthday party with 20 or more guests there at the same time we were. Sorry if I have hijacked the thread.

Carol, correct, thanks...

We like to pay by cash for most things while on the island we found if you change the cash to euros you get a better exchange rate
We got a far better rate at the place beside Simply market than paying Club O the cash directly

I didn't quite follow that. Can you say more, please?

hear hear Gem!

No need for you to apologize, Carol. I appreciate your support and how kind most of the folks here truly are. (And thanks to IslandGem as well.) I do truly love TTOL!

Sorry last year we pay cash to Club O for our rooms and charges from the boutique
We paid for our Mini Suite as soon as we checked in so we didn't have all the cash on hand
Later in the trip we caught a ride to simply with the neighbors and while we were waiting for them I walked next door and checked the xchange rate and they were offering a far better rate to change the dollars to euros than Club O

Last night at Le Cottage it was 1:1 for cash only.

Another thing I"ve noticed at each place we've eaten---a plasticized card inserted with bill that reads please tip in cash do not put on credit card.

I don't think the credit card machines on the French side are even capable of printing a line to add the tip, at least that's been our experience. We always leave our pourboire in cash. However, it certainly is interesting that this card is being distributed. You can bet it's not given to French clients. Those of us who know the difference between tip and service are fine, but I'm sure there are more that don't.

Well, actually THAT card I have seen around in lots of places on the french side for years. And that makes perfect sense to leave whatever tip you leave, in cash.

I apologize if this has already been asked and answered but am truly confused now.
If I am not going to use my credit card for purchases and the restaurants are leaning towards not giving 1:1 should I exchange some of my cash into euros before leaving home to get the best rate? Will the french establishments appreciate the euros instead of USD?
I was previously under the impression that euros are not needed. I know this seems not very important but want to be prepared before traveling with the least hassles.
Venda

No, don't bother to change to Euros.

We bring some US cash. Take what we need for the day and leave the rest of the day. At the airport we get a couple hundred euros at the ATM when we arrive. Everything at Club O gets charged to the room and pay with credit card to get the bank rate and not the Club O exchange which is always higher than the actual rate. If we need more US cash we use the ATM at Credit Mutuel in Hope Estates.

I agree with Carol. We don't bother with euros. We change our Canadian to U.S. dollars that can be used everywhere on the island instead of juggling 2 currencies in our wallets.

We have never used euros either in SXM. They take US currency everywhere there.

To the OP. Your question was not at all offensive. A very legitimate question that most people on this board understand. Over the last 17 years, we have found the need for cash diminishing, however, we still get a couple of hundred euros through an ATM on the island (for the best rate), for gas, shopping and emergencies. SOME merchants don't give a very good exchange rate, and then out comes our cash in euros.

In regards to hotdancer's question, I recommend getting some Euros through an ATM AFTER you arrive on the island. The exchange rates in the US are generally not very good.