Written by Meagan Rhodes-Smith, guest blogger and newly-turned-jetsetter
Traveling the world is difficult without multi-functional cash, but isn’t the whole point to go cashless nowadays? Well, there’s some reasons why going cashless in certain foreign countries will cause you quite the mess. There’s also warning signs posted in international airports about fraud and ID theft. International ATMs are known to be the culprits of infamous money skimming scams. Not to worry! There are many amazing destinations out there that are friendly to the American dollar.
Over the years, my travels took me to places that used the dollar as the unofficial or official currency. This inevitably made traveling around those countries a breeze! After all, suffering a sudden cash loss while on a Guatemalan sunset cruise can be a huge mood killer.
Don’t Get Me Wrong…
I have enjoyed (or made the most of) less-than-perfect cash situations in foreign countries, and you definitely should visit any place worth the trouble! It’s just that — if you’re like me, your itinerary always includes a day for “accounting” and going to the cash exchange.
Cash exchanges in foreign lands are huge expenses–in terms of time and money. When I’m squeezing everything I can into a trip, it’s much quicker to get around a country using the dollar already. Plus, it just makes things so much simpler for everyone, especially for a foodie like myself who must try all the local fare!
So, what places are best? Let’s take a look at the top destinations where American dollars stretch the most.
Canada
The country that knows all your favorite sports teams is the same country that’s best at exchanging and accepting American dollars. While Canada has its own currency, nicknamed the loonie, the dollar is just as popular. In fact, you can split dinner with your Canadian travel buddy, even if they have $20 Canadian and you have $24 US. That’s the beauty of having such a closeby Ally. Oh, and you typically get a 25% currency discount too.
Things to Spend Dollars On:
- A Subway Tour Around Toronto
- Historic and Rowdy Pub with Local Craft Beers
- The Bata Show Museum (especially if you like prehistoric Otzi Alps-man foot sleds and Apollo space boots)
- The American Indigenous Games (AKA the largest cultural and sporting gathering of Indigenous Peoples in North America)
Ecuador
Go straddle the hemispheres and take a stroll around the Galapagos Islands with no issues of being able to pay. This less-than-talked-about Latin American nation adopted the dollar since 2000, when they needed a more stable currency. Note: It’s better to bring $1 or $5 bills as local merchants can’t break larger bills. Most things here cost less than $5.
Things to Spend Dollars on:
- A Cruise to the Galapagos
- High-Altitude Tours in Blissful Mountains
- Local Cafe or Chocolaterie in Quito
- Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-Gothic Church Tours
Cambodia
A trip to the world wonder Angkor Wat is well worth the endeavor, but you’ll stay for the nightlife and fun in Phnom Penh. Once you arrive in this beautiful country in the Indochina Peninsula in the Southeast Asia, you will be required to buy your visa in US dollars and visit an exchange, which should be a fun experience since one dollar will buy you 4,000 riel. Not interested in the exchange? That’s fine too. It’s Cambodia’s second currency.
Things to Spend Dollars On:
- A Day at Bayon Template in Angkor
- Four Wheeler Excursion into the Southeast Asian Jungle
- Healthy Cultural Cuisine (because it’s what they do best)
- Party at the Pub in Phnom Penh (try the local whiskey!)
Puerto Rico
You can’t go wrong by visiting this rowdy corner of the Caribbean. Since the UN views Puerto Rico as a US Territory with a dollar-based economy, it’s an amazing island trip that you can get for a bargain. Puerto Rico also enjoys the life of being a little like its own country and a little like the States. For example, you can find most citizens here enjoying American baseball any time of day at a local pub. Enjoy lush valleys and incredible rainforests with plenty of delightful and delicious cultural eats in between. Of course, it’s a must that you try the mofongo: mashed-potatoes-like seasoned plantains, blended with seasoned beef, chicken, pork or select seafood.
Things to Spend Dollars On:
- Start in an Old San Juan Pub
- Tour Historic Monuments and 16th Century Architecture
- Day Trip to the El Yunque National Forest
- A Traditional (and delicious) Saborea Dinner
Turks and Caicos
Spending money in Turks and Caicos comes with the itinerary. This beautiful destination whose slogan is “Beautiful by Nature, Clean by Choice” is an amazing place to spend a week, especially when every business uses the official currency of the Turks and Caicos: The US Dollar. Home to the classic beach party and fish fry, the British heritage here makes it a fun and relaxing place where you don’t have to worry about carrying plastic or cash.
Things to spend Dollars On:
- Charter Boats and Sunset Cruises
- Island-Hopping on Private Planes
- Cocktails on the Beach
- Homegrown Jerk Chicken
- Horseback Riding
