Currencies
Puerto Rico uses the US dollar. Jamaica (JMD), the Bahamas (BSD, pegged 1:1 to USD), Barbados (BBD, pegged 2:1 to USD), Cuba (CUP) and the DR (DOP) have their own currencies.
US dollars are widely accepted in Jamaica, the Bahamas and tourist areas of the DR, usually at a fair rate. In Cuba, bring cash (USD or EUR) and exchange officially: US cards do not work on the island, and ATMs are unreliable for foreign cards.
Costs
The Caribbean is not cheap: expect US-level prices at resorts and in Barbados, moderate prices in Jamaica and the DR, and very low local prices in Cuba (with tourist prices higher). A beach-shack lunch runs $10-20; a paladar dinner in Havana $15-30; a resort dinner $50+.
Inter-island flights are the budget killer: $150-400 per hop. Book early. All-inclusives in Punta Cana and Jamaica can undercut independent travel in high season.
Cards and cash
Cards work in resorts, larger restaurants and supermarkets everywhere except Cuba. Carry cash for markets, route taxis, beach vendors and rum shops.
ATMs are common in the main towns. In the DR and Jamaica, use bank ATMs, not standalone machines. In Cuba, assume no card access at all and bring enough cash for the whole trip.
