What is the Currency of the Marshall Islands?

The Marshall Islands uses the US Dollar and Cent. Prices in the Marshall Islands are usually written as a dollar symbol ($), while internationally, the currency is displayed as "USD" or "US$". 100 Cents equals one Dollar.

US Cent Coins

Coins come in values of 1¢, 5¢, 10¢ and 25¢.

US Dollar Bank Notes

Notes come in values of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

In this section, we cover a few aspects of money culture in the Marshall Islands, as paying for things may work a little differently from back home.

Tipping in the Marshall Islands

Although it is always appreciated, tipping is not customary or mandatory in the Marshall Islands. Tipping is generally reserved for outstanding service and it is entirely up to you whether to leave a tip and how much to give.

Restaurants, taxis, hotels and tour operators do not usually expect visitors to add a set percentage to the bill.

Check out our Marshall Islands Tipping & Tax Guide for Travellers for more information.

Cash or Card?

Cash is king in the Marshall Islands. Cash in US dollars is the most widely accepted form of payment and, in many instances, the only form of payment.

It is a good idea to always have enough cash available to pay your way, particularly for taxis, market stalls, small family-run businesses and travel beyond Majuro.

See some recommended daily amounts in Marshall Islands Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to the Marshall Islands Cost?

Many hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, car rental companies and shops in Majuro accept foreign credit and debit cards. The most widely accepted cards are Visa and Mastercard, although acceptance varies between businesses.

There are no ATMs or card payment facilities on the outer atolls, so withdraw enough cash before leaving Majuro. All ATM withdrawals are dispensed in US dollars.

Learn more about how to pay using our guides, What Is the Best Way to Pay in the Marshall Islands? and Can You Use Your Credit or Debit Card in the Marshall Islands?

Digital Payments

The Marshall Islands has a local digital wallet called Lomalo, which is accepted by selected businesses. However, opening an account requires a local Social Security Number, so it is not a practical payment option for tourists.

A small number of hotels and car rental companies also accept PayPal, usually for bookings or advance payments. Digital payments should be treated as a backup rather than something to rely on for everyday spending.

Foreign currency cannot be exchanged after arriving in the Marshall Islands. Both the Bank of Guam and the Bank of Marshall Islands restrict currency exchange to account holders, while opening a local account requires a Marshall Islands Social Security Number.

This makes currency exchange impractical for tourists. Visitors travelling with anything other than US dollars should exchange their money before departure and bring enough cash to cover at least the first part of their trip.

ATMs in Majuro dispense US dollars, although there are only three and each withdrawal costs around US$5-US$6. There are no ATMs on the outer atolls.

Find out more about ATM locations in our guide, Information, Shops and Services in the Marshall Islands, or in the section below.

The main banks in the Marshall Islands are the Bank of Guam and the Bank of Marshall Islands; the former has branches and services concentrated in Majuro, while the latter can also be found on the outer atolls. Their services are mainly designed for residents, and tourists should not rely on either bank for foreign currency exchange.

Where are the ATMs in the Marshall Islands?

There are only three ATMs in the country, all operated by the Bank of Guam in Majuro. You’ll find them at K&K Supermarket in Delap, Payless Supermarket and on the ground floor of the Hotel Robert Reimers building near Ace Hardware.

Bank of Guam ATMs accept several international card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, PLUS, NYCE and Pulse. Withdrawals are dispensed in US dollars.

A flat fee of around US$5-$6 applies to each withdrawal, whether you use a local or overseas card. Your own bank may also charge an overseas withdrawal or foreign transaction fee.

There are no ATMs outside Majuro, including on Arno and the outer atolls. Withdraw enough cash before travelling beyond the capital, with a little extra set aside in case your plans change.

We also recommend telling your bank that you are travelling overseas so it does not block your card after an unfamiliar transaction.

Learn more about using cards in Can You Use Your Credit or Debit Card in the Marshall Islands?

There are a limited number of taxes in the Marshall Islands that are likely to affect visitors, including local sales tax, hotel room tax and the departure tax.

Atoll Sales Tax

Each atoll has its own sales tax. On Majuro, many goods and services purchased are subject to a 4% local sales tax. The tax may be included in the advertised price or shown separately on your receipt, depending on the business.

Hotel Room Tax

Accommodation is subject to an 8% hotel room tax. This is usually included in the rate provided by the hotel, although it may be itemised separately on your booking confirmation or final invoice.

Departure Tax

The Marshall Islands Departure Tax is a flat fee of US$25 per international passenger. It is paid separately at the airport during the departure process rather than being included in your flight ticket.

Learn more about the taxes and other visitor charges in our Marshall Islands Tipping & Tax Guide for Travellers.