Stripe is unavailable across most of the Caribbean and PayPal receiving is broken or impractical in many islands. Businesses waste months trying to force US tools to work here. This is the map of what does.
The country table
| Country | Currency | Gateways in use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | JMD | Scotiabank hosted page, NCB, eZeePayments, Fygaro, Lynk, WiPay | Bank transfer with proof is universal; PayPal receiving is impractical |
| Trinidad & Tobago | TTD | First Atlantic Commerce (FAC), WiPay, Fygaro, bank merchant services | WiPay popular for small merchants; TTD and USD settlement |
| Barbados | BBD | First Atlantic Commerce, mMoney, Fygaro, CIBC/Republic merchant services | BBD pegged 2:1 to USD; mMoney for local wallets |
| Bahamas | BSD | FAC, Kanoo, Island Pay, SunCash, Sand Dollar wallets | BSD at par with USD; wallets strong for local retail |
| Guyana | GYD | MMG (Mobile Money Guyana), bank card gateways, Fygaro | MMG dominant for local; USD settlement common for online |
| Cayman Islands | KYD | FAC, Butterfield/Cayman National merchant services | KYD pegged; tourists pay USD |
| OECS (Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, St Kitts, Dominica, St Vincent) | XCD | FAC, WiPay, bank merchant services, Fygaro | XCD pegged 2.70 to USD; FAC widely used |
| Belize | BZD | Bank merchant services, Fygaro, DigiWallet | BZD pegged 2:1 to USD |
| Dominican Republic | DOP | Azul, CardNET, PayPal available, Fygaro | One of the few Caribbean markets where PayPal works normally |
Providers change; confirm current availability with the gateway before you build around it.
The four methods that work everywhere
1. Bank transfer with proof
Every island has bank apps. Done properly — order placed first, proof uploaded, staff confirm before dispatch — it is the highest-converting method for local customers and needs no gateway approval at all.
2. A local card gateway
For tourists, the diaspora and customers who prefer cards. Regionally, First Atlantic Commerce (FAC) is the acquirer behind many bank e-commerce facilities; in Jamaica Scotiabank offers a hosted page directly; Fygaro offers hosted checkout in several countries with faster onboarding.
3. A local wallet
Fast for small amounts and popular with younger customers. Treat like transfer: order, proof, confirm.
4. Cash on delivery or pickup
Still the trust-builder for first orders. Cap the order value; require a phone number.
What about PayPal and Stripe?
Stripe does not onboard businesses in most Caribbean countries. PayPal receiving is limited, withdrawal is awkward, and funds can be held — the Dominican Republic and a few others are exceptions. Build on the four methods above and add PayPal only where it works natively.
Multi-currency without a second gateway
Most Caribbean gateways settle in the local currency and USD. Price in one base currency per site (USD for tourism, local for domestic retail) and show the other for reading. Bank facilities in pegged currencies (BBD, BSD, KYD, XCD, BZD) make USD pricing painless.
How Ezy sets this up
Ezy Cart, Ezy Car Rentals and Ezy Loan Manager ship with bank transfer with proof, Scotiabank hosted checkout, Fygaro, wallet instructions and cash on delivery; per-island pages describe the setup for Trinidad, Barbados, the Bahamas, Guyana and Cayman.
Frequently asked
Which payment gateway works in the whole Caribbean?
None covers every island, but First Atlantic Commerce and Fygaro cover many; bank transfer with proof works everywhere.
Does Stripe work in the Caribbean?
Not for merchants in most Caribbean countries.
Can I take USD and local currency?
Yes — most gateways settle in both; price in one base currency and show the other.