Visitor Information
This page provides information that will be of use to visitors, both to St Helena and Ascension Island.
Where documents are in PDF format, to read them you will need a PDF reader (Version 6.0 or later). If you do not have one you can obtain one (free) from www.adobe.com. If you need information regarding visual impairment issues please consult the Adobe Accessibility website at http://access.adobe.com/. (The Bank of St. Helena takes no responsibility for external sites.)
Skip to: Local Currency Payment Methods Changing Money Locations Other Information
"When you experience the soft blackness of a tropical night on isolated St. Helena,
with the Southern Cross surrounded by a million bright pinpricks of light,
it's easy to imagine yourself on an asteroid sweeping through space."
John Vigor, author of "Small Boat to Freedom" (The Lyons Press; Connecticut; 2005)
Local Currency
The currency in St. Helena and Ascension is the Saint Helena Pound (ISO code 'SHP') which is linked at parity to the British Pound (Sterling, ISO code 'GBP'). The notes and coins are similar to their British equivalents but feature local images. SHP banknotes and coins are issued by the St. Helena Government.
British money is also accepted on both islands at many outlets, and other currencies are accepted in a few places.
Please note that Falkland Island money is not normally accepted in St. Helena but Falkland Island coins can be exchanged at the bank.
Payment Methods
(see also Changing Money, below)
For most purposes it is advisable to have a supply of local cash.
Credit and Debit Cards are not widely accepted for payment on St. Helena or Ascension, though they can be used to obtain cash at the bank (see below).
UK (Sterling) cheques are accepted at a few outlets, and can be encashed at the bank up to the limit of your Cheque Guarantee Card (higher limits apply to account holders). Charges apply.
Changing Money
The Bank of St. Helena is able to change, for St. Helenian Pounds, currency notes and travellers' cheques in the following world currencies:
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GBP |
UK Pounds Sterling |
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ZAR |
South African Rand |
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USD |
United Stated Dollars |
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EUR |
European Union euro |
The bank can also encash UK (Sterling) cheques (with a Guarantee Card)
Bank of St. Helena can advance cash against Credit or Debit Cards in the following schemes:
Visa® |  |
| MasterCard® |  |
| Maestro® |  |
| Visa Delta® |  |
All cash advances are subject to our service charges, which are published in the office.
Please note:
We need to see an identification document which has a signature and a photograph (e.g. a passport)
We can only advance cash where we can successfully achieve online authorisation using our card terminal.
We do not support signature verification for chip-and-pin cards.
Your card issuer may also charge you additional fees which are outside our control.
Please note that you will need identification with a photograph and signature to obtain cash on a credit or debit card.
Please see our Rates page for information about exchange rates.
It is advisable to change back any surplus local currency before leaving as it can be difficult to exchange St. Helenian notes and coins outside St. Helena and Ascension.
Locations
St. Helena: Jamestown
On St. Helena the bank is located in Main Street, Jamestown, in the Post Office Building:
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Ascension Island: Georgetown
On Ascension the bank is located at the rear of the Government Building in Georgetown.
Other Information
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Please see the menu for links to other useful sites.
Enjoy your visit . . .