St. Helena
Travel tips for St. Helena: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cash is essential. Recent travelers stress there are no ATMs on any of the islands and international credit cards are rarely accepted. You must bring plenty of British Pounds (GBP) in cash, though St Helena now offers a pre-loaded virtual Tourist Card app for local digital payments.
Try the food
- Plo: A comforting, spiced one-pot dish made with rice, vegetables, and either meat or fish.
- St Helena Fishcakes: Bite-sized, deep-fried patties made from locally caught tuna, mashed potatoes, herbs, and a kick of chili.
- Pumpkin Pudding: A dense, sweet baked dessert made from local pumpkin, flour, sugar, and spices.
Essentials
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Left side
- SIM tip
- Purchase a local Sure South Atlantic SIM card upon arrival, as international roaming is extremely expensive and eSIMs are generally not supported.
Etiquette
Tipping is not strictly expected, but leaving 10 percent for good service in restaurants is appreciated, and it is customary to wave to passing drivers on the road.