Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Use an ATM with a no-fee card — the ATM gives you the real mid-market rate, while airport exchange booths charge 10–20% above it. On a $500 exchange, that difference is $50–100 in hidden costs.
The key rule
Airport currency exchange booths typically charge 10–20% above the mid-market rate.
On a $500 exchange, that is $50–100 in hidden fees. The ATM is almost always better — even with a bank fee. And with a no-fee card, the ATM is unambiguously better.
Banco Popular operates a currency exchange point at Terminal D, offering USD/EUR exchange only; its ATMs across the terminals also dispense euros in addition to dollars.
Puerto Rico's currency is the US dollar, so the vast majority of travelers need no exchange at all. The Banco Popular counter is really only useful for international connecting passengers converting euros, and like any airport exchange point, its rates run well below the mid-market rate.
Banco Popular ATMs are in Terminal A (2nd Level and Departure Level), the Terminal B BPPR branch and Departure Level, and Terminal C Departure Level. 24-hour FirstBank ATMs and an Oriental Bank ATM in Terminal A are also available.
ATMs run on standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus networks. Because Puerto Rico uses the US dollar, mainland US travelers need no currency conversion whatsoever — only travelers withdrawing euros or connecting internationally need to watch for foreign transaction fees, easily avoided with a no-fee card like Schwab, Wise, or Revolut.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for SJU
Skip currency exchange altogether if you're a US traveler — Puerto Rico is a US territory and the dollar is the local currency. If you specifically need euros or another foreign currency, use the FirstBank ATMs (24 hours) rather than the limited-hours Banco Popular counter.
Pro Tip
Banco Popular's ATMs and exchange desk keep bank hours (roughly 8am–4pm), while FirstBank's ATMs run 24 hours — if you land late at night and need cash for any reason, head for FirstBank rather than Banco Popular.
Before you leave
Order foreign currency from your bank before departure — Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer currency ordering at branches and online (3–7 business days). Rates are better than airport booths, and you avoid the airport rush entirely.
At your destination
Withdraw from a local ATM at your destination — you get the real mid-market exchange rate, minus a small network fee. A no-fee card eliminates even that. This is almost always the cheapest option.
In transit
Currency exchange at city banks or post offices in your destination country is typically far better than airport rates in both countries. Most major cities have walk-in currency exchange with rates 5–10% better than airport booths.
Is it better to exchange currency at SJU airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport charge 10-20% above the mid-market rate. At your destination, ATMs give the real interbank rate minus a small network fee — typically saving $50-100 on a $500 exchange versus the airport booth.
Where are the ATMs at SJU airport?
Banco Popular ATMs are in Terminal A (2nd Level and Departure Level), the Terminal B BPPR branch and Departure Level, and Terminal C Departure Level. 24-hour FirstBank ATMs and an Oriental Bank ATM in Terminal A are also available. ATMs run on standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus networks. Because Puerto Rico uses the US dollar, mainland US travelers need no currency conversion whatsoever — only travelers withdrawing euros or connecting internationally need to watch for foreign transaction fees, easily avoided with a no-fee card like Schwab, Wise, or Revolut.
Which currency exchange is at SJU airport?
Banco Popular operates a currency exchange point at Terminal D, offering USD/EUR exchange only; its ATMs across the terminals also dispense euros in addition to dollars. Puerto Rico's currency is the US dollar, so the vast majority of travelers need no exchange at all. The Banco Popular counter is really only useful for international connecting passengers converting euros, and like any airport exchange point, its rates run well below the mid-market rate.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at SJU?
The Charles Schwab debit card is the top choice — it reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and charges 0% on international transactions, giving you the real mid-market exchange rate. Wise and Revolut travel cards are strong alternatives with similar 0% fee structures. Avoid using a standard bank debit card, which typically charges 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus an ATM surcharge of $3-5.
See also: Getting around SJU airport · Live SJU TSA wait times
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