Practical Guide
Sending money home: today's best rates
Comparing what $200 USD actually delivers across five providers - to Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados. Mid-market rates as the benchmark. No spin.
Last updated: May 5, 2026
How to read this
The mid-market rate is the true exchange rate banks use among themselves. Anything below it is the provider's markup.
For each corridor below, the mid-market rate is what $200 USD should convert to in a perfect world. Each provider's row shows what they actually deliver after their exchange-rate markup and transfer fee. The closer the "Total received" is to the mid-market total, the better the deal.
USD → Guyana (GYD)
Stable currency, low volatility. Bank deposit and cash pickup widely available across Georgetown and major towns.
| Provider | Rate (1 USD) | Fee | Total received | Effective USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST Wise Closest to mid-market. Bank deposit only. | 207.50 | $1.85 | 41,085 | $196.21 |
| Remitly First-transfer promo rates often beat Wise. Cash pickup available. | 206.00 | $0.00 | 41,200 | $196.76 |
| WorldRemit Bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet. | 205.00 | $2.99 | 40,385 | $192.87 |
| Western Union Cash pickup network is largest, but rate markup is heaviest. | 202.50 | $4.99 | 39,487 | $188.58 |
| MoneyGram Comparable to Western Union. Wide cash pickup network. | 203.00 | $3.99 | 39,790 | $190.03 |
USD → Jamaica (JMD)
Heavy remittance corridor. Most providers offer same-day delivery.
| Provider | Rate (1 USD) | Fee | Total received | Effective USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST Wise Closest to mid-market. Bank deposit. | 156.20 | $1.85 | 30,930 | $196.53 |
| Remitly Strong first-transfer promos. Cash pickup at NCB and Scotia. | 155.00 | $0.00 | 31,000 | $196.98 |
| WorldRemit Bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet. | 154.00 | $2.99 | 30,338 | $192.78 |
| Western Union Largest cash pickup network. Rate markup ~3%. | 152.00 | $4.99 | 29,641 | $188.34 |
| MoneyGram Cash pickup widely available. | 152.50 | $3.99 | 29,882 | $189.87 |
USD → Trinidad & Tobago (TTD)
Stable, oil-supported currency. Bank deposit standard, cash pickup limited.
| Provider | Rate (1 USD) | Fee | Total received | Effective USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST Wise Closest to mid-market. Bank deposit only. | 6.72 | $1.85 | 1,331 | $196.31 |
| Remitly Promotional rates can beat Wise on first send. | 6.66 | $0.00 | 1,332 | $196.46 |
| WorldRemit Bank deposit + cash pickup at agent locations. | 6.65 | $2.99 | 1,310 | $193.22 |
| Western Union Cash pickup at Republic Bank, RBC. | 6.55 | $4.99 | 1,278 | $188.50 |
| MoneyGram Cash pickup network similar to WU. | 6.58 | $3.99 | 1,290 | $190.27 |
USD → Barbados (BBD)
Pegged 2:1 to USD since 1975. The exchange rate doesn't move - the only difference between providers is the fee.
| Provider | Rate (1 USD) | Fee | Total received | Effective USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST Wise Tightest spread. Bank deposit. | 1.99 | $1.85 | 394 | $197.99 |
| Remitly Zero fee on promo, slight rate markup. | 1.98 | $0.00 | 396 | $198.99 |
| WorldRemit Bank deposit, cash pickup at FCIB, RBC. | 1.96 | $2.99 | 386 | $194.01 |
| Western Union Cash pickup at most major banks. | 1.94 | $4.99 | 379 | $189.50 |
| MoneyGram Cash pickup at Republic Bank network. | 1.95 | $3.99 | 382 | $190.99 |
How we calculate this
Rates and fees change constantly. The figures below reflect typical mid-week pricing for a $200 transfer paid by US bank account, delivered to a recipient bank account. Always confirm the live quote on the provider's site before sending. Tradewinds Brief earns affiliate fees from some links - this never changes which providers we list or the order they appear.
Mid-market rates are sourced from Xe and Wise live feeds. Provider rates reflect typical mid-week pricing for a $200 USD transfer paid by US bank account and delivered to a recipient bank account. Promotional first-transfer rates (offered by most providers) can beat the rates shown here for one-time use.
This page is updated weekly. If a rate looks wrong, tell us - we want this to be the most accurate diaspora remittance comparison on the internet.