50,000 Reasons Why Cash Still Wins in Marbella (and How to Get It Smart)

50,000 Reasons Why Cash Still Wins in Marbella (and How to Get It Smart)

💶 The ultimate money guide for a Marbella hen do: cash vs cards, Wise, Revolut & how to avoid hidden fees. Save £50–100 pp this weekend.

Why this matters: over a 3‑day hen do, it’s easy to waste £50–£100 per person in bad exchange rates, ATM fees and card mark‑ups. This guide shows you how to keep that money for cava 🥂.

Your Quick Money Playbook

• Bring both: 70% cash / 30% card per person works best for most hen groups.

• Cash for: taxis, tips, small bars/entries, quick villa extras.

• Card for: villa deposits, VIP/table bookings, restaurants with pre‑auth, apps (Uber/Bolt/Glovo).

• Best cards: Wise or Revolut (real exchange rates, app control, fair ATM terms).

• Always choose EUR on card terminals/ATMs (never “pay in GBP”).

• Avoid: airport exchanges, random high‑fee ATMs, multiple tiny withdrawals.
  
  

The Problem — Converting Pounds/Foreign Currency in Spain

Many UK (and non‑UK) bank cards quietly add 2–3% foreign fees. ATMs can charge €3–€6 per withdrawal, and DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) shows you a friendly “pay in GBP?” screen that actually bakes in a worse rate.

Why it stings on a hen do:

• Every little fee stacks up across 8–20 people and multiple cashpoints.

• Some clubs/smaller vendors add surcharges/minimums for foreign cards.

• Paying in GBP at the terminal looks safe… but costs more than paying in EUR.

  
  

Why Cash Still Wins in Marbella

Cash isn’t old‑school here — it’s practical:

1. No hidden card fees → you keep the FX spread in your pocket.

2. Instant budget control → set a nightly envelope and stick to it.

3. Nightlife‑friendly → faster at bars, doors, and some VIP situations.

4. Tips land better → drivers, butlers, chefs, DJs genuinely appreciate cash.

5. Failsafe → if apps, Wi‑Fi or cards fail, cash always works.

Cultural note: In Spain, while cards work everywhere, most local spots still lean towards cash for speed and simplicity.

Wise & Revolut — How They Work (and how to get cash)

Both are UK‑friendly fintechs (also available in IE/EU/US) with great exchange rates, a EUR balance, and a physical/virtual card.

🟢 Wise (formerly TransferWise)

What it is: a multi‑currency account with near‑interbank FX.

Set‑up in 5 mins:

1. Open a EUR balance in the app.

2. Top up from your UK bank (bank transfer or debit card).

3. Convert GBP→EUR (low fee, transparent rate).

4. Use your Wise card to pay in EUR or withdraw EUR in Spain.

ATM withdrawals:

• 2 free withdrawals/month up to €200 total.

• Beyond that: ~1.75% + €0.50 per withdrawal.

• Daily ATM limits are editable in-app, but many Spanish ATMs cap €200–€300 per transaction (you can repeat).

Best for: your main spending card + getting cash cheaply.

👉 Download Wise for iOS | Download Wise for Android

🔵 Revolut

What it is: an app‑based bank with very good FX and stellar group features.

Set‑up:

1. Add GBP from your UK account.

2. Convert to EUR inside the app.

3. Pay with your Revolut card in EUR or withdraw cash.

ATM withdrawals:

• Standard plan: €200/month free (or 5 withdrawals).

• After that: 2% fee.

• Higher limits with paid plans.

• Note: weekend FX can add ~0.5–1% markup, so it’s better to convert GBP→EUR on weekdays.

Best for: splitting group expenses, contactless payments everywhere, and quick top-ups.

Tip: Set your app security & limits before you fly. Carry a backup physical card (Wise or Revolut) in case one gets blocked.

👉 Download Revolut for iOS | Download Revolut for Android

• Use Wise as the main tool to bring money into euros and get cash smartly.

• Use Revolut to keep group payments smooth and fair.

  Together, they’re the perfect combo: one saves you money, the other saves you headaches.

Where (and how) to Withdraw in Marbella

Use bank‑branded ATMs: BBVA, CaixaBank, Santander, Unicaja. Avoid bright independent “tourist” ATMs (high fixed fees + poor rates).

Step‑by‑step at the ATM:

1. Insert card → choose English/Spanish.

2. If offered to charge you in GBP, tap Decline and choose EUR.

3. Check the on‑screen fee disclosure. If it’s silly, cancel and try another ATM.

4. Withdraw in one or two larger amounts, not five tiny ones (fewer fixed fees).

Card terminals (shops/clubs): always pick EUR and decline DCC.

Cash vs Card — The Smart Mix

Rule of thumb for hen groups:

• Cash = street speed (flexibility, generosity, low friction).

• Card = big commitments (secure pre‑auths, shared payments, receipts).
  
  

⚖️ The 70/30 Formula — Why It Works

When planning a Marbella hen do, money isn’t just about how much you spend — it’s about how you split it.

From our experience, the smartest balance is 70% cash / 30% card per person. Here’s why:

• Cash (70%) → smooth for taxis, tips, villa extras, small bars, and spontaneous spends. No fees, no friction.

• Card (30%) → safe and practical for pre-booked restaurants, deposits, or any larger bill that needs a receipt.

This mix keeps nights flowing without stress, while still protecting you for bigger expenses.

The 70/30 rule isn’t about exact euros: it’s about how you intend to pay.

Think of it this way:

• 70% of your situations → cash works best (tips, taxis, quick drinks, villa extras).

• 30% of your situations → card is the smart choice (VIP bookings, restaurants, deposits, apps).

Some nights, that “30% card” might actually be €500 (if you book a big VIP table). Other nights, it might be €40 (a shared restaurant bill).

The point is: cash keeps the night flowing, card protects the big commitments.

Pick your ratio

The Expensive Ways (Skip If You Can)

• Airport exchanges (UK or Spain) → prettiest counters, ugliest rates.

• Random “tourist” ATMs → big fixed fees + bad conversion.

• Paying in GBP at shops/clubs/ATMs → DCC mark‑ups punish you.

• Many tiny ATM withdrawals → you pay the fixed fee again and again.

  
  

Safety & Group Logistics

• Split & stash: don’t carry all your cash at once; use envelopes per night.

• Two cards per person: keep a backup in the villa safe.

• One “group card” (Wise/Revolut) managed by the lead bridesmaid for deposits & big bookings; use bill‑splitin‑app.

• Receipts & photos: snap bills for easy reconciliation.

• Small notes (€5/€10/€20): taxis and tips go faster.

Using Cards in Spain — What to Expect

• Visa/Mastercard work almost everywhere; Amex is patchier.

• Contactless is standard.

• Some places set a card minimum (e.g., €15–€20) — cash avoids the dance.

• Receipts & disputes are easier on big spends (useful for VIP tables, yachts, luxury dinners).

💶 Conscious Money Practices in Marbella

(From “avoid at all costs” → to “smartest choices”)

Ready‑Made FAQ

• How much cash should we bring for a 3‑day hen do?
  For mid‑range plans, €250–€300 pp is comfy (add more if VIP‑heavy).
  
  

• Is it safe to carry that much?
  Split it: a bit in the villa safe, a bit on you, a bit with a friend. Use small notes.
  
  

• Wise or Revolut — does it matter?
  Both are excellent. Many groups use both (one as main, one as backup).
  
  

• Can we survive on cards only?
  Cards cover big, pre-booked items (restaurants, VIP tables, villas). But without cash, your group will miss the smooth flow: the generosity, spontaneity, and no-drama payments that make a Marbella hen do stress-free.
  
  

• Non‑UK travellers?
  Replace GBP→EUR with your currency; the principles are the same. Revolut/Wise also work well from IE/EU/US.

Mini Checklist (save this!)

• ✅ Open Wise and/or Revolut; add £ and convert to €.

• ✅ Bring some € cash (or plan a first ATM stop near the villa).

• ✅ Set spending/ATM limits in app; add a backup card.

• ✅ Learn the magic words: “Charge in EUR, please.”

• ✅ Agree your group mix: 70% cash / 30% card.

Tie‑In: Start Your Weekend With Everything Covered

Join un in La Fiesta: your First Night Villa Party:
food, drinks, DJ, music, butler, and the plan handled.

Book Your First Night with Us → send your dates, group size, and villa location. We’ll build the perfect first night.

_____

Disclaimer

Fees, limits and card features change over time and by plan/tier. Always check your provider’s latest terms. This is practical guidance, not financial advice.