Is it okay to use ATMs late in the evening in Gambia or should I stick to daytime withdrawals only? I am a single woman travelling so want to be safe.
I volunteered near Brikama and found night banking inconvenient. The machines at Ecobank or Access Bank weren’t always stocked, especially late. Security isn’t always visible, and many ATMs are in open, unmonitored areas. For withdrawing cash after dark in Gambia, stick to machines inside hotel compounds or go out with a local companion.
As a regional traveler based in West Africa, I’ve been to The Gambia multiple times. The GT Bank ATM in Kololi was one of the few that reliably worked late, but it was still smarter to go during the day. There’s low-level theft risk after dark, and lighting is poor in many areas. Keep cash safe and discreet.
I backpacked through Banjul and found that many ATMs stop working after 7 or 8 PM. Tried using a Trust Bank ATM near Albert Market after dark, but it was out of service. The area felt sketchy too. Better to handle cash needs in the morning and avoid solo night walks with money in hand.
ATM safety at night in The Gambia is iffy. I stayed in Senegambia and needed cash late - found an Ecobank ATM outside a hotel. It worked, but the road was quiet and dark. I wouldn’t do it again. Most people I met said to always withdraw during daylight and inside bank branches if possible.