Is it okay to use ATMs late in the evening in Mozambique or should I stick to daytime withdrawals only? I am a single woman travelling so want to be safe.
As an overland traveler, I made it a rule to withdraw cash before 6 PM. I met others who had cards eaten by machines in Vilankulo after-hours with no bank staff to help. The real risk in Mozambique is not crime - it’s malfunctioning ATMs and lack of support. Always carry backup currency.
I volunteered in Beira and used a Standard Bank ATM inside a petrol station once at night - guarded and lit, but not the norm. The machine worked, but it was the only one nearby. Mozambique isn’t overly dangerous, but at night, avoid isolated ATMs. Cash runs should be made in daylight, ideally with company.
While in Tofo, I found the only working ATM shut down by 8 PM. The beach town feels safe, but infrastructure is unreliable. Bring enough cash from Maputo or Inhambane during the day. Night withdrawals aren’t common and machines may be empty or offline.
ATM safety at night in Mozambique varies a lot. In Maputo, I used a Millennium BIM ATM near Avenida Julius Nyerere around 9:30 PM. It worked and the street was decently lit, but I didn’t feel fully comfortable. Locals warned me that phone snatching and petty theft can happen - safer to withdraw during the day.