Is it safe to withdraw cash in Equatorial Guinea or not?
I stayed in a guesthouse that had no ATM nearby. Locals suggested not walking far with cash after dark, even in central areas. The city feels calm, but it's not a place where people commonly use ATMs late at night.
ATMs are mostly linked to banks or larger hotels. I used one inside the Sofitel in Malabo late at night without any trouble. It accepted my Mastercard and was in a monitored space, which helped me feel at ease.
Tried using an ATM at a petrol station in Bata after 8 PM. It was working, but the lighting was poor, and the area was almost deserted. Locals said it's best to use machines during daylight hours due to sporadic power and lack of public presence.
In Malabo, I withdrew CFA francs from a BGFI Bank ATM near the presidential avenue just before 9 PM. It was inside a guarded compound with lighting, and there were people around. ATM safety in Equatorial Guinea at night is generally okay in secure urban areas, but I wouldn’t recommend venturing out in unfamiliar zones.