Trying to avoid paying crazy ATM fees while traveling in Guinea-Bissau. Anyone found ATMs that are free for foreign cards? Would love specific banks or locations if possible.
For budget travelers in Guinea-Bissau, stick with Banco da Guiné-Bissau ATMs in Bissau city. The foreign card fees aren’t cheap but lower than other places, with fixed fees around 3,000 to 4,500 XOF. Daily limits were adequate-about 150,000 XOF per transaction. I’d recommend getting a travel card with free ATM withdrawals to help cut costs since the ATM network is sparse.
Guinea-Bissau’s ATM system is pretty limited. The best options are Banco Internacional de Crédito and Banco da Guiné-Bissau in the capital. Withdrawal fees hover around 3000 or 4000 Francs CFA, so not exactly free. Daily withdrawal limits are around 150,000 XOF which covers most travel days. It’s smart to carry some Euros or USD cash too, just in case you can’t access ATMs.
I tried using my foreign cards at a few ATMs in Bissau and found that Banco da Guiné-Bissau gave me the smoothest experience, but fees are unavoidable-expect about 4,000 XOF per withdrawal plus your bank’s charges. Avoid small, standalone ATMs scattered near marketplaces; some don’t even take foreign cards properly. It’s best to get enough cash in one go to save on repeated fees.
In Bissau, Banco da Guiné-Bissau and Banco Internacional de Crédito have the most reliable ATMs that accept foreign cards like Visa and Mastercard. You’re likely to face some fees, usually around 3000 to 5000 XOF per withdrawal, but these banks offer the lowest rates compared to smaller or private ATMs. Daily withdrawal limits are around 150,000 XOF, which is usually enough for travelers. To avoid surprises, bring a Wise or Revolut card to lower fees.