Looking for reliable ATMs in Liberia that work well with foreign debit/credit cards and dont charge crazy fees. Any recos will be highly appreciated.
Just got back from Liberia and I can give you the scoop on the ATMs. Honestly, don't count on them. The fees are bad, and the network isn't reliable. I used my Revolut card at an Ecobank ATM and it worked, but I was charged an outrageous fee of 750 Liberian dollars. It's much, much better to bring US currency with you and exchange it. You can find official exchange bureaus, especially in Monrovia, that will give you a decent rate, and you'll save on all the frustrating ATM fees and card issues.
From my experience traveling in Liberia, the banking infrastructure isn't very developed for foreigners. I had a lot of trouble with my debit card. I tried a few different ATMs in Monrovia and had no luck. One of them, at a local bank, swallowed my card and it was a huge hassle to get it back. Your best bet is to go to one of the larger bank branches, like International Bank (Liberia) Limited, and try their ATMs inside during business hours. Even then, I'd suggest bringing a significant amount of US cash as a primary backup.
I can't stress this enough: bring US dollars with you to Liberia. The ATMs are a bit of a gamble, and not all of them are connected to international networks. I tried my Mastercard at a few different banks, but only the United Bank for Africa (UBA) machine on Broad Street worked for me, and even that was after a few tries. Don't expect to just walk up and get cash easily. I recommend having at least $500 in new, crisp US bills and exchanging them at a bank for Liberian dollars as you need them.
I just returned from Liberia and can confirm that finding reliable ATMs that accept foreign cards is a challenge, especially outside of the capital, Monrovia. You must rely on the major banks. I had some success with my Visa card at an Ecobank ATM on Tubman Boulevard. It worked, but the fees were pretty steep, around $5 USD per transaction on top of my bank's charges. It's smart to withdraw a larger amount, like $200-$300, to reduce how many times you have to pay the fee. Many smaller businesses are cash-only, so prepare accordingly.