Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Cape Verde, or should I carry local cash?
When I was in Cape Verde, I always had escudos on me for taxis. On Sal, a driver let me pay in euros, but it cost me more than if I’d used local money. That taught me to just withdraw from Banco Comercial do Atlântico ATMs instead. If you’re traveling between islands, plan ahead and take cash with you, because ATMs can be limited in smaller towns. Bottom line: taxis = cash.
The drivers in Mindelo told me outright they don’t trust card machines. It’s a completely cash-based system, even for airport runs. When I asked about euros, some said yes, but they’d calculate at their own rate, which was worse. I’d say avoid that and get escudos. Carrying cash also makes it easier to hop in shared taxis, which are common and very cheap. Definitely no card payments in Cape Verde taxis.
I spent a couple of weeks on Sal and Santiago, and every taxi I took asked for cash. Cards were never even mentioned. It’s not really a problem since fares are usually cheap, but make sure to get small bills from the ATM. Drivers don’t like breaking large notes. Cards are fine in resorts and bigger restaurants, but for taxis, cash is the way to go.
Taxis in Cape Verde are cash only, at least in my experience in Praia and Mindelo. I never once saw a card machine in a cab. Local escudos are the preferred currency, though in tourist areas like Sal or Boa Vista some drivers also accept euros. Still, I’d carry escudos for best rates. Banks like Caixa Económica have ATMs in most towns, so withdrawing isn’t a hassle. Don’t count on paying a driver with Visa or Mastercard, it’s just not the norm.