Cash or card at hostels in Cape Verde

I found it a bit frustrating in Cape Verde. Even in Praia, my hostel claimed the card machine was “broken” and insisted on cash. Luckily, there was a BCA ATM near Plateau Market, but I paid a fee. In São Vicente, the situation was worse: the hostel near Laginha Beach only took escudos. So yes, bring cash. Cards work for hotels and nicer restaurants, but hostels aren’t there yet. Don’t assume you can rely on plastic-it’s better to plan for cash first.

Yes, cards are accepted at some hostels, especially in Praia, but don’t expect it everywhere. The better hostels catering to surfers around Santa Maria on Sal Island had working card readers when I visited, but inland or in Tarrafal most of them asked for cash. You can use Visa and Mastercard at Banco Interatlântico ATMs in town, but they don’t always work with foreign debit cards. I recommend withdrawing at the airport if you can, so you don’t get stuck without cash when a hostel demands it.

When I stayed in Mindelo at a small hostel by the port, they told me card terminals weren’t common because of bad internet. I ended up paying cash at check-in. The nearest Caixa Económica ATM was just a block away, so not a huge problem. Booking was done online with card, but the balance was local cash. People in Cape Verde are friendly, so hostel staff will point you to the nearest bank. Still, I’d say carry enough escudos before heading to the smaller islands.

In Praia and Mindelo, some larger guesthouses do take cards, but many small hostels run on cash only. I stayed at a budget hostel near Plateau in Praia, and they flatly said no to cards. BCA Bank ATMs are all over, and they gave me cash in escudos without a problem. If you’re heading out to islands like Maio or Santo Antão, cash is definitely king, so stock up in the city before you hop on the ferry.