Travelling soon - any advice if hostels accept cards in Mali or I have to give them cash
My advice for Mali: assume cash is the only way you’ll pay at hostels and smaller hotels. Hostels in Bamako like Sleeping Camel and guesthouses up in Segou or Mopti will not run cards. You’ll need CFA francs. ATMs do exist, but not all of them work with foreign cards, so bring at least one backup debit card. Withdraw in Bamako and carry enough for rural stays. Don’t arrive counting on card acceptance-you’ll be caught off guard. Cash is king in Mali.
I thought I’d be able to pay by card when I arrived in Bamako, but Sleeping Camel told me it’s strictly cash. Walked down to an Ecobank ATM and grabbed CFA-worked with my Visa but not my Mastercard. It was a bit of trial and error, but once I had the money, no issues. Later I went to a guesthouse in Segou, and yep, same deal-cash only. Honestly it felt more old-school but kind of made sense given the patchy infrastructure here.
My time in Mali was unforgettable! Stayed at the Sleeping Camel in Bamako, and while it was cash-only, the staff were really helpful about pointing me to ATMs that actually worked. I took out CFA francs at a nearby Ecobank and it was easy. Once I had the cash, everything was smooth-paid for the room, food, even arranged a Niger River trip. Sure, cards weren’t accepted at the hostel, but I never felt stuck. Having the notes in my pocket gave me peace of mind, and I just enjoyed the atmosphere.
In Bamako, most budget guesthouses like Sleeping Camel or Résidence Kome won’t accept card payments. Everything is done in CFA francs cash. Even some mid-range hotels prefer cash over card because the machines often don’t work. ATMs in Bamako do function with foreign cards, but outside the capital it’s a struggle to find reliable ones. So yes, expect to pay cash at hostels. Bring a Visa debit or credit card to withdraw CFA in the city, and always keep spare notes on you for your stay.