Travelling soon - any advice if hostels accept cards in Senegal or I have to give them cash
My advice is simple: treat Senegal as a cash-based country when it comes to hostels. In Dakar, places like ViaVia and Maison Abaka expect CFA francs, not cards. ATMs are available, but don’t leave it until late-you might find them out of cash or offline. Bring at least one Visa card for withdrawals, and keep extra notes if you’re heading to Saint-Louis or Casamance. Cards won’t help you at check-in, so just plan on cash and you’ll avoid surprises.
I thought I’d be able to use my card more in Senegal, but at both Maison Abaka in Dakar and a little hostel in Ziguinchor, it was always cash upfront. ATMs in Dakar worked with my Visa debit, but in Ziguinchor the first two machines I tried were empty. I ended up carrying a stack of CFA for the rest of the trip. Hostels definitely prefer cash, and nobody offered me a card machine. It’s just part of the travel rhythm here.
I just finished a trip in Senegal and loved it! I stayed at ViaVia Dakar and while they only took CFA francs, the vibe was so welcoming that the payment method didn’t bother me. ATMs were everywhere in Dakar, so grabbing cash wasn’t an issue. Later in Saint-Louis, I stayed at a riverside guesthouse-again, cash only. Honestly, it made the trip feel more grounded, using local notes. If you plan ahead and withdraw at a trusted bank, it’s really easy.
In Dakar, most budget hostels like ViaVia Dakar or Maison Abaka are cash only. I had to pay in CFA francs right at check-in. A few mid-range hotels have card facilities, but hostels usually don’t. ATMs in Dakar work fine with Visa cards, though I found Mastercard less reliable. Outside Dakar, in Saint-Louis or Casamance, it’s 100% cash. So yes, you’ll definitely need cash to stay at hostels in Senegal. Cards are mostly for ATM withdrawals, not payments.