Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Eswatini take card payments at check-in
My experience in Eswatini was that paying with a card at hostels is pretty standard in the main tourist areas. I stayed at a place in the Ezulwini Valley, and they had no problem with me paying via card. However, for a lot of smaller, local businesses and especially for public transport, you will absolutely need cash. It's best to have a combination of Lilangeni and South African Rand on hand.
You'll be fine with a card at some of the well-known hostels. Places like Sondzela Backpackers in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary explicitly state they accept Visa and Mastercard on their website. However, you should not rely on your card for every single transaction. Taxis, local markets, and a few small restaurants are still cash-based. I'd get some Rand from a bank like Eswatini Bank just in case.
Card payments are becoming more common at some of the bigger places, but you should still have cash on you. I was just there and paid for my stay at a lodge near Lobamba with my Visa card. But for a lot of smaller shops and local markets, cash is the only way to go. You can easily withdraw Lilangeni or Rand from an ATM, but it’s still smart to have some cash on hand for tips and small purchases.
It’s a mix, but cash is definitely the most reliable payment method for hostels. While a few of the more established hostels like Sondzela Backpackers in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary accept cards like Visa and Mastercard, many others, particularly smaller guesthouses and lodges, are cash-only. The local currency is the Lilangeni (SZL), which is pegged to the South African Rand (ZAR) and both are used interchangeably. My advice is to have a mix of cash and card.