Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Guinea-Bissau or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
It's kind of funny; I tried to use my credit card for a taxi ride to the Fortaleza d'Amura, and the driver just laughed and pointed to his wallet. He was a great guy though. He used hand gestures to show me that cash was all he accepted. He was very friendly and even waited for me while I explored the fortress. The total cost was only 1,500 XOF, which felt like a bargain. It's an authentic experience, and it just makes sense to carry cash for all your small transactions in the country.
Unless you want to get into a situation where you can't pay for your ride, you must carry cash for taxis in Guinea-Bissau. The best way to save money and avoid headaches is to get a fair amount of CFA francs. Use a card with no foreign transaction fees, like a Wise card, at an ATM from a major bank in Bissau to get cash. Don't rely on being able to pay with a card. I found that I needed about 10,000 XOF per day to cover all my transport and small purchases, which was very helpful.
I just got back from Guinea-Bissau and can tell you with 100% certainty: cash is king for taxis. Even the airport taxis are a cash-only business. I was staying at the Bissau Royal Hotel, and the hotel staff told me the same thing. They suggested I use the ATM from the Banque Nationale de Guinée-Bissau to withdraw money. The taxis don't have a meter, so you should always negotiate the fare before you get in. I paid around 2,500 XOF for a short ride in Bissau, which is about 4 USD. Always have small bills for convenience.
You will definitely need cash for taxis in Guinea-Bissau. The local currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), and that’s what all the taxis accept. There are no major international ride-hailing apps like Uber or Bolt. While there is a new local app called TictacDrive that offers in-app payment with cards, its usage is not widespread yet, and it's primarily used in the capital, Bissau. Your best option is to withdraw cash from a bank like Ecobank or use a currency exchange office. Credit and debit cards are rarely accepted for taxis, if at all.