Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Burkina Faso easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
In Burkina Faso, don’t count on American Express working widely-some ATMs and shops might take it, but it’s not common. Most places, even in Ouagadougou, really want Visa or Mastercard. ATMs at big banks like Société Générale, UBA, or Ecobank are your best bet for withdrawing CFA francs with Visa or Mastercard. Restaurants and supermarkets often accept those too, but forget Amex unless you’re at an upscale hotel. Save yourself a headache: bring Visa or Mastercard for daily expenses and cash in CFA for small markets or taxi rides.
From my Burkina Faso trip-cards are a mixed bag. I used Visa at Ecobank ATM in Ouagadougou to get CFA francs-no sweat. Local snack stands? Cash only. I passed my Amex to a clerk who said, ‘American what?’ So yeah. Mastercard worked at Buffet restaurants and at shopping centers in the city, but beyond that stick to cash. ATMs inside Société Générale or UBA are your safest bet, but always check there’s a camera or a guard nearby for security. Bottom line: Visa or Mastercard for big withdrawals, and always carry CFA in your pocket.
Travel tip for Burkina? Be cash-ready. American Express acceptance is slowly growing but is still only a few ATMs or merchants accept it, usually high-end hotels or businesses. Visa and Mastercard? More reliable-but even then, only at big-bank ATMs like Société Générale and Ecobank in towns; avoid solo roadside ATMs if you can. Smaller eateries, street vendors, and taxis? Cash in CFA francs is king. Bring a Visa or Mastercard for bank withdrawals, stock up on CFA, and don’t rely on Amex unless you know you’re heading to the Radisson or a major chain spot.
I just got back from Burkina Faso and using Visa worked way better than I expected. I grabbed CFA francs from Société Générale and Ecobank ATMs safely, and local craft markets in Ouaga accepted Mastercard for purchases of leather goods. Even a café in the Plateau neighborhood took Visa. I tried Amex once at a fancy hotel lobby-it worked-but that was a rarity. My advice: bring Visa or Mastercard so you’re not stuck having to haggle over cash. And hold onto receipts-bank ATMs can be finicky, but generally it’s fine.