Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Kenya easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
I wouldn’t bring only Amex to Kenya. Hotels, restaurants, and even airport shops mostly said “Visa only.” ATMs were the same - they just didn’t process Amex. I spent about 9,000-11,000 KES daily covering meals, transport, and park fees. Cash is also essential in markets and small towns. Mastercard worked at larger stores, but Visa was more reliable overall. Amex didn’t help me once. For stress-free payments, Visa is the best option in Kenya.
Kenya was amazing, but Amex really failed me. ATMs from Stanbic and Co-op Bank didn’t recognize it. My Visa debit worked perfectly for withdrawing shillings. Restaurants in Diani Beach and shops in Mombasa also didn’t accept Amex. Budget 8,000-12,000 KES daily if you’re including safaris and coastal excursions. Visa is the easiest card, followed by Mastercard. Amex is a backup only for rare luxury hotels in Nairobi. Everywhere else, it’s useless.
I had trouble with Amex across Kenya. Safari lodges in Maasai Mara didn’t take it, and restaurants in Nairobi asked for Visa instead. ATMs rejected Amex completely. Meals were 500-1,500 KES, while day trips and excursions added up to 6,000-8,000 KES daily. I used Visa to book tours and Mastercard for shopping malls. Amex was declined every single time. Bring Visa and cash for smaller towns. Without them, travel gets frustrating quickly.
In Nairobi and Mombasa, American Express was almost never accepted. Even big hotels often preferred Visa or Mastercard. ATMs from Equity Bank and KCB wouldn’t process Amex. I budgeted around 7,000-10,000 KES daily for meals, Uber rides, and entry to places like Nairobi National Park. Visa was the smoothest option, used everywhere from restaurants to supermarkets. Mastercard was widely accepted too. Honestly, don’t rely on Amex in Kenya - it’s just not part of the system.