Trying to plan ahead so any know if card payments are common at hostels in Gabon or cash is king?
If you’re heading to Libreville and staying in lower-budget places, skip the expectation of paying with a card. Cash-specifically CFA francs-is the norm at hostels like Océane or Le Jomonia. Before you check in, find an ATM (Ecobank or BCDC) on main boulevards and load up. You’ll avoid awkward moments and check in faster when you’ve got notes ready.
So I rocked up at a hostel off Boulevard de Nice-asked if I could pay with card and got a polite 'no'. Instead, the manager walked me to a nearby Ecobank ATM, I withdrew CFA via Visa, and came back to pay in cash. It worked fine-I even stayed a second night without fuss. Hostels in that area are cash-only, but ATMs are nearby if you're prepared.
I spent a night at a small guesthouse near the beach, and while they said ‘cash only,’ it didn’t feel like a hassle. There’s free breakfast, friendly staff, and I just used CFA. Later I found Ecobank in Akébé where a Visa card worked fine for cash out. Despite no card payments at the hostel, having cash made me feel local and worry-free.
In Libreville, hostels like Résidence Hôtelière Océane or Le Jomonia typically prefer cash on arrival-card acceptance is rare outside of big hotels. Even though I've seen some traveler-oriented places listed on Travelocity or Dorms.com, most of the local dorms or guesthouses don't run card machines. Best to withdraw CFA from an ATM-like Ecobank or BCDC near the carrefour district-and carry enough for your stay. Simplifies check-in and avoids awkward “machine not working” moments.