Need cash when I land, best place in Gabon? Airport or places in the city?
If you’re landing in Libreville, get just enough cash at the airport for transport (10,000-20,000 CFA). For larger amounts, head to Ecobank or BGFIBank in the city. The ATMs by Mbolo Mall and Boulevard Triomphal are the most consistent. Always carry a Visa card - Mastercards sometimes don’t go through. Keep euros or USD as backup since bureaux in town happily exchange those.
My Revolut Mastercard failed at the ATM at Libreville Airport and the exchange counter gave me a really poor rate for euros. Later in the city, I found much better rates at a small bureau near Nkembo Market and even at Ecobank. Honestly, unless you’re desperate, don’t change more than taxi money at the airport. ATMs downtown are more reliable than the ones by arrivals.
I only swapped $50 at Libreville Airport for a taxi to my guesthouse. The next morning, I went to BGFIBank near Boulevard Triomphal and withdrew cash from their ATM with my Wise card. Rates were fair and the machine dispensed CFA without issue. A traveller at my hostel in Mont-Bouët used an Ecobank ATM near Mbolo Mall and said it worked perfectly with Monzo Visa. Airport is ok for pocket change, but city banks are way better.
Libreville International Airport has a few exchange counters, but rates are much worse than downtown. In the city, head to Ecobank, BGFIBank, or UGB for better deals. ATMs in Libreville (especially Ecobank near Mbolo Mall) accept foreign cards, though Mastercard can be hit-or-miss. If you arrive at night, change a small amount at the airport and do the rest in town the next day.