Need cash when I land, best place in Guinea-Bissau? Airport or places in the city?
If you’re landing in Guinea-Bissau, change only a small amount at the airport (10-20 euros). In Bissau city, head to Ecobank or Banco Atlantico on Avenida Amílcar Cabral for more reliable ATMs. Always carry euros or USD to exchange at bureaux downtown since machines run out of cash frequently. Stick with Visa cards - they’re accepted far more often than Mastercards.
My Revolut Mastercard failed at the ATM near the airport and the exchange counter gave me a very bad rate for euros. Later in town, Banco da África Ocidental worked fine with my Visa debit. Outside Bissau, ATMs are rare and often out of cash. I’d recommend bringing backup USD or euros just in case, because it’s stressful relying on the machines here.
I only changed $30 at the airport to cover my taxi. The next day, I withdrew CFA francs at the Ecobank ATM in downtown Bissau with my Wise Visa card, no issues. Another traveller staying at Pensao Creola used Banco Atlantico’s ATM near Mercado Central and also had success. Definitely worth waiting until the city - airport exchange isn’t good.
At Bissau Osvaldo Vieira Airport, there’s usually one small exchange desk, but rates are poor. It’s better to wait until you’re in Bissau city and use Banco da África Ocidental (BAO), Ecobank, or Banco Atlantico. ATMs in the city center around Avenida Amílcar Cabral are more reliable than the airport ones, and Visa cards work more often than Mastercard.