Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Kiribati, or should I carry local cash?
Local advice in Kiribati was clear: don’t expect to pay for taxis with cards. The taxi scene is informal and cash-based. Even when taxis advertise card acceptance, the infrastructure isn’t there. Best to prepare with dollars in small bills to avoid getting stranded or overcharged on the way from Bonriki Airport.
Honestly, Kiribati is very much a cash society. I stayed at the Tropics Motel and took taxis that wouldn’t accept cards. ATMs, like those in Betio’s few banks, dispense Australian dollars, and you’ll want cash ready because taxis charge about AUD 5-10 depending on distance.
Tried using an ANZ Kiribati card to pay for taxi rides, but local operators weren’t set up for electronic payments. Taxis there function mainly on cash, so bring enough AUD notes for regular trips around Betio and Bairiki areas.
In South Tarawa, taxis and shared minibuses are small-scale and mostly operate on cash payments. The local currency is the Australian dollar, but many drivers prefer exact change. Card acceptance is almost non-existent, so I carried about AUD 50 in various denominations.