Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Solomon Islands, or should I carry local cash?
I met locals in Honiara who said card payments for taxis are rare due to lack of infrastructure. I took taxis around the town and always paid cash. ATMs like those at the Bank South Pacific are the best place to get cash. Planning ahead is key since cash is the norm for all taxi trips.
Paying for taxis in Solomon Islands requires cash. Cards are hardly accepted outside the main hotels. I stayed at Fatboys Resort, and taxis there insisted on cash payments. Prices are reasonable, usually SBD 10-20 for short rides, so carrying small notes helps.
During my stay near the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, taxis didn’t offer card payment options. Even at the airport, drivers wanted cash upfront. There are limited ATMs in Honiara, so it’s smart to withdraw enough local currency like SBD before leaving the airport.
Solomon Islands taxis, especially in Honiara around the Central Market, generally prefer cash payments in Solomon Islands dollars. Card acceptance is almost non-existent except for a few hotel transfers. I carried around SBD 100 in small notes, which made paying easy and avoided any hassle.