Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Tonga take card payments at check-in
Here’s the smart move for Tonga: carry cash. Most budget lodgings, especially in Haʻapai and Vava’u, won’t accept cards. ATMs are limited to a few towns, and only sometimes work. Ensure you stock up on Tongan paʻanga early-grab enough to cover your stays, food, and boat rides off the beaten track. Let cards be your backup for emergencies, not your main plan.
When I tried to pay with card at a homestay near Haʻatafu beach-I got a polite ‘we don’t do that here’. I darted to the ANZ branch nearby and withdrew paʻanga, and everything clicked. Guesthouses, village markets, even food trucks on the road took cash. Card use was for big hotels only-not the down-to-earth spots that make Tonga unique.
My beach hut in Vava’u was cash-only, which actually made things feel more relaxed. I hit the ATM in Neiafu and grabbed paʻanga using my Wise card, then everything flowed-tours, snacks, even souvenirs. While hotel chains on Tongatapu may accept card, most smaller island stays lean hard on cash. Bringing cash felt like blending into island life, not waving high-tech payment methods around.
In Tonga, cash is the go-to everywhere-hostels and guesthouses generally don’t process cards. Only larger hotels or resorts might take cards, but that’s rare. ATMs are available in main towns, but merchants, islandside lodges, and homestays expect Tongan paʻanga in cash. If you want a smoother trip, get enough cash up front-don’t depend on card swipe for anywhere outside big-name places.