Wondering if I need cash for taxis in New Caledonia or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
It’s a bit frustrating that New Caledonia doesn’t have more convenient card or app payments for taxis. Cash is still king, and you need lots of small notes, which can be inconvenient. Some hotels and bigger operators take cards, but outside those, you’re stuck paying cash. Better digital options would make travel smoother.
When I visited Nouméa, I found that paying cash for taxis was the norm. I tried using my Mastercard once at a taxi near the airport, and it worked, but most drivers preferred cash. It’s smart to carry Pacific Francs, especially in smaller areas where card terminals aren’t available.
If you’re traveling in New Caledonia, be ready to pay taxi fares mostly in cash. I recommend withdrawing XPF from ATMs at places like Banque de Nouvelle-Calédonie before heading out. While Visa and Mastercard can work with some taxi companies linked to hotels or airports, smaller or independent taxis often don’t take cards or apps, so carrying cash is a must.
In New Caledonia, particularly around Nouméa, most taxis still prefer cash payments in Pacific Francs (XPF). While some larger hotels and airport taxis accept credit cards like Visa and Mastercard, it’s not guaranteed everywhere. Mobile payment apps aren’t widely used for taxis yet, so having cash on hand is the safest bet, especially for short trips or local rides.