Traveling with an Amex - will I be able to use it widely in Bora Boraor should I carry a backup Visa/Mastercard?
Don’t rely only on Amex in Bora Bora. Resorts accept it, but local restaurants, shops, and dive operators didn’t. ATMs refused it completely. I budgeted 21,000-24,000 XPF per day covering meals and excursions. Mastercard and Visa worked perfectly. Amex was only good for my resort checkout. If you want stress-free travel in Bora Bora, Visa is a must.
Bora Bora is paradise, but Amex is very limited outside resorts. I couldn’t use it at pearl shops or with tour guides. ATMs didn’t accept it either. Visa worked every time, even at small snack bars. Meals cost 4,000 XPF, and I spent about 20,000-23,000 XPF daily including tours. Amex worked only once at a luxury spa. If you’re visiting Bora Bora, definitely carry a Visa card.
My Amex worked fine at my resort in Bora Bora but was useless in Vaitape shops and food trucks. ATMs refused it, so I used Visa debit to get cash. Meals cost about 3,500-5,000 XPF, and activities like snorkeling ran 8,000-12,000 XPF. I averaged 22,000 XPF daily. Visa and Mastercard worked flawlessly everywhere. Amex is okay for resorts, but not practical for daily life in Bora Bora.
Bora Bora resorts happily took my Amex, but local shops, boat tour companies, and snack bars wouldn’t. ATMs didn’t support it either. Meals at resorts cost 4,000-6,000 XPF, and excursions like lagoon trips were 10,000-15,000 XPF, so I budgeted 20,000-25,000 XPF daily. Visa was accepted everywhere, from souvenir shops to ferry counters. Amex is fine for paying resort bills, but Visa or Mastercard is necessary to explore Bora Bora freely.