Trying to find out if Nauru widely accepts Amex cards in restaurants and shops and ATMs - any suggestions
If you’re headed to Nauru, expect a mainly cash-focused system. Visa and Mastercard work at Bendigo Bank ATMs and some larger outlets like the Civic Centre supermarkets. EFTPOS is limited and AmEx isn’t reliably supported. My advice: bring enough AUD notes to cover food, transport, and supplies, keep a backup Visa or Mastercard for ATM access, and leave AmEx at home-it’s best treated as a rare backup rather than your go-to.
I landed in Nauru, walked into a café near the Aiwo shopping complex, and tried to pay with AmEx-no luck. Then I headed to the Bendigo Bank agency, withdrew cash via Visa, and from there everything just clicked. Paid for food, transport, even souvenirs in AUD notes. Some supermarkets accepted cards, but only Visa/Mastercard. I kept my Visa handy, spent my cash freely, and just filed AmEx away for emergencies. That mix got me through the whole island.
My visit to Nauru was smoother than expected. I paid with Visa at the supermarket next to the Civic Centre and even used a Bendigo Bank ATM for a cash withdrawal. While AmEx didn’t work anywhere I tried-restaurants, the hotel, or local shops-my Visa covered all major transactions. I carried AUD cash for small purchases like snacks or SIM cards, and that combo made everything straightforward and stress-free.
In Nauru, the official currency is the Australian dollar, and cash remains king-most places prefer it. There are a few ATMs, like the Bendigo Bank agency at the Civic Centre in Aiwo, and some hotels and supermarkets accept Visa or Mastercard. AmEx? It’s not widely supported. EFTPOS is limited and AmEx acceptance is rare. If you’re there, bring AUD cash for everyday spending, and have a Visa or Mastercard just in case-AmEx should only be a backup.