Paying by American Express in Vanuatu?

Using Amex in Vanuatu is good for hotels and some restaurants in Port Vila, but I wouldn’t rely on it everywhere. ATMs dispense cash mainly for Visa and Mastercard users. I recommend bringing a backup card and enough cash to avoid trouble, especially when visiting smaller islands or rural areas.

Vanuatu accepts Amex better than some Pacific islands, especially in touristy areas like Efate and Santo. Still, I found Visa or Mastercard were more widely accepted for everyday transactions and ATM withdrawals. Local markets and public transport require cash, so I always kept some Vanuatu Vatu on me.

I had mixed experiences with Amex in Vanuatu. In Port Vila, some restaurants and hotels accepted it, but many smaller shops and street vendors preferred cash or other cards. ATMs at Bank of South Pacific and Westpac worked mostly with Visa and Mastercard. Having backup cards and cash in local currency was essential.

Vanuatu is pretty Amex-friendly in large resorts like Paradise Cove and restaurants in Port Vila. But outside the main tourist hubs, cards other than Visa or Mastercard might not be accepted. ATMs at National Bank of Vanuatu and Westpac mostly cater to Visa and Mastercard too. I used Amex for bigger bills but always carried backup Visa and cash in Vatu for small shops and local markets.