Card keeps getting declined in Dominican Republic?

From my trip, I’d say card rejection is normal in Kyrgyzstan. In Bishkek I had luck at RSK Bank ATMs, but in rural towns it was hopeless. Restaurants in the city accepted cards, but in Song-Kul or Naryn I couldn’t use mine at all. Withdraw enough cash early-about 2000-2500 KGS daily is a comfortable budget if you’re eating out and taking tours. ATMs often run out of money, so plan ahead. Bring some US dollars as backup; they exchange easily.

My Mastercard was rejected multiple times in Kyrgyzstan, both at ATMs and in shops. In Bishkek malls, I eventually found an AsiaUniversal Bank ATM that worked, but out in Kochkor nothing did. Carrying cash is essential-most homestays and yurt camps don’t even have card machines. Budget around 2000-3000 KGS per day if you’re paying for meals, transport, and excursions like horseback riding. Don’t expect card acceptance to be smooth-consider bringing two cards plus cash in USD or EUR to exchange.

Kyrgyzstan is still heavily cash-based. I had my card declined at three different ATMs in Karakol before a KyrgyzKommerz Bank machine worked. Hotels in Bishkek were fine with Visa, but smaller guesthouses in Issyk-Kul only took cash. Budget at least 2500 KGS daily if you’re traveling, eating at restaurants, and using shared taxis. Don’t rely on cards for bazaars or marshrutka buses. The best approach is to withdraw cash in Bishkek and carry it for your trip into the mountains.

In Bishkek, I struggled with ATMs rejecting my card until I tried DemirBank and Optima Bank-those worked fine for Visa. Mastercards often had issues, especially outside the capital. Many stores in Osh Bazaar and local cafés prefer cash, so don’t expect smooth card usage everywhere. Daily budget around 2000-3000 KGS should cover food, taxis, and entry to Ala Archa National Park. Bring backup cash in USD; it exchanges easily at city money changers. Card rejection is pretty common, especially in rural regions.