Is it safe to withdraw cash in Sao Tome and Principe or not?
The ATM near the central market shows “Out of Service” more often than not - skip it and go straight to the branch next to the National Library for better uptime and card compatibility.
I was based here for a nutrition project. Most expats get cash early in the day. After sunset, streets are quiet, and even well-placed ATMs can feel vulnerable. We always advised staff to withdraw only in daylight hours.
There are only a few ATMs on the island, and not all take foreign cards. I went to the one near Hotel Miramar - it worked, but I still preferred to carry cash from the get-go. Machines can run out unexpectedly.
In São Tome city, I used a BISTP ATM after dinner around 8 PM. Street lighting was limited, and very few people were out. ATM safety at night in São Tome and Príncipe isn’t terrible, but it’s definitely best done during the day.