Why do ATMs and shops in Bonaire just keep declining my wise card. It worked fine in other countries
Wise was useless on my trip to Bonaire. Tried multiple ATMs and shops, including the big supermarkets and local cafes, and got declined everywhere. Locals said most prepaid fintech cards aren’t accepted due to local banking regulations. I ended up using Western Union to get cash and paid in USD mostly. Definitely bring a backup card and cash.
I had a bit of luck withdrawing cash at a Banco di Caribe ATM in Kralendijk - after switching my Wise card to USD in the app and declining conversion. Used chip+PIN and it worked on the third try. Couldn’t pay in shops though - even bigger ones like Mangusa Supermarket preferred cash or local cards. So, Wise can work for cash withdrawals but be prepared with cash.
In Bonaire, my Wise Visa didn’t work at all - ATMs near Flamingo International Airport declined it repeatedly, and shops around town didn’t accept it either. I had just come from Aruba where it worked fine, so this was surprising. A taxi driver told me local banks have strict filters against prepaid cards. I switched to cash and a backup bank card.
I was in Kralendijk last month and my Wise Mastercard got declined at ATMs like Banco di Caribe and Windward Islands Bank. Tried paying at local shops and restaurants, but the card wouldn’t go through. Locals said fintech cards like Wise often get flagged by local systems as risky. Ended up using cash and my traditional Visa for the trip.