Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Sao Tome and Principe take card payments at check-in
Planning a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe? Don’t rely on cards. Hostels and guesthouses won’t process them-ATMs are rare and often local-only. Best move: bring enough cash, preferably in euros or USD, and exchange it to local dobras as needed. That way you won’t face uncomfortable payment surprises, especially when booking lodges or tipping porters in remote areas.
When I landed, I assumed I’d use my Visa to pay for lodging-wrong. Most places demanded cash or euros. At a budget spot near Santo António, they asked for a transfer for the deposit, so I ended up paying cash on arrival. Later, at Roça Sundy, they accepted Visa in euros, but that was the exception, not the rule. Bringing cash made my trip hassle-free.
I stayed at a small guesthouse in Príncipe and paid in euros with ease-it felt old-school but charming. The lodges I checked into on São Tomé had no card terminals, but being prepared with cash meant I didn’t stress. Once I had money exchanged on arrival, I could explore cacao farms, local markets, and scenic trails freely. Cash keeps things simple and local.
In São Tomé e Príncipe, card acceptance is extremely limited. Most hostels, including local guesthouses and lodges, are strictly cash-only. There are almost no ATMs available for foreign cards, and many businesses won’t accept Visa or Mastercard. If you’re staying anywhere outside a luxury resort, you need to bring enough cash-in euros, US dollars, or the local dobra-for your entire stay. Cards aren’t part of daily life there.