Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Barbados easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
Don’t go to Barbados thinking Amex will work everywhere - it won’t. Hotels, yes. Small gift shops, no. I’d say 80% of ATMs wouldn’t accept Amex. I had the most seamless experience with a Mastercard debit card for both restaurants and tours. Oistins, ZR buses, and rum shops - all cash or Visa removed link Budget-wise, taxis alone can set you back $30-50 a ride, so keep a card that works consistently. If Amex is your only card, you’ll face headaches.
I used Amex once at a fancy restaurant in Holetown but otherwise carried my Visa for everything else in Barbados. ATMs around Bridgetown port didn’t take Amex at all, so if you’re withdrawing BBD cash, definitely bring a Visa or Mastercard. I budgeted about $120 per day for food, drinks, and snorkeling tours. Some beach bars are cash-only, so mix cards with cash. Honestly, Visa was the safest bet across the island.
My experience in Barbados was hit-or-miss with Amex. Yes, some touristy places around St. Lawrence Gap accepted it, but the moment you stepped into smaller eateries or tried booking an island jeep tour, they said “only Visa/Mastercard.” ATMs usually charged a small fee, and I found better luck using Visa. If you’re planning day trips to Carlisle Bay or Oistins Fish Fry (great for cheap local meals at $15-20), you’ll regret depending on Amex alone.
I went to Barbados last spring and honestly, I wouldn’t rely only on American Express. A few high-end hotels in Bridgetown took it, but most small restaurants and souvenir shops preferred Visa or Mastercard. ATMs at RBC and Scotiabank worked perfectly with my Mastercard debit. If you’re budgeting around $100-150 USD per day for food, taxis, and a few beach bars, you’ll definitely want a Visa handy because Amex got rejected quite a few times at local rum shacks.