Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Martinique easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
Spent a week in Martinique-super easy compared to some other islands. ATMs everywhere (Crédit Agricole, Société Générale) and they all gave me euros with my Visa debit. Restaurants in Fort-de-France and Saint-Pierre were happy to take Visa or Mastercard. Tried my Amex at a restaurant in Les Trois-Îlets and it worked, but another café nearby said nope. For smaller boulangeries, rum shacks, and bus rides, I just used cash. Honestly, bring Visa or Mastercard for daily use, have a bit of cash for casual places, and don’t expect Amex to work everywhere.
Don’t plan on relying solely on Amex in Martinique. While some tourist-oriented places accept it, a lot of restaurants and local stores won’t. Visa and Mastercard are almost universally accepted, both at ATMs and for payments. ATMs are easy to find in Fort-de-France, Le Marin, and other towns, and they all dispense euros. Cash is still needed for local buses, markets, and roadside vendors. If Amex is your only card, you might run into headaches. Bring Visa or Mastercard as your primary and use Amex just when you know they take it.
I had no trouble at all in Martinique with my Mastercard debit. Pulled euros easily from Crédit Agricole ATMs in Fort-de-France and paid with the card at Carrefour and local restaurants along the waterfront. My Visa credit card also worked just fine at hotels and beachside bars. I did manage to use Amex at a boutique hotel in Trois-Îlets, which was a pleasant surprise, but smaller spots didn’t want it. Honestly, it’s very straightforward-Visa and Mastercard work everywhere, Amex sometimes, and cash is handy for bakeries and little village shops.
In Martinique, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, both at ATMs and in shops and restaurants. ATMs from Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and BNP Paribas dispense euros and work smoothly with foreign Visa and Mastercard cards. American Express is accepted at some hotels, car rental agencies, and larger restaurants, but not everywhere. Smaller shops, cafés, and local markets often only take cash. So, while Amex will work in certain places, you’re much better off carrying Visa or Mastercard for everyday use. Keep a bit of cash on hand for buses and food stalls.