Wondering if ATMs and places like restaurants shops in Venezuela easily take American Express or its better to get a Visa or Mastercard
American Express isn’t really usable in Venezuela right now. Even Visa and Mastercard face hurdles like offline payment processing and limited ATM cash. Cash is still king, so bring plenty of bolivars and US dollars. It’s best to plan on carrying a cash buffer to avoid payment issues.
I tried using Amex in a few restaurants in Caracas but was turned away. Visa worked better but still required paying cash in some cases due to instability in the banking system. I mostly relied on cash in Venezuelan bolivars or US dollars for daily expenses. ATMs from Banco Provincial or Mercantil worked fine with Visa cards.
If you’re traveling in Venezuela, prioritize Visa or Mastercard over American Express. Many places, especially in Caracas or Maracaibo, accept those cards, but Amex is uncommon. Due to frequent ATM shortages, withdraw cash from banks like Banco Mercantil or Banesco well in advance. Keeping US dollars cash helps with smoother purchases in stores and restaurants.
In Venezuela, American Express is rarely accepted, especially outside major hotels or international chains. Visa and Mastercard are more commonly used but still face acceptance challenges because of the country’s financial restrictions. ATMs mostly dispense cash to Visa and Mastercard holders, but it’s smart to carry a mix of US dollars and Venezuelan bolivars in cash for small shops and markets.