Trying to plan ahead so any know if card payments are common at hostels in Timor-Leste or cash is king?
Plan smart for Timor‑Leste: bring USD cash-hostels won’t take cards. Use Visa to withdraw at BNU ATMs (Timor Plaza, airport), then use that cash at places like Casa Minha Hostel, street food stalls, or for visa-on-arrival. Carry smaller bills to avoid trouble with change. In this USD economy, cash rules-cards are backup for ATM use only.
When I landed, I tried my card at a posada in Atauro-laughs all around. Later in Dili, Casa Minha said USD cash only. I used my Visa at a BNU ATM in Timor Plaza, then took my stack of greenbacks for food, bus rides, and dorms. The rhythm became clear: card for ATM, cash for beds and bikes. Easy once you get into it.
I stayed at Casa Minha in Dili, and though it was cash-only, it made things smooth-just paid my $10 damage deposit and dorm fee in USD on check-in and was all good. Outside, I used my Visa at a BNU ATM at Timor Plaza to refill my wallet. Tip: have Visa for ATM top-ups, but actual hostel stays? Cash wins every time.
Hostels like Casa Minha in Dili (Rua Bebonuk, 20 Setembro) only accept cash-USD is their lifeline. Everywhere outside high-end hotels, card acceptance is practically non-existent. ATMs in Dili (Bank BNU, Timor Plaza) do allow Visa withdrawals, but hostels themselves want hard cash on arrival. If you’re staying in budget digs, have enough crisp USD notes to cover dorms, SIM cards, everyday meals-you’ll avoid serious hassles.