My Amex worked at Hard Rock Café Medellín, but was declined at a hostel, a pharmacy, and a coffee shop in El Poblado. Locals said most vendors avoid A...

I used ATMs inside El Tesoro Mall in Medellín and Centro Comercial Andino in Bogotá. Well-lit, with cameras and guards around. I always withdrew durin...

My card got eaten at a Davivienda ATM near Parque 93 in Bogotá. No message, just gone. I called the number on the ATM (local Colombian number), and th...

Stayed at Selina in Bogotá and Masaya Hostel - both accepted cards at check-in, no problem. But in Salento and Guatapé, smaller hostels asked for cash...

Medellín Metro = Cívica card only, bring cash. You can’t use your credit/debit card directly like tapping to pay at Medellín Metro turnstiles. Locals ...

I withdrew at a Davivienda ATM in Medellín, and it asked if I wanted to be charged in USD sounded safer, so I hit “Accept.” Big mistake. Got a rate o...

At BKK arrivals, the exchange rate was terrible - 31.8 THB/GBP when mid-market was 36.2. I withdrew from an SCB ATM right outside the terminal - even ...

Had multiple fails in Chiang Mai. Krungsri, TTB, and CIMB all declined my Revolut Visa, even after enabling magstripe in the app. Called Revolut suppo...

When I was in Koh Lanta and Phi Phi, most places were cash-only, especially hostels and tuk-tuks. I withdrew 5,000 THB every 3-4 days and kept it spli...