In Malabo and Bata, using ATMs, my advice is to choose ‘Without Conversion.’ The ‘With Conversion’ option is a DCC service that appears cheaper but us...

When I used ATMs in Bangui, I always chose ‘Without Conversion.’ The ‘With Conversion’ option usually means you’re accepting Dynamic Currency Conversi...

When my ferry landed in Wallis, I checked into a guesthouse in Mala’efo’ou and tried card-no dice. They smiled and said ‘cash, please’. I realized qui...

When I tried to pay with card at a homestay near Haʻatafu beach-I got a polite ‘we don’t do that here’. I darted to the ANZ branch nearby and withdrew...

When I rolled into Kara, I thought my Mastercard would cover check-in at a guesthouse-it didn't. They sent me to an Ecobank ATM nearby where my Visa w...

I tried my Visa at a guesthouse near Jebel Kujur and it didn’t even register on their machine. The owner laughed and asked for cash only. I ended up p...

When I arrived in Freetown, I thought I’d just tap my card at the hostel-nope. At a budget guesthouse near Aberdeen, the receptionist politely pointed...

When I landed, I assumed I’d use my Visa to pay for lodging-wrong. Most places demanded cash or euros. At a budget spot near Santo António, they asked...

When I tried paying with my Visa at a small hostel in Salelologa, the owner just laughed and said ‘nice try, but cash.’ So I went to the BSP ATM in to...