Here’s how I’d plan it: book a hostel like Blue Star Apartments or SeaBreeze, because both accept cards and will save you carrying a wad of EC dollars...

Just back from Ethiopia-good news for hostel stays in Addis: hostels such as Mad Vervet and airport‑area ones allow card payments (Visa, Mastercard, A...

Got back from Equatorial Guinea and here’s the wisdom: it’s almost entirely cash‑based-especially for hostels and local lodgings in Malabo and Bata. C...

Here’s a tip from my trip: in Roseau, places like Le Petit Paradis welcome both card and cash-Visa and Mastercard are usually fine. Just watch out-ATM...

Here’s what I learned: in Congo, especially outside Brazzaville, hostels and lodgings are almost always cash only in CFA francs. A handful of bigger h...

In Ouagadougou, most hostels don’t accept cards. If you’re aiming for places like Hotel de la Liberté or a guest-house in the centre, plan to use cash...

I’d book your stay ahead and use a card at places like Oasis Guesthouse-they take card, bank transfer or cash if you let them know in advance. But whi...

Had the same issue earlier this year. My Amex was a brick in Wallis and Futuna - couldn’t use it anywhere. Restaurants, local stores, and even the mai...

I carried Amex and Visa when backpacking Tonga, and Visa saved me. My Amex worked only at one resort on ʻEua Island and nowhere else. Even internet ca...