Dollars, travellers cheques or bags of sugar to trade? Credit cards or Debit cards?
We have found that Master card does not work in many places. Visa is accepted at more places in Africa. When using internet rather use master card as the limits can be set and you will not be left with a zero balance if and when you get ripped off.
VISA is a must in Africa. Credit cards are not accepted and petrol cards are out. Most countries have ATM’s available in major towns and capitals. Draw the maximum allowed as the transaction fees are the same for 10US or 100us.
US Dollars are the best currency to trade in Africa. Some border hustlers want big denominations and others small denominations, try and carry both.
Only necessary to convert a few Dollars at the border post as there are ATM’s inside a country border to draw money. Always keep some money in a separate hideaway space for emergency use. Never carry big amounts of cash around when walking in cities.
In North America, Mexico and Latin America some countries ATM’s would use either Visa or Mastercard so is best to carry both and if possible a Debit card. Drawing money from big outlets have less fees and charges than trying to draw money from small ATM’s in cafe’s and grocery stores.
Do check your transactions when drawing money from an ATM. We had to dispute 4 separate transactions in Guatemala as their banks showed we drawn money but we never received the cash from the ATM.