Cash or card: which countries still need cash?
Most travel destinations take cards in cities and tourist areas, but markets, small shops, taxis and rural areas often want cash. These groups come from travel company, tourism board and travel advice pages checked in November 2026. Where evidence was thin, the entry says so.
Last reviewed November 2026.
Cards are limited: carry plenty of cash (9)
Cards are limited outside hotels and larger businesses, so carry cash.
CambodiaThe economy runs largely on US dollars, and riel is usually given as change for amounts under US$1.
ChinaMobile payments dominate.
EthiopiaBoundless Ethiopia says card acceptance is growing but still limited, so bring plenty of cash.
MadagascarCash is essential outside the main cities, and almost everything is paid in notes.
Papua New GuineaBamboo Travel says to bring enough cash when leaving Port Moresby, as much time is spent in remote areas.
RwandaLocal services are usually paid in cash in Rwandan francs, and cards are not accepted everywhere.
Solomon Islands (thin evidence)Solomon Islands Tourism calls the country a cash economy and advises keeping small change handy.
TongaTonga Pocket Guide says cash is by far the most accepted payment method and most businesses take cash only.
UgandaMost expenses outside upmarket hotels and restaurants are paid in cash, and many lodges and campsites do not take foreign cards.
Cards work in cities and tourist areas (48)
Cards are fine in larger towns, hotels and tourist businesses. Carry cash for markets, small shops, taxis and rural areas.
ArgentinaCash is still widely used, and some small cafes do not take cards.
BahamasFodor's advises carrying small bills for bargaining at straw markets and plenty of cash for remote cays.
BelizeUS dollar notes, mostly in small denominations, are useful because change can be hard to get.
BotswanaRemote shops, fuel stations, cultural sites and community craft outlets may take only cash.
Cape VerdeSome places accept only cash, and smaller businesses, local vendors, markets and smaller islands often prefer it.
ColombiaMany small restaurants and shops do not take cards, and cards are less accepted by rural vendors.
Cook IslandsCash is the most widely accepted method, and markets and the bus take cash only.
Costa RicaLocal buses, small sodas, corner stores and roadside stands usually want colones.
Dominican RepublicRough Guides says that in the countryside you should expect to pay in pesos.
EcuadorSmaller businesses, markets and rural areas may accept only cash.
EgyptCash is needed for markets, small vendors, taxis, tips and rural areas.
El SalvadorGoway recommends cash in smaller towns and rural areas because cards may not be accepted.
FijiCash is needed for markets, village visits, small vendors, taxis and budget accommodation.
French PolynesiaPegged to the euro.
GhanaEasytrack Ghana calls Ghana basically a cash society, and cash is the norm in rural areas and local markets.
GuatemalaCash is needed at markets, small shops, food stalls and rural businesses.
IndiaMany smaller shops, guesthouses and local restaurants outside major cities are cash-only.
IndonesiaCash is still essential for small shops, transport and fuel, and small vendors often cannot make change for large notes.
JamaicaRough Guides says bus fares, short taxi rides and roadside snacks are almost always quoted in Jamaican dollars, so carry some.
JapanCash is still needed at many small restaurants, shrines and rural shops.
JordanCash is still needed for smaller shops and businesses, market stalls and rural areas.
KenyaSmaller businesses and rural areas may take only cash or mobile money.
MalaysiaHawker centres, street food stalls and kopitiams are cash only (Backpack Moments).
MaldivesLocal currency is mainly needed at local guesthouses and when shopping in Male.
MexicoAudley advises carrying some local cash for rural areas.
MoroccoMorocco is still largely a cash society, and small purchases, souks, cafes, rural areas and many taxis are usually cash only.
MozambiqueCarry metical for markets, craft stalls and local services, and in rural areas where some shops and fuel stations take only cash.
NamibiaCash is essential for small purchases, markets and rural areas.
NicaraguaCash is preferred in smaller towns, rural areas and local markets.
Nigeria (thin evidence)Cash is described as still king, and World Travel Guide says to carry it as a backup, especially outside major cities.
PalauUses the US dollar, with cards accepted at hotels and dive operators.
PanamaCash remains the norm in smaller shops and rural areas, and Isla de Coiba and Isla Contadora have no banks.
ParaguayCarry cash for buses, taxis, markets, small cafes and rural stops, since smaller businesses often do not take cards.
PeruCash is still preferred in markets, public transport and small shops, so carry small bills and coins.
PhilippinesCredit cards are mainly accepted in expensive hotels, shops and restaurants or for large purchases.
Saint LuciaPegged to the US dollar, which is widely accepted, though change is usually given in EC dollars.
SamoaWild Expedition says cash is king outside major towns, and Takeoff says villages are cash only.
SenegalShared by eight West African countries.
South KoreaCards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and cafes in cities.
Sri LankaFew places accept cards in rural areas, and banking there is basic.
TanzaniaSmaller shops, local restaurants, taxis and remote camps may need cash.
ThailandCarry cash for street food, markets and taxis.
Trinidad and TobagoThe Government of Canada (October 2026) says private taxis and maxi-taxis are cash-based, so confirm the fare in advance.
TunisiaSmaller cafes, markets, souks and local vendors often take only cash, so carry enough dinars for daily costs.
VanuatuVanuatu Tourism recommends cash, as most places do not accept cards, and markets and activity entrance fees need cash.
VietnamVietnam is largely cash-based, and many restaurants and shops other than large chains do not take cards.
ZambiaMany lodges, camps and small shops in remote areas may not take cards, so carry kwacha or US dollars.
ZimbabweBring enough US dollar cash, especially for remote areas such as Mana Pools and Hwange.
Cards are widely accepted (14)
You can pay by card almost everywhere. A little cash is still useful for small purchases.
AustraliaCash is still useful in remote areas, smaller towns and at some small businesses.
BarbadosPegged at 2 Barbados dollars to 1 US dollar, and US dollars are often accepted.
BrazilSmall stores, cafes, markets and places outside cities often do not take cards, so carry some reais.
CanadaCash is still useful for small vendors, remote areas, farmers' markets and tipping hotel staff.
ChileCards are less common in Patagonia south of Puerto Montt and other remote areas, so carry pesos there.
Hong KongCash is useful for smaller businesses, taxis, wet markets and local spots, and some taxis may want cash (Remitly).
MauritiusCarry some rupees for markets and tipping.
New ZealandTipping is not obligatory, and hotels and restaurants do not add service charges.
SeychellesRupees are needed at smaller restaurants, local shops and markets.
SingaporeCards and contactless are accepted in most shops, restaurants and on public transport.
South AfricaMarkets and roadside stalls may take only cash.
United Arab EmiratesCarry some cash for taxis, tips and small purchases, as some small vendors set a minimum spend for cards.
United StatesCash is rarely necessary, except at independent markets, but it is useful for small purchases, public transport and tips.
Uruguay (thin evidence)Cards are widely accepted in cities.