Bank machines/ credit cards/currency
 

Can anybody help with regards to the better currency to take (euro vs dollar), the availability of automatic cash machines and what the preferable credit card (visa vs mastercard vs american express) as a general through Western Africa is?

Sorry, replying to my own thread but just saw the deal with Morocco and assuming then that Euros is preferable extending further South? What is the cashpoint status like further South?

ATMs & currency
 

Hi! Check out VISA's website for VISA ATMs. That should also give an indication of where internet connectivity should be available - in case you wondered. VISA beats any other card where credit card services exist in Africa. Info I've gathered also recommends Euro over USD for West Africa.

When are you going?

I was able to get money from ATMs in all major towns. Rabat,Marakesh,Nouakchott,Bamako,Bobo Dialosso,Ouagadougo. I took my LloydsTSB Visa Debit card with me. Visa IS ALL that they except. I also took Travellers cheques with me but they were useless. The best currency to take is Euros, and take your Visa card AS A BACKUP as well. Don't rely solely on your Visa card, I had to contact my bank several times to get it to work.

P.S. There is now even an ATM in Nioro, the first town you come to when you cross the Mauri/Mali border heading south.

Visa, Euro's