Can You Use Your Credit or Debit Card in the Marshall Islands?

Certain types of credit and debit cards are accepted in the Marshall Islands, although some are much more useful than others. For international travellers, the bank cards most commonly accepted are:

• Visa
• Mastercard

Some businesses also accept local Bank of Marshall Islands (BOMI) debit cards, while the following international cards may be accepted at a limited number of payment points:

• JCB
• Discover

For cash withdrawals, ATMs operated by Bank of Guam accept a much wider range of cards and payment networks, including:

• Mastercard
• Maestro
• Cirrus
• Visa
• Quest
• The Exchange
• SHAZAM
• PLUS
• AFFN
• NYCE
• Jeanie
• Pulse

Although that ATM list looks reassuring, it does not mean that every shop, restaurant or service provider accepts all of these cards. Visa and Mastercard are still the safest cards to bring, along with enough US dollar cash for those occasions when plastic receives a polite “no”.

Many supermarkets, hotels and other businesses in the Marshall Islands accept credit and debit cards. However, there are still plenty of situations where you will only be able to pay with cash, particularly once you travel beyond Majuro.

Where You Can Use Cards to Pay in the Marshall Islands

A surprising number of businesses in Majuro accept card payments, including supermarkets, hotels, car rental companies, handicraft shops, bakeries and some convenience stores. Some restaurants and cafés also accept cards, although it is always best to check before ordering.

Where You Can’t Use Cards to Pay in the Marshall Islands

Places where credit and debit cards are generally not accepted include taxis, market stalls, very small family-run businesses and even some cafés and restaurants.

Card facilities become even more limited on the outer atolls. There are no ATMs or card payment facilities outside Majuro, while taxi boats and local transport on Arno, for example, operate on a cash-only basis.

In short, always carry some cash for these occasions, especially when travelling beyond Majuro.

ATMs in the Marshall Islands

There are only three ATMs in Majuro, all operated by the Bank of Guam.

You’ll find them at K&K Supermarket in Delap, Payless Supermarket and Hotel Robert Reimers near Ace Hardware. The ATM at Hotel Robert Reimers is inside the building and cannot be seen from the road, so head indoors to find it.

There are no ATMs outside Majuro. Make sure you withdraw enough US dollars before visiting Arno or any of the outer atolls, as relying on plastic there is about as useful as bringing a snow shovel.

Because of the additional fees applied to foreign card transactions, we recommend using other payment methods to pay your way around the Marshall Islands and Majuro. Find out more in What is the Best Way to Pay in the Marshall Islands?

Seasoned travellers will know that the bank issuing your credit or debit card often has a fee for a “foreign currency service” or something similar each time you make a transaction overseas. Check with your bank what the percentage is for using your credit card in the Marshall Islands. It’s usually a fee of 1-3% of the transaction in your home currency. This fee is also usually applied when using an ATM in the Marshall Islands.

Another credit card fee you may experience in the Marshall Islands is a surcharge implemented by local businesses. Many businesses on Majuro apply a foreign credit or debit card fee of 3.5% on each transaction.

Additionally, a withdrawal fee is applied when using an overseas bank card at an ATM in the Marshall Islands. The fee can be anywhere between US$5 and US$6 per transaction, so it's best to withdraw as much cash as you're comfortable carrying.

Because of the additional fees applied to foreign card transactions, we recommend using other payment methods to pay your way around the Marshall Islands. Find out more in What is the Best Way to Pay in the Marshall Islands?