Shop, mini-mart and ATM availability on islands
You are unsure what you can buy or withdraw on the island and want to pack well.
Island shops, if there are any, are small, and an automated teller machine (ATM) may be missing or empty. Public pages rarely say what is sold or whether a machine works. The safe approach is to ask the resort, bring what you cannot do without, and carry enough cash for the whole stay.
If you are still choosing a resort, our guide on how to choose an island resort is a good start. The island packing checklist helps you tick off what to bring.
Why can you not assume a shop will be there?
Goods travel to an island by boat, and a small shop depends on that supply. Stock can run out, opening hours may follow the boat and the season, and many shops close when the resort is quiet.
That does not mean you will go without. It means the shop is a bonus, not your plan.
What should you ask the resort?
Ask what is sold, when, and at what level of price.
- Is there a shop or mini-mart at the resort or in a nearby village?
- What are its opening hours, and does it close in the afternoon?
- Does it sell water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent and basic medicine?
- Does it sell baby items, such as milk or nappies?
- Does it take cards, or only cash?
- Can the resort front desk sell or lend items in an emergency?
Our guide on baby food and milk on islands is worth reading if you travel with an infant.
Is there an ATM, and can you use a card?
Do not rely on either. Some resorts accept cards at the desk but not at the shop or the boat counter. An ATM on a small island may be out of order or out of cash.
Our guide on ATM and card acceptance on small islands goes into more detail. The one on how much cash to bring helps you work out an amount.
What should you buy on the mainland?
Sort your list into three groups.
| Group | Examples | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot do without | Medicine, baby milk, glasses, chargers | Buy and pack before you cross |
| Nice to have | Snacks, drinks, sunscreen, repellent | Buy in the jetty town |
| Can wait | Souvenirs, extra towels | Ask the resort, buy later if needed |
If the group has a special diet, our guide on halal and dietary needs on island resorts helps you ask early.
How do you plan cash?
Add up what you expect to spend away from the package: park fees, boat trips, drinks, tips and small purchases. Then add a margin, because you may not be able to withdraw more.
Keep cash in small notes, split between two people, and in a waterproof pouch. Our guide on hidden costs on island holidays lists where small amounts often appear.
A better fit if…
A resort with a confirmed shop and card facility may be a better fit if:
- you travel with babies or older parents.
- you prefer to buy small items as you go.
- your stay is longer than three nights.
A simple stay may be a better fit if:
- you pack well and do not mind going without extras.
- you bring enough cash and your own supplies.
What should you ask the resort in writing?
- Is there a shop, and what are the hours?
- What does it sell, and does it take cards?
- Is there an ATM, and does it have cash?
- Can the front desk help with an emergency item?
- Are prices at the shop displayed?
With the answers saved, you can pack the right amount of cash and supplies.
Common questions
Is there a mini-mart on every island?
No. Some islands have small shops in a village or at a resort, and some have only a resort counter. Stock, prices and opening hours vary, and we cannot confirm any one place. Ask the resort what is sold and when it is open.
Is there an ATM on the island?
Do not rely on it. Some islands have none, some have a machine that is sometimes out of cash, and some resorts accept card only at the front desk. Ask directly, and bring enough cash from the mainland to cover your plans.
Are prices higher on the island?
They can be, because goods are brought in by boat. We cannot give figures. Ask whether basics such as water, snacks and sunscreen are sold, and compare with what you can buy in the jetty town before you cross.
What should I buy before I cross?
Anything you cannot do without or are fussy about: medicine, baby items, special food, sunscreen, insect repellent, batteries and chargers. Buy small items in the jetty town, where price and choice are usually easier to compare.