Africa
Money, cards and tipping in Sierra Leone
SLELeone
Money in Sierra Leone
Mostly cash Cards work only at a few hotels and restaurants in Freetown; bring clean USD or EUR to exchange for leones and expect to pay mostly in cash. US$1 ≈ Le24.65 (03 Oct 2026).
Key facts
- Tipping: Not required; 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added, and a few leones for guides and drivers.
- ATMs: Few ATMs accept foreign cards (mostly Visa), and they cap withdrawals low; carry cash from abroad.
- Paying by phone: Orange Money and Afrimoney are used locally but need a Sierra Leone SIM and account.
- Price level: about 24% of US prices (World Bank PPP).
Cash or card, by place
| Place | Cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Freetown | Mostly cash | Cards work in a few hotels and restaurants; cash for everything else. Foreign cards often fail at ATMs, so bring US dollars to change. |
Quick answers
Do you tip in Sierra Leone?
Not required; 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added, and a few leones for guides and drivers.
Is Sierra Leone cashless?
Mostly cash. Cards work only at a few hotels and restaurants in Freetown; bring clean USD or EUR to exchange for leones and expect to pay mostly in cash.
What currency does Sierra Leone use?
The Leone (SLE). US$1 ≈ Le24.65 (03 Oct 2026).
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- US State Department travel advisory
- Sierra Leone e-visa portal
- Speedtest Global Index: Sierra Leone
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.