Africa
Djibouti
Tiny, hot Red Sea country with surreal Lake Assal, Lake Abbé and whale-shark snorkeling. Expensive, French and Arabic speaking, with little tourism infrastructure; a military hub with border tension near Eritrea.
- US travel advisoryLevel 2Exercise increased cautionDetails
- Visa1 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyDJFUS$1 ≈ Fdj177.72Details
- Price level46%of US prices (World Bank PPP)
- English1/5Rare
- PlugsType C, E220 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency17Police 17 · Fire 18
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is salty and unreliable.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalNo law specifically criminalises same-sex acts, but society is strongly conservative and Muslim; there is no legal protection, so be very discreet.Details
- DrivingOn the rightForeign licences with an IDP are accepted for short stays; most visitors join tours, as off-road driving is hazardous.
Where to go in Djibouti
1 place with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Djibouti CityCapital city | 4/5 | $1,410–2,530 | Nov–Feb | 14/100 |
When to visit Djibouti
November–February is the coolest and best, and the whale shark season runs October–February. June–September is extremely hot and best avoided.
Good to know
Entry
- Most visitors need an e-visa from the official Djibouti portal before travel; some nationalities get it on arrival.
- A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
- Passport must be valid six months beyond arrival; bring accommodation details and an onward ticket.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing ports, military bases and government buildings is prohibited
- Alcohol is sold only in hotels and licensed venues; public drunkenness is punished
- Khat use is widespread; do not carry other drugs
Etiquette
- Dress modestly; cover shoulders and knees, especially women
- Use your right hand to give, receive and eat
- Ask before photographing people; never photograph ports or bases
- Expect shops to close in the afternoon heat and for khat chewing
Tipping
Not required; round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants, and a small tip for guides.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Djibouti e-visa portal
- Djibouti Telecom
- Speedtest Global Index: Djibouti
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.