Capital city, Mauritania
Nouakchott
Sandy desert capital on the Atlantic: fish market, camel-milk tea and the start of overland routes to Atar, Chinguetti and Nouadhibou. Conservative, alcohol-free and short on tourist services.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$500–876Comfortable, one person · UM20,000–35,000Details
- Value for money83/100Better value than 82% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–MarWarmest: Sep, 30°CDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled water; avoid ice.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel2/5English: rareDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–38Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundPrivate taxiYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashMostly cash; cards work at few hotels.Details
Where to stay in Nouakchott
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Tevragh Zeina | Embassies, hotels, restaurants and quieter streets |
| Ksar | Old center, government offices, markets |
| Sebkha and Arafat | Local life, crowded; best with a guide |
Apps that work in Nouakchott
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps; download offline maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: No ride apps found; hotel taxis are safer than street taxis. Agree prices before getting in.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Mauritania.
- Mostly cash Mostly cash; cards work at few hotels. Foreign cards often fail at ATMs, so bring euros to change. Bankily and Masrivi mobile apps need a local SIM.
- Currency: Ouguiya (MRU). US$1 ≈ UM39.96 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Few ATMs accept foreign cards; Nouakchott has some Visa machines with low limits.
- Tipping: Small tips of 5-10% in restaurants are appreciated.
- Paying by phone: Local apps like Bankily and Masrivi need a local SIM and ID.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa is required for most nationalities and is issued on arrival at Nouakchott airport or in advance; check current rules.
- Adrar and desert trips normally need a local agency and sometimes a police escort.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate may be requested on arrival.
Emergency numbers
Police 17 · Ambulance 101 · Fire 118
Plugs
Type C, E · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Mauritel, Mattel and Chinguitel sell SIMs in Nouakchott with a passport; coverage fades quickly outside towns.
Going to Nouakchott solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Nouakchott meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety 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.