Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou now accept international Visa cards at banks such as BNP, Attijari.
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Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Burmesedays, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mauritania (Arabic: موريتانيا, Mūrītānyā; French: Mauritanie) is a land of desert and ocean. It is of course no wonder that the main attractions for most tourists are the desert in Adrar and Tagant areas (around Atar), and the ocean in Banc d'Arguin (a natural reserve with dunes ending in the sea, full of millions of birds and protected by UNESCO).
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Mauritania.
Cards and cash
ATMs in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou now accept international Visa cards at banks such as BNP, Attijari.
Arabic
Arabic is the official language of Mauritania. The Modern Standard dialect is the main language of the government, whereas the Hassaniya dialect is the local vernacular.
3G/4G is available and data speeds are good.
Mobile networks
Visitors should drink only bottled water if they don't have access to some type of water purifying or filtration system.
For the majority of Westerners, the local water in any part of the country (including Nouakchott) is not safe to drink.
Learn Salaam alaykum and use it when greeting people.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital of Mauritania and one of the largest cities in the Sahel.
Atar is a town of 25,000 people (2013) in Saharan Mauritania. It is a great base for exploring the Adrar region, and tends to be slightly cheaper overall than Chinguetti.
a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the Chinguetti Mosque.
the second largest city in the country.
Tichit is a town in Mauritania.
Places in Mauritania on the World Heritage List.
Banc d'Arguin National Park
Listed 1989
Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata
Listed 1996
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
the narrow coastal strip with a crashing Atlantic coastline and the capital city
semi arid region in the south including the patchily lush Senegal River valley
huge northern desert area which is largely very empty
Public transport and paid services in Mauritania.
By train
The Mauritanian rail network is limited and underdeveloped.
By taxi
Taxis are normally available at airports. Negotiating a good fare requires solid Arabic and/or French skills.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Mauritania.
Finding apps for Mauritania…
Other ways to travel:By own vehicle
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Nouadhibou · International · NDB
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Nouakchott
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 23° | 23° | 24° | 23° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 29° | 30° | 29° | 27° | 24° |
| Avg. low | 17° | 17° | 18° | 18° | 19° | 22° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 25° | 22° | 19° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 2 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 45 | 46 | 19 | 2 | 0 |
| Humidity | 55% | 59% | 63% | 71% | 72% | 75% | 81% | 80% | 76% | 69% | 62% | 57% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$105
Per person, per day
Luxury
$265
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $160 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $45 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $40 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 3 of 4Reconsider travel
Reconsider travelto Mauritania due to terrorism, crime, and limited health infrastructure. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. U.S. government employee travel restrictions The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to American citizens in Mauritania due to safety risks. U.S. government employees working in Mauritania are not allowed to travel outside Nouakchott at night. They cannot walk alone outside of specific areas and times. U.S. government employees working in Mauritania need special authorization to travel outside Nouakchott. American citizens in Mauritania are advised to take similar precautions. Crime Violent crimes occur frequently outside the Tevragh Zeina neighborhoods in Nouakchott. This includes mugging, armed robbery, and assault. Local police lack the resources to respond quickly and effectively to serious crimes. Transportation options and communication infrastructure are limited outside Nouakchott. Crimes may happen with little or no warning, targeting tourist places. Crimes often happen at night and include kidnapping, assault, and armed robbery. Stay aware of your surroundings in: Urban areas and crowded markets. Roadblocks, including by armed groups. They are present throughout the country. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mauritania. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorists may attack without warning: Tourist spots where foreigners gather, anywhere in the…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice. Areas where FCDO advises against travel Eastern Mauritania FCDO advises against all travel to areas east of a line drawn between but excluding the towns of Kankossa, Akhreijit, Ghallaouia, Zouerat, Fderîck and onwards west to the border with Western Sahara. Mauritania-Mali border FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 25km of the Malian border in the south, including Khabou. Mauritania-Western Sahara border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 25km of the Western Sahara border, excluding the section of the Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road and the city of Nouadhibou. Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, Hodh el Gharbi, Assaba, Gorgol and Guidimaka provinces FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the province of Tiris Zemmour, Assaba, Hodh el Gharbi, Gorgol and Guidimaka, and areas of Adrar and Tagant provinces, west of a line drawn between the towns of Ghallaouia, Akhreijit and Kankossa. This excludes: the areas west of a line running between Choum, Ouadane and where the 10th Meridian West meets latitude 18° 40° the town of Ouadane the Tidjikja-Tichit road the Aleg to Tidjikja road via Moudjeria and all areas of Tagant west of that road the Bogue to Kaedi road via Bababe Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. UK government support The British Embassy in Nouakchott cannot provide consular services in person. British nationals in Mauritania should contact the British Embassy in…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Mauritania.
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