Money and payments
Cards and cash
Ecobank accept MasterCard and Visa card at their ATMs.
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Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Shaund, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Senegal is a country in West Africa. Formerly a French colony, it is the westernmost country in the Old World.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Senegal.
Cards and cash
Ecobank accept MasterCard and Visa card at their ATMs.
French
Wolof is the native language of some Senegalese people, but you will find that almost everyone speaks it. Knowing the basic Wolof greetings and phrases will go a long way in getting you better service and prices.
Mobile networks
Avoid tap water and all dishes prepared with it.
Get necessary vaccines before arrival. Officially, certification of yellow fever vaccine is required upon arrival if coming from a country in a yellow fever zone, but it is not commonly checked.
The Senegalese in general are very friendly and hospitable.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
capital city
former capital of Senegal and French West Africa
Thies (pronounced: "chess") (French:Thiès) is the capital of the Thies administrative region and the third largest city in Senegal.
Kaolack is a city in Senegal.
Ziguinchor is a city in the Casamance region of southern Senegal.
Tambacounda is a city in the Tambacounda Region of southeastern Senegal. It is the main transport hub for Basse Casamance, Guinea and Mali.
center of Mouride religious brotherhood
Kafountine is a coastal village in the Casamance region of Senegal. The village traditionally lives from fishing and rice cultivation, but tourism is developing rapidly thanks to the beach along the filao trees and many camps have been set up, particularly around ecotourism.
Podor is a town in Northern Senegal. It is the northernmost town in Senegal, and perhaps the quaintest.
Niokolo Koba is a national park in the Tambacounda Region of in south eastern Senegal near the Guinea border. It's been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Places in Senegal on the World Heritage List.
Niokolo-Koba National Park
Listed 1981
Gorée
Listed 1978
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
Listed 1981
Bassari Country
Listed 2012
Saloum Delta
Listed 2011
Island of Saint-Louis
Listed 2000
Stone Circles of Senegambia
Listed 2006
Diorom Boumak
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Cap Vert-Thies is a region in Senegal. It includes the Cap-Vert Peninsula and the administrative region of Thies.
Central Senegal is a region in Senegal.
Northern Senegal is a region in Senegal composed of the administrative regions of St. Louis, Louga, and Matam.
The Casamance is the region of Senegal south of The Gambia. Centered on the Casamance River, the region is soaked with mangrove forests, speckled with charming villages, and lined with the best beaches in all of Senegal.
The Tambacounda Region is in the southeast of Senegal. The article also covers the Kédougou Region.
Public transport and paid services in Senegal.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Senegal.
Finding apps for Senegal…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Dakar · International · DSS
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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 Dakar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 24° | 22° | 22° | 21° | 23° | 25° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 28° | 26° |
| Avg. low | 20° | 19° | 19° | 20° | 22° | 24° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 26° | 23° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 11 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 79 | 191 | 170 | 49 | 9 | 13 |
| Humidity | 70% | 76% | 83% | 88% | 88% | 86% | 84% | 84% | 83% | 79% | 73% | 69% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$115
Per person, per day
Luxury
$305
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $65 | $180 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
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 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Senegal. Senegal is generally a safe destination for travelers.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Senegal.
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