Dakar travel guide
Senegal
A city on a peninsula at the westernmost point of mainland Africa, with Atlantic surf, a strong music scene and colourful painted fishing boats. Dakar moves to mbalax, and its people take teranga, hospitality, seriously.
Essentials
- Language
- French (official); Wolof is the everyday language
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Plugs
- Types C, D, E and F, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 17 for police, 18 for the fire brigade, 1515 for SAMU medical help
- Tipping
- Not obligatory; rounding up or leaving 5-10% in restaurants is appreciated.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $35-55, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $90-150, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Dakar
- Plateau: the old centre, with Kermel market, Place de l'Indépendance and the ferry port.
- Ngor: a fishing village with a beach and a short pirogue ride to Ngor Island.
- Ouakam: near the African Renaissance Monument and the seaside Mosque of the Divinity.
Getting around Dakar
Taxis are the usual way around; agree the fare before you get in. The TER commuter train and the electric BRT rapid buses cover some routes out of the centre.
Best time to visit Dakar
November to May, the dry season, with the most comfortable heat from December to April.
Top things to do in Dakar
- Spend a morning on car-free Gorée Island, with its colourful houses and the House of Slaves museum
- See the Museum of Black Civilisations, which opened in 2018 in the city centre
- Go up the African Renaissance Monument above Ouakam for views along the coast
- Watch the pirogues land their catch at Soumbédioune in the late afternoon
- Surf or take a lesson at Ngor or Yoff, where the Atlantic swell is reliable
What to eat in Dakar
- Thiéboudienne: the national dish of fish, broken rice and vegetables cooked in tomato
- Yassa: chicken or fish in a sharp sauce of lemon and slow-cooked onions
- Mafé: a rich groundnut stew with meat, served over rice
- Bissap: a cold, sweet drink made from hibiscus flowers
Day trips from Dakar
- Lac Rose: a salt lake whose water can turn pink in the dry season, about an hour north-east
- Bandia Reserve: a fenced reserve with giraffe, rhino and baobabs, about an hour and a half south-east
- Toubab Dialaw: a quiet fishing village with cliffs and a beach, around an hour south
Local etiquette
Senegal is mostly Muslim, so dress modestly away from the beach and take time over greetings, which are long and important. Ask before photographing people.
Staying connected
Orange and other networks sell SIM cards with a passport, coverage is good in the city, and Wi-Fi is common in cafés and guesthouses.
Staying safe
Bag snatching and pickpocketing happen in the Plateau and around markets, and persistent hustlers can be wearing; a firm, friendly no works. Atlantic currents are strong, so swim where lifeguards or locals do.
A local tip
Take the morning ferry from the port to Gorée Island and give its House of Slaves museum the time it deserves.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Dakar on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Dakar for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Dakar, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Dakar
- What currency is used in Dakar?
- Dakar uses the West African CFA franc (XOF).
- What is the emergency number in Dakar?
- In Dakar, call 17 for police, 18 for the fire brigade, 1515 for SAMU medical help.
- When is the best time to visit Dakar?
- November to May, the dry season, with the most comfortable heat from December to April.
- How much does a day in Dakar cost?
- Roughly $35-55 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-150 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Dakar?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Dakar without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.