Travel Essentials › Angola
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Type C, 220 V. Emergency: Police 113, Ambulance 112, Fire 115. Tipping: About 10% in restaurants is customary in Luanda; small tips elsewhere are appreciated. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Type C, 220 V
| Police | 113 |
| Ambulance | 112 |
| Fire | 115 |
About 10% in restaurants is customary in Luanda; small tips elsewhere are appreciated.
Greetings. A warm handshake is standard; Portuguese is the main language, so a few Portuguese phrases are appreciated.
Photography. Ask permission before photographing people, and never photograph government, military or infrastructure sites without clearance.
Pace and formality. Time is treated flexibly; punctuality is less strict than in Europe or North America, and greetings/small talk precede business.
Petty crime (pickpocketing, phone and bag snatching) is a real concern in Luanda, especially after dark; violent crime linked to poverty and inequality does occur. Cabinda province (separatist activity) and the border area with DR Congo in Lunda Norte see occasional kidnapping and banditry and should be avoided; these risks do not affect Luanda or the main coastal tourist areas.
Overcharging at markets and taxis. Agree on prices before buying or riding; foreigners are routinely quoted higher prices.
Fake police / bribe requests. Ask for identification and, if unsure, insist on going to a police station rather than paying on the spot.
Women travelers. Should avoid walking alone at night and dress modestly; harassment can occur but is manageable with normal urban precautions.
Legal · Use Caution
Same-sex relations were decriminalized in 2021 and Angola's penal code bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, but social acceptance remains limited outside a small urban minority — discretion is still advisable.
| Coffee (café) | 2,300 Kz | $2.50 |
| Local bus or metro ride (candongueiro) | 450 Kz | $0.50 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | 27,000 Kz | $30 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | 45,000 Kz | $50 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | 180,000 Kz | $200 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | 110,000 Kz | $120 |
2026-09
The cooler, dry 'cacimbo' season (June-September) is most comfortable for travel. The rainy season peaks December-April, with heaviest rains around February-March.
Basic Portuguese phrases · Basic Umbundu phrases · Basic Kikongo phrases