Travel Essentials

Senegal: What To Know Before You Go

Q: What is the emergency number in Senegal?

Police: 17, Ambulance: 1515, Fire: 18

Plugs: Types C, D, E and K, 230 V. Emergency: Police 17, Ambulance 1515, Fire 18. Tipping: Round up or leave about 5-10% in restaurants; small tips for guides, drivers and porters are customary. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water..

Open The Senegal Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types C, D, E and K, 230 V

Emergency Numbers

Police	17
Ambulance	1515
Fire	18

Tipping

Round up or leave about 5-10% in restaurants; small tips for guides, drivers and porters are customary.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever; rabies and hepatitis B for some travelers.
Malaria: Risk throughout the country; ask about preventive tablets.

Apps To Download Before You Go

Yango: The leading ride-hailing app in Dakar, with fixed prices that avoid haggling with yellow taxis.
Heetch: A popular alternative ride-hailing app in Dakar.
Yassir: Another ride and delivery app widely used in the capital.
WhatsApp: Hotels, guides and drivers all communicate via WhatsApp.
Wave: The most-used mobile money app in Senegal, with QR payments in shops, taxis and markets and very low fees.
Orange Money: The other big mobile wallet, handy for bill payments and transfers with an Orange SIM.
Dakar Dem Dikk / TER: The city bus company and the new suburban train (TER) to Diamniadio and the airport area; the BRT bus line opened in 2024.
Paps / Yobante: Local delivery apps for restaurant meals and parcels in Dakar.
Orange Sénégal / Free / Expresso: Apps of the three operators for buying data passes; Orange has the best coverage outside cities.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Greetings are lengthy and important; take time to ask about family and well-being before business. Shake hands, greeting Muslims with "Salaam aleikum"; wait for women to offer a hand, or touch your heart.

Dress modestly. Dress and behave modestly in public outside beach/resort areas, especially during Ramadan.

Mosque etiquette. Remove shoes before entering a mosque and dress conservatively when visiting religious sites.

Safety And Scams

Senegal is one of the more politically stable countries in West Africa and generally safe for tourists, though standard urban precautions are needed in Dakar's crowded markets and transit hubs.

Currency exchange fraud. Street money-changers may hand over counterfeit notes; exchange currency at banks or reputable bureaus.

Online romance and financial scams. Scammers target foreigners via dating sites and social media; never send money to someone you have not met in person.

Women travelers. Women travelers should dress modestly outside tourist zones and stay alert in crowded areas; harassment can occur but serious incidents are uncommon with normal caution.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Criminalized

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and punishable by up to ten years' imprisonment, with additional laws criminalizing 'promotion' of LGBTQI+ rights; these laws are actively enforced, and public displays of affection or social media posts have led to arrests, so there is no safety for being openly LGBTQ+ in Senegal.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	XOF 2,300	$3.50
Local bus or metro ride	XOF 1,300	$2
Mid-range restaurant meal	XOF 6,500	$10
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	XOF 8,000	$12
Mid-range hotel (night)	XOF 65,000	$100
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	XOF 45,000	$70

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

The dry season, November to May, is best for pleasant, mild weather and easy access to beaches, national parks and cities; the June-October rainy season brings heat, humidity and occasional flooding/landslides that can damage roads.

Phrases

Basic French phrases · Basic Wolof phrases