Travel Essentials › Western Sahara
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types C and E, 220 V. Emergency: Police 19 or 190, Ambulance 15 or 150, Fire 15 or 150. Tipping: Small tips of 5-10% in cafes and restaurants are customary, as in Morocco. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Open The Western Sahara Trip Kit
Types C and E, 220 V
| Police | 19 or 190 |
| Ambulance | 15 or 150 |
| Fire | 15 or 150 |
Small tips of 5-10% in cafes and restaurants are customary, as in Morocco.
Greetings. A handshake is common; among the same sex, cheek kisses may follow in familiar settings.
Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees away from beach/water-sport areas, in line with conservative Muslim norms.
Right hand. Use the right hand for eating and exchanging items.
Moroccan-administered towns (Laayoune, Dakhla) are safe and calm for visitors, but the territory is politically disputed and parts are off-limits.
Taxi/transport overcharging. Agree grand-taxi fares before departure; foreigners are sometimes quoted higher prices.
Unofficial guides. Rare given low tourist numbers, but confirm any guide is licensed before paying.
Women travelers. Dress modestly to minimize attention; harassment is less common here than in busier Moroccan cities due to low tourist volume.
Criminalized
Moroccan law applies: consensual same-sex acts are illegal under Article 489 of the penal code, punishable by 6 months to 3 years in prison, and enforcement occurs.
| Coffee (café) | 15 MAD | $1.50 |
| Local bus or metro ride | 20 MAD (shared grand taxi) | $2.00 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | 120 MAD | $12 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | 200 MAD | $20 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | 500 MAD | $50 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | 650 MAD | $65 |
2026-09
October to April is best, with cooler temperatures and steady winds that make Dakhla a top kitesurfing destination; summer is very hot.