Dakar Warnings or Dangers

Dakar felt more of a hassle than violent. Coming from New Orleans, where we have been robbed at gun point and had a man shot to death outside our back fence, we probably viewed Dakar a little differently. However, being pick pocketed in Senegal is a major possibility- my husband was pick pocketed in the mosque in Touba while he prayed sitting on the ground- it was during a major celebration, so many more people than normal. He had a money belt, but had 80 bucks in his zipper pants pocket because the belt was hot and he did not want to use it that day. ALWAYS keep your big money in a hidden belt or pouch under your clothing. Don't even bring a purse with you. Just keep 2000-5000 CFA in a buttoned pocket for incidentals. Keep your camera strapped across you with a neck strap.

Credit cards and money machines- don't assume they will work with your card, even if you have confirmed with your bank your travel. It was a crapshoot whether my Chase debit card would work at Ecobanks. Citibank cards worked each time I made a Visa charge and wish I had gotten a cash number from them. As far as US cards go, Citibank is the only one that does not charge a 3 percent overseas percentage. You do not want to be in Dakar/Senegal without cash, so plan very well with this. We brought a little of everything- US cash, cards and Amex travelers checks. The travelers checks were useless. Only Ecobank would take them, but they wanted the receipt of purchase, which we did not have.

Get a room with a safe. We ended up keeping our room in Dakar even when traveling for a day or two outside of the city. That was not our plan, but it was worth the investment in not worrying about bringing everything we had to smaller towns where hotels were a bit sketchier.

To me, downtown St. Louis had a scarier vibe than Dakar and was the only place we felt a little threatened when out alone.

We were mainly traveling with a friend from Senegal, and I would suggest that you ask your hotel if they can arrange for someone to walk around with you for a small fee if you feel uncomfortable. You will be helping yourself and helping a person in Senegal earn some money. Walking around with a local makes things a lot easier, particularly if you are going to the markets.

And finally, take a day off and just chill in your hotel and watch movies or read. Get a hotel that is near the majority of the things you plan to do so you can scoot back in when you feel stressed out. We stayed at the Farid and felt quite safe there. We were less inclined to go out a lot late, though, as we only speak a little French and do not have the best sense of direction. Keep a little map folded up in a pocket. We got turned around a couple of times, which was a little scary for us.

Don't fall for scams- read up on them- a few were tried on us, but we were prepared. Do a google search for Senegal or Dakar scams.

The people of Senegal are for the most part very very kind and helpful, though, and it was a great experience. There will be moments of chaos- just stay calm and try to find the humor in those moments- even if it is in retrospect.

Dakar Hotels

Dakar Warnings or Dangers

Visiting Dakar?

Visiting Dakar?

Dakar Hotels