The Gambia Tourist Traps

  Like Well trained seals(just not as...
by rob-craig
 
  • Like Well trained seals(just not as cute!)
      Like Well trained seals(just not as...
    by rob-craig
  • Friendly youngsters
      Friendly youngsters
    by grets
  • Beach with salesmen
      Beach with salesmen
    by grets
  • engine problems.
      engine problems.
    by johanl
  • Audience participation
      Audience participation
    by grets
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Money changers

by johndavid1988

When you are out and about you will find locals coming up to you and offer you to change money. Be aware of those offering a high rate as it sometimes turns out that they fool you. Hidden in a bunch of 100's you will find some 25s. Or they will just give you a few notes short. So always count your money.....but when you start doing that they will tell you hurry hurry but it is illegal to change on the street. Our advice - change at a exchange office or bank still keep your cool and count the money properly

Beach Touts...

by mart_blade

Pretty much any beach along the commercialised hotel stretches on the coast are dotted with a mixture of beggars and locals with sales skills that would put most corporate high flyers to shame. Be warned, the hotel staff tend to employ local folk to patrol the borders to stop them hard selling you so if you must venture out of the confines then you're on your own, and they give you a really hard sell and pressure for money. If you're really not interested you can make it known but expect to make the point a few times first! Gambia is a wonderful country and very friendly, if you don't fancy spending all your time on the beach there are plenty of tours and excursions in the interior of the country, be sure to go in a group though; with people who know the local value of things or expect to pay sometimes 5 times over the odds!

Green Tourist Taxis

by jwmlee

The Green Tourist taxis are not different from their yellow cousins other than colour and price! Walk out of the controlled tourist zones avoiding various touts, negotiate a competitive price with a yellow taxi or better still take a bush taxi - the large vans which take set routes. Just keep in mind they only leave when they are full. A lengthy wait may be the price of bargain fare. Travel at peak times may be problematic and if you are lucky you will share your ride with some livestock! Negotiate your price. The taxis attempted to charge prices that would make a British taxi driver blush!

At the beach

by alisonclaire

Whilst on the beach be aware of all those who want to be your friend and ten minutes later are putting their hand out saying "give from your heart!" they want money off you,, dont get me wrong i have met lots of lovely people in gambia, that is the reason why i have been 3 times in 18 months i just love the locals,, but like every where in the world you get the ones who are just after what they can get from you, another is they say they are going to give you something they have made,, it is a gift from them,, then ten minutes later they are asking you to pay for it,, if you dont want it,, dont take and certainly dont pay for it!! whilst eating at the touristy bits you seem to get inudated with people coming up all the time trying to sell things to you,, hey im not saying turn them away because i too have bought some lovely paintings from the locals just be carefull thats all.

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local guides are best

by sheriebet

The holiday company reps will try to sell you their trips.They do this within the first 24 hours of your arrival,before you have time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings.They will advise against using the local guys as your guides,telling you that it may not be safe.DO NOT BELIEVE A WORD OF IT.The local guys will give a better service for a fraction of the price and you are then supporting the economy of the Gambia and not lining the pockets of the travel company.Remember the average wage for locals is £10 per week.If you are anywhere near the Palm Beach Hotel at Kotu Beach go and find Seedy who is the pool attendant.He will look after you well and take you on any trips that you like.Say that Sherie and Mark recomended him.He is an Honest hardworking family man.

School visits

by rob-craig

Like a couple of suckers we took pens,pencils ,books,etc,etc AND GAVE MONEY TOO!DON'T YOU BE FOOLED,yes this is a poor nation but the more we do the less they will try to help themselves.Basically the trick is the money goes straight into the teachers pockets and not into the school itself Definately do not give any money

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Bumster Tricks

by geordiebutcher

A local bumster noticed my wife had several mosquitoe bites on her arms and legs. English mosquitoe cream no good" he said and picked up a jar of cream from a stall in the market. He opened the jar and said "Smell, coco butter very good protection from mosquitoes" and smeared cream down my wife's arm "Only 450 dalasis" he said. I replied "No thanks" by then the stall holder joined in "How much will you pay me" he said. I replied "Nothing, I do not want your coco butter" "You have already used it" he shouted, to which I replied "No your friend used it, so he can pay for it but I'm certainly not giving you 450 dalasis for a tub of coco butter" I then walked away leaving the bumster and the sall holder arguing. That particular bumster never came near us again. We did later buy a jar of coco butter for 50 dalasis only to find it was just a cheap skin cream. (But it does smell nice) Just...

Money changers on Gambia/Senegal border

by Winksc

The illegal money changers on the border offer a much better rate than the banksbut ask them the rate then do the maths in your head or on your own calculator. They have a trick I cant quite explain it but it brings up a slightly lower amount which is negative so you might notice the minus sighn next to itAlso dont get seen doing this you wont get in trouble but the other guy will

A bit too touristy!

by TracyG

Taking a visit to Jufureh to see Binde Kinte (a decendnant of Kunta Kinte, a famous slave taken to America around 200 yrs ago.) It is very very touristy, with people arriving by the bus load, waiting to have their photo taken with Binde, give it a miss if you want to avoid the crowds. Get your photo taken! Visit the much smaller villages that have unique character.

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A bit too expensive!

by TracyG

A trip out to James Island, costs about US$15 return, and all you can see is a bit of wall and a canon - definately not worth that much money. Take this time to really look around, especially after paying so much to get there. Take a boat trip into the mangrove swamps!

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Tourist Attractions in The Gambia

Top 3 Hotels in The Gambia

Kombo Beach Hotel  Banjul

 1 Review and 330 Opinions  The Kombo Beach is the only hotel we have been to in The Gambia, we stayed here the first time and... 

 Hotels in Banjul

Kairaba Beach Hotel  Kololi

 2 Reviews and 282 Opinions  well such an extraordinarily well run venue in Gambia. German influence, very efficient. What... 

 Hotels in Kololi

Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort & Spa  Serekunda

 364 Opinions

 Hotels in Serekunda

9 Hotels in The Gambia
 
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Reviews and photos of The Gambia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for The Gambia sightseeing.

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Tourist Traps: Cities in The Gambia
  1. Kololi Tourist Traps
  2. Banjul Tourist Traps
  3. Serekunda Tourist Traps
  4. Kotu Tourist Traps

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Popular Regions in The Gambia

Western Division Tourist Traps  City of Banjul Tourist Traps 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi, we are going to Gambia on the 22nd Feb and our GP has given us a private prescription for Malarone. It's quite expensive and I... 

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A: It's not cheap anywhere as it is a relatively new and very effective anti-malarial drug, but is encumbered by patents, so there is only a single manufacturer, hence the... 

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