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Travel Guide
Visiting Mauritania
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Avoid Some Regions
UK FCDO: Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice.
Updated 2025-12-10
Discover
Top Attractions in Mauritania
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Banc d'Arguin National Park
Stretching across 12,000 square kilometres of coastline between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, this UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses sand dunes, tidal mudflats, shallow coastal waters, and small islands that together form one of the most important waterbird habitats on earth. Millions of migratory birds from Europe and Siberia stop here each year alongside breeding colonies of flamingos, pelicans, and terns. Traditional Imraguen fishing communities still practise ancient techniques within the park's boundaries.
UNESCO World Heritage
Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Mauritania. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Mauritania.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 101 and ask for an ambulance. The Mauritania authorities may not answer calls to this number. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Mau
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police117
Ambulance101
Fire118
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Mauritania
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Mauritania page at Yoogo.
The currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU), which replaced the old ouguiya (MRO) in 2018 at a rate of 10:1. Card payments are rarely accepted outside a small number of hotels in Nouakchott, so it is advisable to carry sufficient cash in local currency, as ATMs are limited and unreliable outside the capital.
Mauritania presents varied conditions across its vast territory, and the situation can change. Consult your government's official travel advisory before departure and register with your embassy on arrival in Nouakchott.
Transport between major towns relies on shared taxis (known as bush taxis or sept-places), which depart when full from designated stations in each town. For remote desert areas such as the Adrar Plateau, a hired four-wheel-drive vehicle with a knowledgeable local guide is the standard approach, as paved roads are limited and desert tracks require specialist navigation.
The period from November to March offers the most comfortable conditions for travel, with daytime temperatures ranging between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius and little risk of rain. From May onwards temperatures rise sharply across the desert interior, and July to September brings seasonal rains that can cause flooding around Nouakchott.
Arabic (specifically the Hassaniya dialect) is the national language and is widely spoken, while Pular, Soninke, and Wolof are recognised national languages of the country's various ethnic communities. French is understood in government and business contexts in Nouakchott and Atar, but English is rarely spoken outside international hotels, so a few basic Arabic phrases will be warmly appreciated.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from or transiting through countries where yellow fever transmission is a risk. Recommended vaccinations typically include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningitis, and rabies, and malaria prophylaxis is advisable for travel to the southern regions; consult a travel health clinic well before departure.
Tipping is not a strong local custom but is appreciated in tourist-facing services. A tip of around 10 per cent is reasonable in restaurants that do not include a service charge, and guides and drivers for desert excursions generally expect a gratuity of a similar proportion of the tour cost.